The A12 MKII is an integrated amplifier with built-in DAC by Rotel that delivers 60 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms. It was released in 2022. It is a 2-channel design using a Class A/B output stage. A minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. It has a built-in DAC (Texas Instruments (TI) 32-bit/384kHz), so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. It also has a phono input, so a turntable can connect straight to it. The Rotel A12 MKII has an MSRP of $1,100.
Rotel A12 MKII Amplifier Internal View
Rotel replaced the older Rotel A12 with this model. Follow the link to read our detailed comparison of these models:
Compare Rotel A12 MKII vs Rotel A12
There are 10 Rotel amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.
Rotel Integrated Amplifier Series
Performance Specs
One of the most important factors when deciding on an integrated amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements. The Rotel A12 MKII is rated at 60 watts RMS into 8-ohms. Rotel provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.03% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 60 watts into 8-ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) at 0.03%
- 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
- 100dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 60 watts actually play in your room? →
Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →
Which speakers suit the Rotel A12 MKII?
60 W into 8 ohms, rated down to 4 ohms.
We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current
delivery.
Need more power?
Rotel A12 MKII is rated at 60 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our Up to 60 watts band. The next band up is 61 to 90 watts, which is worth about 3.9dB more output. That is a real difference in headroom on peaks, and a modest one in how loud the system plays - power and loudness are not the same thing.
Before buying watts, check what your speakers actually need: the amp and speaker matcher works it out from their sensitivity, impedance and your room.
When pairing the Rotel A12 MKII with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels.
Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.
What size of room is the Rotel A12 MKII Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the Rotel A12 MKII amplifier. Here, taking into account its maximum power parameters, we analyzed its applicability to various size environments:
| Listening Environment |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Average |
| Small Room | Good |
| Mid-size Room | Average |
| Large Room | Poor |
| Very Large Room | Bad |
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the Rotel A12 MKII, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Rotel A12 MKII has total of 4 Analog inputs including 1 Phono Input (MM).
Rotel A12 MKII Back View (Click the image for the larger version)
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 4
- Phono Input
- 2 Optical Digital Input
- 2 Coaxial Digital Input
- USB Input:
- USB-A front(Connects to iOS devices)
- USB-A rear (Charging only)
- USB-B (allows connection to your Windows PC or Mac computer)
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs (A/B switchable)
- Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
- 3.5mm Headphone Output
Bluetooth Connectivity
Rotel A12 MKII features built-in Bluetooth for wireless music streaming from your Bluetooth-enabled devices such as Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android smartphone/tablet, Windows PC, Mac computers/laptops.
Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:
Rotel A12 MKII supports the following Bluetooth Codecs when used with supported devices:
Phono Input
Rotel A12 MKII features one Phono Input which is compatible with
MM (Moving Magnet) type of phono cartridges, you can connect your turntable with MM cartridges directly to this amp without the need for a phono preamp. If you are using an MC cartridge on your turntable, you need to use a phono preamp that has MC phono stage such as the
Cambridge Duo or the
iFi ZEN Phono.
Subwoofer Output
Rotel A12 MKII has Stereo RCA preamp outputs which can be used to connect to a powered subwoofer via an RCA cable ( as long as your sub supports this connection).
Check our
Powered Subwoofers page to find a subwoofer that will work with Rotel A12 MKII amp and your speakers.
DAC and Digital Music
The Rotel A12 MKII's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC. The DAC chip that is used in the A12 MKII is the
Texas Instruments (TI) 32-bit/384kHz, and supports resolutions up to
32-bit, 384KHZ.
Rotel A12 MKII Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓60 watts per channel into 8 ohms.
- ✓Signal-to-noise ratio of 100dB, so the amplifier itself should be inaudible between tracks.
- ✓4 analogue inputs, enough for a full rack of sources.
- ✓Built-in DAC handling 32-bit / 384, so a TV, computer or streamer can connect digitally with nothing in between.
- ✓Digital inputs cover 2 optical, 2 coaxial and USB.
- ✓Phono stage built in (MM), so a turntable needs no separate preamplifier.
- ✓Bluetooth (AptX,AAC,SBC) for playing straight from a phone.
- ✓Pre-outs (Stereo RCA) leave room to add a power amplifier or an active subwoofer later.
- ✓A and B speaker terminals, for a second pair or for bi-wiring.
- ✓Headphone output (3.5mm).
- ✓Has tone controls.
- ✓5-year parts warranty, longer than most of the market.
- ✓Detachable mains lead (IEC 2-prong).
- ✗The phono stage is moving-magnet only; a moving-coil cartridge would need a step-up or an external stage.
Rotel A12 MKII External Dimensions and Weight
Rotel A12 MKII has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 3-11/16inch x 17inch x 14-7/8inch (94.0mm x 432.0mm x 378.0mm ). The unit weighs
8.95 kg (19.7 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the Rotel A12 MKII is approximately 1633.0cm2 / 253.1inch2.
- Width: 432.0mm (17")
- Height: 94.0mm (3-11/16")
- Depth: 378.0mm (14-7/8")
- Weight: 8.95 kg (19.7 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1633.0cm2 / 253.1inch2
- Volume: ~15.4 liter / 4.1 gallon
Available colors
Rotel A12 MKII is available in Black and Silver color options.
What's in the Box of Rotel A12 MKII?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of A12 MKII:
- Stereo integrated amplifier
- 58-inch AC power cord
- Remote control (RR-AX1400)
- 2 AAA batteries
- 5-feet USB-B to USB-A cable
- Quick Installation Guide
- Warranty/Registration Card
- Important Safety Instructions
- Addendum For Roon Test
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the Rotel A12 MKII Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for Rotel A12 MKII
Warranty
5 Years of parts warranty and 5 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the Rotel A12 MKII by the manufacturer.
| General |
| Brand |
Rotel |
| Full Model Name |
Rotel A12 MKII |
| Release Date |
2022 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class A/B |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
60 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
N/A |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
| THD |
0.03% |
| Minimum Impedance |
4 |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
100 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| DAC Specs |
Texas Instruments (TI) 32-bit/384kHz |
| Bluetooth |
Yes |
| WiFi |
|
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
No |
| Apple AirPlay2 |
No |
| DTS Play-Fi |
No |
| Chromecast built-in |
No |
| Roon |
No |
| HEOS |
No |
| BluOS |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
4 |
| Phono Input |
Yes |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
2 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
2 |
| USB Input |
Yes |
| USB Type |
USB-A front(Connects to iOS devices), USB-A rear (Charging only),USB-B (allows connection to your Windows PC or Mac computer) |
| Preamp Outputs |
Stereo RCA |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
No |
| Headphone Output |
3.5mm |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC 2-prong |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
94.0mm (3-11/16") |
| Width |
432.0mm (17") |
| Depth |
378.0mm (14-7/8") |
| Weight |
8.95 kg (19.7 lbs) |
| Available Colors |
Black,Silver |
| OTHER |
| Tone Controls |
Yes |
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |