Rotel A12

I really enjoy the straightforward usefulness of the Rotel A12 integrated amplifier. It provides 60 watts of clean power to drive one or two pairs of speakers — thanks to a custom-designed toroidal power transformer — and a front-panel layout that's easy to understand and operate. There are plenty of analog and digital inputs for connecting sources, and built-in Bluetooth for music streaming. It's not as flashy as some other components, but it's got it where it counts. The A12 has five analog RCA inputs on the back panel, including a phono stage for connecting a turntable with a moving magnet cartridge. Digital sources are well-served, too: there are dual optical and coaxial inputs, plus a USB Type-B port for connecting a PC. A USB Type-A port on front panel handles audio signals from an iPod®, iPhone®, or iPad®. A Wolfson premium 24-bit/192kHz DAC converts incoming digital signals to analog with precision and clarity. And there are a wealth of control options, including an IR input, RS-232 port, and dual ...