The Rotel A11 is a classic integrated amplifier, as they were during the heyday of budget hi-fi in the 1990s. The main sign of the times is the presence of a Bluetooth module with support for aptX and AAC codecs, while, oddly enough, this is the only way to supply a digital signal to the built-in DAC – there are no physical inputs here.
In principle, if the main scenario involves using an amplifier paired with a branded CD player, then the move is quite logical. But vinyl lovers will be pleased with the presence of a built-in phono stage for MM heads. About ten to fifteen years ago, manufacturers massively abandoned them in integrated amplifiers, citing the fact that no one needed them anymore. However, the wheel of samsara has made another turn, and now fashionable youth are demanding the ability to connect a turntable to any Hi-Fi amplifier.
The declared power of the Rotel A11 is 50 watts per channel into an 8 ohm load. It would seem that this is not much, but the “watts” here are honest and correct, just look at the device’s power supply. It has a solid proprietary toroidal transformer installed, and electrolytes with a total capacity of more than 20,000 microfarads are found in the filtering part. Combined with a damping factor of 140 units, you can expect the model to work confidently with most speaker systems in its class. The device has a tone block; its level is displayed on a milky-white LCD display located in the center of the front panel.
There is also information about the input involved, as well as the current volume level. Next to the display there is a headphone jack made of a 3.5 mm mini-jack. Switching between inputs is carried out using separate keys. In addition to the mentioned Phono input, the user has 4 line inputs on RCA, as well as a separate output from the pre-amplifier stage for organizing a bi-amping circuit. There are also trigger outputs, an IR socket and an RS232 interface for quick integration with automated control systems. The package includes a proprietary remote control that can simultaneously work with any Rotel components.
Characteristics of Rotel A11
Output power 2 x 50 W (20 Hz – 20 kHz, THD: 0.03%, 8 ohms)
Frequency range line inputs: 10 Hz – 100 kHz (± 0.5 dB), phono input: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.5 dB)
Harmonic distortion less than 0.03% (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
Intermodulation distortion less than 0.03%
Damping factor 140
Signal-to-noise ratio line inputs: 100 dB, phono input: 85 dB
Input sensitivity /impedance line inputs: 180 mV/47 kOhm, phono input: 2.3 mV/47 kOhm
Output sensitivity/impedance 1 V/470 Ohm (Pre Out)
HF and LF tone control ± 10 dB (100 Hz/10 kHz)
Bluetooth -built-in module, supports AAC and aptX codecs
Possibility of setting a fixed volume level for each input and for Bluetooth reception yes
LCD brightness adjustment yes
Inputs 4 linear RCA, MM phono preamplifier input (RCA)
3.5 mm outputs for headphones, Pre Out (RCA)
Other switching RS-232 interface, 2 trigger outputs (12 V), IR input, ground terminal Speaker
output 4 pairs of screw terminals
Minimum speaker impedance 4 Ohms
Power consumption 160 W, standby: 0.5 W
Remote control DU RR-AX1401, universal
Dimensions (WxHxD) 430x93x345 mm
Weight 6.9 kg