Rotel RHQ-10 Phono Preamp - The Best from Rotel - Very RARE

**Please click here to check out our newly launched SkyFi Audio website with additional items for sale**

Quite possibly the best component series ever offered by Rotel.  Part of the famed flagship "MICHI" series comprised of just a few pieces.

A peak inside speaks a million words, just look at the build quality and component selection.  It's the sort of internals you'd expect from one of the big boys like Mark Levinson or Krell, featuring a massive power supply and a ridiculous amount of components for a simple phone preamp.  See our internal pictures which we simply couldn't resist posting.

There are no adjustments on this phono preamp whatsoever, other than a single gain knob in the front which makes it simple to operate and setup.  Just plug in your favorite turntable and you're good to go. 

This "Stereo Phono Equalizer" as Rotel calls it was fully tested in our lab and is working perfectly.

While the front panel is super clean, there are some noticeable scratches on the top, but they're easy to hide if you're placing other components on top. 

Incredibly rare - and priced accordingly.

Click here for a PDF copy of the RHQ-10 Owner's Manual

Click here for a PDF copy of the RHQ-10 Technical/Service Manual

Please click here for detailed specifics regarding our specialized packing process that separates us from the rest.

More From The Most Excellent and Cool Vintage Knob Website:

Michi means "direction" and the RHQ-10 was named Shih : poetry [written on images for advertising].

At first with only three components, the Michi series was later complemented in some markets by one variant, two sources and a less expensive sibling:

RHB-10 dual-mono power amplifier
RHC-10 passive controller
RHQ-10 phono equalizer
RHA-10 active preamplifier
RHT-10 FM tuner
RHCD-10 CD player (big)
RHB-05 power amplifier

The PCB of the RHQ-10 is made of high-grade fiberglass with 0,1% and 0,01% tolerance metal film Vishay resistors in the signal paths, eq and NFB loop.

The first and head-amp stage is a triple parallel differential fully complementary push-pull ; the second stage is a passive pole low-pass filter ; the third is a low frequency boost and gain stage.

The output stage is a single-ended fully complementary push-pull circuit in Class A. Discrete components throughout.

One input is available, with two outputs : Fixed 1is for connection to a passive controller or preamplifier which bypasses the volume control ; Variable is for going directly into a power amplifier ; Fixed 2 is for connection to a passive controller or preamplifier when using a moving coil cartridge of extremely low output.

The MM / MC gain & impedance selection however remains mysterious and rests on "an ingenious method to minimize any adverse effect upon sound quality often cause by mechanical switching" - anyone ?

The gain switch/attenuator is supposedly the same 4-gang as in the RHC-10 but they don't look equivalent (and that of the RHA-10 is, again, different as well).

Power-supply is done by a (sizeable) low-leakage toroidal transformer ; dual-mono regulations throughout, copper bus bars, liberal heatsinking, sealed output relays, non-magnetic aluminium chassis and Teflon-insulated WBT terminals.

Like the RC-5000 and RB-5000, the Michi series was mostly made for the export market and is just as exceedingly rare.

Thanks for looking and please click here if you would like to receive a list of the equipment we receive from time to time.  We promise not to bombard you with junk email.

----------

PURCHASING FROM SKYFI

This item will be professionally packaged and insured for safe transit to your home. 

Please click here for detailed specifics regarding our specialized packing process that separates us from the rest.

If we don’t have the original manufacture's packaging, we use heavy duty double ply corrugated boxes with Instapak expanding foam custom inserts.  In many cases this has proven to be better than the original packaging.  We also use high quality fiber reinforced tape to seal our packages.  Lightweight items will be bubble wrapped and shipped in a high-quality box. 

This item is available for pickup in Ridgewood, NJ or Union Square, NYC (with convenient parking in the building).

NJ Residents or anyone picking up without a resale certificate will need to pay NJ Sales Tax.

Use the Buy It Now button and we will cover the PayPal fees.

Thanks for looking and be sure to call or text 201.879.0000 with any questions. 

Please also click here to visit our Audiogon store to see the rest of the items we have for sale.

----------

WHO WE ARE 

SkyFi Audio is a small startup business specializing in the purchase, reconditioning, and reselling of select high-end audio equipment.  We only buy equipment the we admire and are passionate about. No mid-fi, no gimmicks, no junk. 

Each piece of equipment is cosmetically restored and fully tested in our well-equipped lab by an engineer with 30+ years of experience in the HiFi world. If it does not meet or exceed the original manufactures specifications, it will not be sold.  We are very selective about the equipment we purchase, focusing on mostly analog, high-build quality, American, and European built units.

Through our sister company, which is an authorized dealer for McIntosh, Audio Research, Sonus Faber, ClearAudio, Pro-Ject Audio Systems, and Sony ES, we have access to OEM parts, service, and support.  If you are local and looking for new equipment from the above-mentioned manufacturers, please drop us a line as we can arrange both sales and professional installation in the tri-state area.

PURCHASING GUIDELINES

We do not accept or review any offers that do not go through the official Audiogon system. We have too many items for sale and it’s nearly impossible to keep track of offers outside of the official system. Please don’t message, email, or text any offers. 

If you do not see a “Make an Offer” button, it means we are not considering any offers on that item.   

PAYMENTS

We prefer working through PayPal which allows you to use a credit card or bank transfer. We do not charge extra for any payment fees if you purchase the item at the asking price.  You can also send us a personal check (which will need to clear before shipping), certified check, money order, or wire transfer. International clients without access to PayPal should use a bank wire transfer. 

If you are picking up an item we do not accept PayPal.  You must pay in person with cash, certified or bank check, or wire transfer.  If you make a PayPal payment and are picking up the item, it will be returned. 

TRADE IN POLICY 

We accept trade-ins of equal or lesser value under certain conditions.  Simply ask and let us know the exact model, condition, and the accessories that are included (such as the original box, remote, cables, manual, etc.).  We will only consider high-end equipment from mainstream manufacturers such as McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Audio Research, Krell, etc. and will typically pass on displays, projectors, receivers, dated surround processors, and mid-fi equipment of any type.  We will offer a fair value for your equipment, but keep in mind we are running a business and will need to be able to resell the equipment at a profit after investing a great deal of time and resources in testing, certifying, repairing, cleaning, and packaging the incoming equipment.  If you are looking for top dollar we suggest attempting to sell it directly to an end user on your own.

SELL US YOUR GEAR (Working or Broken)

We will also purchase your used or broken gear and arrange pickup if you are in our local market. Just drop us a note for a quote but be sure to include the condition and what is included. 

HOW TO VISIT US                                                                                                        

We are currently operating from a residence in Ridgewood, NJ.  You are welcome to make an appointment if there is a piece of equipment you would like to see in operation before or after purchase.  We have a well-equipped, dedicated listening room with tons of equipment of all makes and models.  We are not a store, so please don’t make an appointment if you are just curious as to how a speaker or piece of equipment sounds.  In essence, no tire kickers please.

If you are in NYC and cannot make it out to Ridgewood, we can arrange pickup in Union Square (14th Street) after the purchase.   You can call or text 201.879.0000 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.  We can also arrange to install, calibrate, and tune the gear in your listening room if you are local to the area.  This is super useful when purchasing large speakers or heavy amplifiers.  It is also great for ensuring your new turntable is setup correctly in its final resting place.  

V2.0