Rotel

Rotel Michi X3 Series 2 Integrated Amplifier

  • front view of rotel michi x3 series 2 integrated amp
  • back panel of rotel michi x3 series 2 integrated amp

X3 S2

$8,000.00
$8,000.00

In-Store Only

Contact Us

Please call us at 1-905-270-3440 or simply fill out the form below for ordering & more info.

Product Overview

The Michi X3 Series 2 is a high-power integrated amplifier from Rotel's Michi Reference Series. It delivers 235 watts per channel into 8 ohms (FTC rated) and up to 350 watts per channel into 4 ohms, drawing on a single in-house wound toroidal transformer and 60,000 microfarads of capacitor storage. The amplification stage uses 10 pairs of Sanken bipolar output transistors per channel, with a damping factor of 350.

The onboard DAC is the ESS SABRE ES9028PRO 8-channel chip, supporting PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256. Digital inputs include three coaxial and three optical S/PDIF connections and a USB-B input. The Michi X3 Series 2 is Roon Tested and receives audio wirelessly over aptX HD Bluetooth. A moving-magnet phono stage handles turntable input directly without an external phono preamp.

Analog connectivity includes three unbalanced RCA line inputs and one balanced XLR input. Speaker terminals are provided in two sets per channel for bi-wiring. A preamplifier output and two subwoofer outputs allow integration with external power amplifiers or active subwoofers. Tone controls offer plus or minus 10dB at 100Hz and 10kHz.

The Michi X3 Series 2 is suited to medium-to-large listening rooms where a single unit handles amplification, source switching, digital conversion, and phono duties. It drives loudspeakers rated down to 4 ohms without requiring a separate power amplifier or DAC.

Where It Fits in the Michi Lineup

The Michi X3 Series 2 is the entry point into the Rotel Michi Reference Series integrated amplifiers. It shares the ESS SABRE ES9028PRO DAC platform and the same chassis format as the X5 Series 2 but uses a single toroidal transformer rather than dual, a moving-magnet phono stage only rather than MM/MC, and produces 235 watts per channel into 8 ohms versus 350 in the X5 Series 2. For systems that do not require moving-coil phono input or the additional power headroom of the X5 Series 2, the X3 Series 2 covers all core functions in a lighter and narrower chassis.

Features

  • Class AB amplifier.
  • ESS SABRE ES9028PRO 8-Channel DAC (32-bit 768kHz) configured for STEREO.
  • PC-USB with DSD 4X decoding and MQA rendering.
  • Bluetooth with aptX HD and AAC.
  • Custom engineered toroidal transformer.
  • Dimmable front panel TFT high resolution display.
  • IP and RS232 2-way communication for control system integration.
  • Supports MQA and MQA Studio.
  • Certified Roon Tested.
  • Michi remote control included.

Specifications

Overview

  • Type: Solid-state, two-channel integrated amplifier
  • Built-in: DAC, phono stage, headphone amplifier

Amplifier Performance

  • Power Output: 200 W per channel @ 8 Ω
  • Power Output: 350 W per channel @ 4 Ω
  • Bandwidth: 10 Hz – 100 kHz
  • Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.008%
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 102 dB

Digital Audio Support

  • S/PDIF (Coaxial / Optical): Up to 24-bit / 192 kHz
  • USB: Up to 32-bit / 384 kHz
  • Bluetooth: aptX HD

Impedance

  • Input Impedance (High Level): 100 kΩ
  • Input Impedance (Phono): 47 kΩ
  • Output Impedance (Preamp): 100 Ω
  • Headphone Loads: Not specified

Inputs

  • Phono Input: 1 × MM (RCA)
  • Line Inputs: 3 × RCA (single-ended)
  • Balanced Input: 1 × XLR
  • Digital Inputs: 6 × S/PDIF (3 × Coaxial, 3 × Optical)
  • USB Input: 1 × USB
  • Bluetooth: aptX HD

Outputs & Control

  • Preamp Output: 1 × RCA (pre-out)
  • Control: IR, RS232 power control
  • 12 V Triggers: 2 connections

Physical Specifications

  • Dimensions (H × W × D): 150 × 485 × 452 mm
  • Weight: 28.9 kg

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Michi X3 Series 2?

The Michi X3 Series 2 is a stereo integrated amplifier delivering 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 350 watts into 4 ohms, combining a Class AB amplifier, ESS SABRE ES9028PRO DAC, MM phono stage, aptX HD Bluetooth, and headphone output in a single chassis. Available at Trutone Electronics in Mississauga, Ontario.

What input connections does the Michi X3 Series 2 support?

The Michi X3 Series 2 accepts three RCA line inputs, one balanced XLR input, MM phono, three coaxial and three optical digital inputs, and a USB-B input supporting PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD, plus aptX HD Bluetooth.

What DAC does the Michi X3 Series 2 use?

The Michi X3 Series 2 uses the ESS SABRE ES9028PRO 8-channel DAC supporting 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD via USB, replacing the AKM chip from the original X3 as part of 90 component improvements in the Series 2 revision.

Does the Michi X3 Series 2 include a Moving Coil phono stage?

The Michi X3 Series 2 includes a Moving Magnet phono stage only. MC capability is exclusive to the X5 Series 2 and P5 Series 2; listeners with an MC cartridge would need an external step-up device or MC phono preamp.

How does the Michi X3 Series 2 sound?

The Michi X3 Series 2 is consistently described as smooth, musical, and neutral with strong bass definition and an excellent sense of ease at volume, with the headphone amplifier and phono stage both praised for their transparency.

What changed from the original Michi X3 to the Michi X3 Series 2?

The Michi X3 Series 2 incorporates 90 component upgrades over the original X3, with the most significant change being the replacement of the AKM DAC with the ESS SABRE ES9028PRO, while preserving the original model's analogue character and punchy dynamics.

Does the Michi X3 Series 2 support Bluetooth streaming and Roon?

The Michi X3 Series 2 supports Bluetooth with aptX HD and AAC and is Roon Tested via USB. It does not include built-in network streaming; Roon playback requires a Roon Core outputting to the X3 S2 over USB.

How does the Michi X3 Series 2 compare to the Michi X5 Series 2?

The Michi X5 Series 2 delivers more power at 350W versus 200W into 8 ohms, uses dual rather than single toroidal transformers, adds an MC phono stage alongside MM, and includes one additional RCA line input, with reviewers describing the X5 as having a slightly darker and denser presentation versus the X3's livelier character.

How does the Michi X3 Series 2 fit into the Michi lineup and who is it for?

The Michi X3 Series 2 is the entry point to the Michi Reference Series, suited for audiophiles who want full Michi engineering in a one-box solution with a capable DAC, phono stage, and headphone amplifier without requiring the additional power or MC phono of the X5 Series 2.