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MICHI 8 Amp(s)

Michi 8 Amp(s) Review

For reference, previous to the Michi 8 I owned Bob Carver M 350, Pass Labs X350.8.350.5, Atmosphere M60-3.3, Krell amps and several others.

I was interested in these amps after reading Michael Fremer’s review in which he compared these to his $ 170,000 darTZeel NHB-468 amps. Rotel Michi M8 monoblock power amplifier | Stereophile.com

Now, I know due to the extreme cost difference’s they cannot be a one-on-one exchange, but this review definitely got my attention. I mean these amps output almost 2000 watts per channel @ 4 ohms!

So, I ordered a pair, with a 60-day money back guarantee!

Once I received them, some of the things I noticed:

First off, man are these amps heavy! About 140 lbs. each! And the build quality, though not necessarily jewelry like were mighty fine looking (to this ole’ audiophile anyway).

So, I connected them up with my previous speaker cables and fired them up, they sounded pretty good, but I was wondering if they could sound better. So as any self-described audiophile would do I set out to experiment.

What I found was these amps need heavy gauge speaker cables, I mean after all they can produce 1800 watts per channel! So, I bought 2 pairs (bi-wire) of Goertz M-3 Divinity cables. These cables are 7 gauge each. And oh, ah, much better, so, no wimpy thin cables need apply.

And long breakin is required. Out of the box (s), they sounded ok, but they didn’t produce the sound or bass that I thought amps of this power rating should. After 200 hours they were better, but 400 hours were much better. I guess when you consider the massive power supplies used in the design, they needed time to develop. Today, after many hours on them, I am convinced these amps are awesome. Thus, my review.

The soundstage is very wide, deep, dynamic, and inviting. I am again enjoying my audio music collection. Beit cd’s, files or streaming, everything sounds so different and lively.

The Michi name is part of the Rotel family and that in its self made me first think of mi-fi quality. But boy have I been impressed.

These amps must be the best bang for the bucks this century.

ozzy

128x128ozzy
ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,459 posts
 

My Michi Mono amps are very heavy (140lbs). I have them sitting on top of 4” solid Maple amp stand(s). Pictures are on my systems page.

Underneath the stand I installed 2” Audio Points and underneath the Audio points I placed some Herbie’s spike feet gliders so I could move the stand if necessary.

I also placed some Critical Mass Footers underneath the amp.

Now that I am comfortable as to where the amps reside, I decided to experiment a bit.

First off, I removed the Critical Mass Footers. At first listen the soundstage was not as wide, but wait a minute, the bass was deeper! I went back and forth and decided that the overall sound quality was better without the Critical Mass footers.

Next, I removed the Herbie’s gliders. So now, the amps are just sitting on the 4” Maple stands with the 2” Audio Points going straight through the carpet and concrete floor.

To my surprise, my sound quality took on a very deep and well-rounded sound. The bass notes are easily followed, quite impressive.

So, I guess, the extra footers and gliders were holding back the sound quality of my systems potential.

ozzy

calvinj
2,317 posts
 

@ozzy what Amps did you have before you got those. What do you like as opposed to your previous Amps.

ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,459 posts
 

"previous to the Michi 8 I owned Bob Carver M 350, Pass Labs X350.8.350.5, Atmosphere M60-3.3, Krell amps and several others."

The Michi 8 amps have more soundstage, depth and an effortless sound that works very well with my present speakers.

ozzy

yyzsantabarbara
4,804 posts
 

@ozzy The Leedh volume control on the Lumin is great. The only DAC I have owned where the volume control was not terrible. 

ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,459 posts
 

 

yyzsantabarbara

Totally agree!

Going straight from the Lumin to the Michi amps eliminated extra electronics, cabling, and shelf space. Sounds purer.

ozzy

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