Rotel CD11 Tribute CD Player Black

The Rotel CD11 Tribute is a special-edition CD player created in collaboration with the late Ken Ishiwata, one of the most respected figures in affordable hi-fi. Ishiwata spent over 40 years refining audio electronics at Marantz before working with Rotel’s engineering team in late 2019 to voice this enhanced version of the successful CD11. The Tribute edition sits alongside the standard CD11 in Rotel’s range, distinguished by its hand-selected components and the “Tribute 敬” badge on the front panel — the Japanese character for “respect.”

Ken Ishiwata’s Modifications

The changes Ishiwata specified are both mechanical and electronic. The chassis has been reinforced with custom damping materials applied to the top cover and main chassis to reduce internal vibrations and smother resonance. Inside, the DAC stage received eight capacitor replacements and one resistor change, while all nine capacitors in the power supply were switched to upgraded types. The electrical ground paths within the player have been re-routed. These modifications target the audio signal path directly, delivering what Rotel describes as an increased sense of space, improved accuracy, and greater detail.

Digital-to-Analogue Conversion

The CD11 Tribute uses a Texas Instruments (Burr-Brown) PCM5102A DAC — a 32-bit device originally designed for high-performance audio applications. The player is a pure CD transport and DAC with no digital inputs, no streaming capability, and no Bluetooth. It reads standard CDs and MP3-encoded discs via a smooth-action tray-loading mechanism, with all decoding handled internally.

Connectivity

Analogue output is provided on a single pair of RCA connectors, complemented by a coaxial S/PDIF digital output for use with an external DAC. A 12-volt trigger input and RS232 port allow integration into custom installation systems. The front panel features an LCD display showing track number, elapsed time, and total track count, with transport controls and a dedicated remote control included.

Build & Design

The CD11 Tribute is manufactured in Japan by The Rotel Co. Ltd. The casework follows the clean, understated aesthetic of Rotel’s established product line, available in black or silver finishes. Build quality is solid at this price point, with the additional damping materials contributing to a quieter mechanical operation than the standard CD11.

What the Press Says

• “They build on already accomplished platforms with more warmth and definition, and above all that intangible quality: soul.” — Hi-Fi News (January 2021)
• Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product