Customer Reviews

Roth Audio Music Cocoon MC4 Tube Amplifier with iPod Dock

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have owned my MC4 for nearly a year now and could not be happier with it. My main system is a $20K+ behemoth, so I was very sceptical that this little system would satisfy me for less than the cost of a good power cable on my main system.

Here are my thoughts for making this an incredible system.

1. Match it well with a good set of speakers. I went with the Totem Mites and the soundstage and imaging is magical.

2. Match the system with the room size. My MC 4 and the Totem Mites work well in a small room (10' by 12'). I tried them in a really large room (30' by 20') and I could not believe it was the same system.

3. Which iPod you have matters. The 4th and 5th generation iPods use a very high-quality internal Wolfson Microelectronics digital to analog converter. The really old iPods and the really new ones (including the classic, shuffle, nano, iPhone and 160GB editions do not. Yes, it makes a big difference through an amp.

4. Record everthing in Lossless files. You won't believe the difference.

Overall, I could not be happier with my MC4 and I am thinking of purchasing several others for my office and other rooms.

jts

While there is a growing abundance of high-end iPod transports coupled with outboard DACs that purport to deliver bit-perfect sound, the Roth Audio MC4 Music Cocoon provides classic tube warmth, dynamics, midrange purity, and fantastic soundstage that you have probably never heard before from a device with iPod as source. Speaker matching is critical if you really want to hear and experience the bloom. I don't know what but the British always seem to get it right with hi-fi components. An audiophile gem. Outstanding product, highly recommended!!!

Instruction manual is very limited. But if you know audio equipment, then you should be able to set this up. The iPod dock section of this device works great, but if you have a 6G iPod like I do, the S-Video out won't let you see anything on your HDTV screen! I wonder why I stay with Apple sometimes. But I also wonder why ROTH doesn't mention this? The sound is great from the iPod. Music sounds live. I wish this pushed at least 30watts, but it sounds great, even all the way turned up. BOTH of the inputs on the back of the device, the RCA's and the 1/8" audio input MAKE THE WORST GROUND NOISE - IF YOUR EXTERNAL DEVICE is also plugged into anything else, like a DVD player also plugged into a TV with HDMI. I can't get rid of the noise unless I unplug the Video output of same device. BUT - it is as quiet as a church mouse when the iPod is plugged in. No customer support available. They say "see your retailer" on their website. I decided to return to Amazon for a refund since the video would not display through the Roth and due to the problems with ground noise as stated above. AGAIN - great device if just using for your ipod music or stand alone audio, but don't try to multi-plug without issues.

When I first started tracking the Roth Cocoon, Amazon wasn't carrying it and eventually they were upwards of $500. Amazon had since reduced it to $299. So, I bought two. One for me and one for my brother-in-law. It is a treat listening to it now that it's set up but it wasn't without some work here in the U.S. It's not a "plug and play" situation. First of all, it doesn't charge iPhones. It fits in the cradle but a message will appear on the screen of the iPod saying that it won't charge with this accessory. If I hadn't had my older iPod, I would not have been able to use the Roth without checking the battery level. Secondly, it ships without a power cord that works in the U.S. I contacted Roth and they gave me the right part description and I ordered two from somewhere here in the U.S. and had to wait a few days for them. All that said, I got it going with my old iPod and now the sound is worth it. so, for me all is well. however, my brother in law only has an iPhone so he'll have to use an extra power cord for his iPhone to use this. Again, it was worth the hassle but be aware that the Roth does have its limitations out of the box here in the U.S .

Very capable rig for such a small size. I also own the AR tabletop, but the Roth is in another class altogether. I sold an Art Audio Jota and Verity Parsifal speakers to help with college expenses. Very sad. But I am quite happy with the Roth, paired with used Lamhorns. The soundstage is well-defined in both horizon and depth. Frequency response is just fine. I tried a few NOS tube substitutions, but the stock valves sounded best...what a surprise! In short, I can listen to this unit for hours without fatigue. Speaker wires included with the unit are short but sound good.

The Roth Cocoon is well designed and exudes both a high tech and retro look at the same time. As music consumption migrates to digital files, this provides a very functional way to enjoy your music. Overall the production quality is high, and the separation of the transformer from the unit allows it to occupy less shelf space. The remote has an expensive and heavy feel, with an attractive brushed aluminum finish.

What of the sound? The sound is, to use a word, luscious. I paired the Roth Cocoon with Axiom M3ti's, which are efficient with good response. Plenty of volume in an average room despite the rated 13 watts. Altogether, the cost was about $800, not cheap but the sound is incredible. It may be heresy to insult a tube amp with a digital file, but you can't beat the convenience. Ripping CD's into lossless files make a perceptible quality difference, but compressed files sound great too.

The itube carbon gets slightly higher reviews for sonic quality, but the overall look and functionality of the Cocoon is better, in my opinion.

Negatives: my unit shipped without the right power cord, but the reseller (hi def lifestyle) very promptly responded to get a replacement from Roth. The buttons on the remote are not intuitive, but once you learn them it's not a problem. It doesn't have USB connectivity for a computer hookup.

I've had my MC4 for a year and a half or so, paired with a set of Canton bookshelf speakers. It sounds excellent - very clear, relatively low noise floor and big soundstage. There are two things I wish I could change. First, the volume pot is not continuous - it increases and decreases in steps only, and the steps are a little far apart for my liking. My ideal volume always ends up being between one of the steps.

Second, the remote is near useless unless you are on a direct line with the front of the box. Fine if I'm doing critical listening in the sweet spot, but if I happen to be reading in a chair a little off center, I'm forced to stand up and move to get to a spot where the remote will function.

Neither of these are dealbreakers - it's a good amp.

I have had this unit for a couple of months now and I've gotta say it is amazing. I would suggest that you replace the tubes shipped with the unit with better ones. I chose Mullard 12AX7's and Electroharmonics 12AU7's. That will surely bring this thing to life. It has plenty of power. I have it hook to Klipsch Synergy F1's and it blows my mind. No matter what type of music you enjoy.

My wife got me the Roth MC4 last December. I can't be happier. I love the warm sound of vacuum tubes and have 4 tube radios. I also collect old transistor radios, more for look than sound. I have an iPod touch.

As the Roth is only 13 watts per channel, you may want to consider using "high efficiency" speakers. Most modern speakers are made for solid state amplifiers and are not very efficient, made for amps putting out hundreds of watts. A low output amp like the Roth just won't move these speakers and you may be disappointed, especially in a larger room. There is a huge community of "high efficiency" or "full range" speaker audiophiles on the internet to help. Most of these people have tube amplifiers, and there are all kinds of speaker designs like bass horns to optimize a low output amp. You want a speaker with around 95dB/Watt if possible. I bought some Fostex 206E speakers and some old HH Scott "bookshelf" size speakers (to go with the midcentury-modern style of my house) and planned to gut the speakers and put in the Fostex full range speakers. I use the amp in a big room and didn't expect much from the 50 year old speakers. But I was blown away. Other then the lack of thundering bass, the speakers sound great, and I left them as is.

I also replaced the cheap Chinese vacuum tubes in the Roth with GE black plate/grey plate tubes and the sound is better. I'm not a big audiophile, and it may not be worth the $[...] price, but the upgrade is noticeable. I got them from [...]t.

I think you'll be happy with this purchase. I listen to it every day. It's especially good for lo-fi or analog recorded music like Portishead, the Strokes, Jenny Mae, Lo-fi Allstars, or really any vocal or classical music. You'll love it!

I dont normally write reviews - but this is amazing and for the $$ there is nothing like it. My Ipod sounds great and the look is very retro.

Buy one!