Rotel RAS-5000 Integrated Amplifier - Black

A Streaming Amplifier That Takes Your Television Too

Rotel calls the RAS-5000 an amplified streamer. The name is an accurate one. The network player is built in, and so is 140 watts per channel of Class AB power. Into 4 ohms that rises to 220 watts a channel.

Streaming runs over Wi-Fi, or over the wired network port. AirPlay 2 and Chromecast are both built in. Spotify, Tidal and internet radio run through the free RAS-5000 app. The amplifier is Roon Ready, rather than merely Roon Tested.

The feature that sets it apart at this price is the HDMI eARC input. Connect it to your television's ARC socket. The TV then sends two-channel audio straight to the amplifier, so a single box handles both the music and the films.

The Analog Side Is Deliberately Spare

There is exactly one analog input, labeled AUX, and it is unbalanced RCA. There is no phono stage and no balanced XLR. Rotel built this around its digital and network inputs, and the back panel reflects that choice.

Reviewers noticed. 7Review wrote that "Rotel has taken a minimalist approach to the available analog inputs," and added that "an XLR connection would have been appreciated, even though the RAS-5000 is clearly designed as a streaming specialist."

What the Digital Section Accepts

Coaxial and optical inputs take SPDIF up to 192kHz and 24-bit. PC-USB goes to 384kHz and 24-bit in USB Audio Class 2, which needs a driver installed first. Digital signal-to-noise measures 105dB.

MQA and MQA Studio both decode. A USB socket on the back plays files from a flash drive, covering MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV and OGG. Bluetooth with aptX handles a phone that is not on your network.

On the analog side the amplifier measures 10Hz to 100kHz within half a decibel. Signal-to-noise is 103dB and the damping factor is 290. Distortion stays under 0.03%, which is respectable for this much power.

Outputs, and the One Speaker Pair

A variable PRE output feeds an external power amplifier if you outgrow the 140 watts. A separate SUB output connects a subwoofer. Headphones plug into the front panel, and bass and treble adjust by up to 10dB at 100Hz and 10kHz.

One thing to plan around: there is a single pair of speaker terminals. If you were hoping to switch between two pairs, or run a second room from the amplifier itself, this is not the model for that.

What Reviewers Are Saying

The RAS-5000 won the EISA Best Streaming Amplifier Award for 2024-2025. Ibrahim Mohsin reviewed it for Speaker Feed in March 2025 and found "bass performance is a standout feature, delivering tight, controlled low-end with excellent definition."

He also heard "an impressively wide and deep soundstage" and "a remarkably neutral tonal balance, with midrange frequencies sounding rich and intimate." 7Review scored it 9.5 out of 10, calling out "stunning detail" across "complex timbres and sound textures."

Neither review lists a sonic fault, so take the limits from the specification instead. The shape of the back panel is deliberate, and worth checking against your own sources before you buy, and all worth checking against your own system before you buy.

Who Is This Integrated Amplifier Best For?

• You want the streamer inside the amplifier — AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify, Tidal and Roon Ready, with no extra box and no extra cable.
• The television matters — HDMI eARC is rare on a two-channel integrated at this price, and it means one remote for both.
• Your speakers need real power — 140 watts into 8 ohms, 220 into 4, with a damping factor of 290.
• You use Roon — Roon Ready certification means the amplifier is an endpoint in its own right.
• Your sources are digital — HDMI eARC, the network and the built-in streaming cover a television and a whole library, so one analog input is one more than most systems need. See our turntables if a deck is joining later.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Speakers go to the single pair of terminals. Put the amplifier on your network with an Ethernet cable to the NETWORK port, or use the Wi-Fi antenna, then finish setup in the RAS-5000 app on iOS or Android.

A television connects over HDMI to its eARC socket. A disc player or set-top box goes to coaxial or optical, and a computer to PC-USB. One analog source takes the AUX input.

If you add a subwoofer, it takes the SUB output on the back. The PRE output is there for the day you want a larger power amplifier and would rather keep the streamer you already know.

Pairs Well With

Building around the RAS-5000? Here are some good companions:

• Speakers: 140 watts a channel suits a real floorstander — see our Floorstanding Speakers.
• Subwoofer: The SUB output is already there — see our Subwoofers.
• Speaker cable: One pair of terminals, so buy one good run — see our Speaker Cables.
• Headphones: There is a jack on the front panel — see our Headphones.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much power does the RAS-5000 deliver?

140 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 220 watts per channel into 4 ohms, from a Class AB output stage, with distortion under 0.03%.

Which streaming services does it support?

AirPlay 2 and Chromecast are built in, and Spotify, Tidal and internet radio run through the RAS-5000 app. It is also Roon Ready. Rotel notes that further services may be added over time.

Can I connect my television?

Yes, over HDMI. The input supports eARC, so connecting it to your TV's ARC socket sends two-channel audio to the amplifier without a separate receiver.

Is there a phono input for a turntable?

A turntable needs an outboard phono preamplifier, which will then use the single AUX input.

Does it support MQA and hi-res files?

Yes. MQA and MQA Studio both decode. PC-USB accepts up to 384kHz at 24-bit with a driver installed, and the coaxial and optical inputs reach 192kHz at 24-bit.

Is it covered by a warranty?

Yes. Rotel covers this amplifier in North America for five years, parts and labor. Coverage requires purchase from an authorized Rotel dealer and online registration within 30 days of purchase.

See It in Action

Andrew Robinson reviews the RAS-5000 and covers how it handles streaming duties:

Taps Das treats it as a complete one-box system, with setup and listening notes:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about streaming amplifiers, HDMI eARC in a two-channel system, or adding a subwoofer? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.