HiFi Rose RD160 DAC

HiFi Rose

HiFi Rose RD160 DAC

Price
£4,699.00
Product Condition
New
Absolute True Fidelity DAC
Product Colour
- Optional
- Optional

The RD160 elevates the details of your music to a new dimension. With its precise Digital Processing Core module, an Architecture that isolates digital and analogue paths for transparent and precise conversion without distortion, a Fully balanced design that maintains the purity of the signal, three independent power supplies for each circuit that enhance clarity and dynamics, and noise filter that vividly convey even the most delicate nuances of the music, the RD 160 embodies ROSE's meticulous engineering and innovative technology, guiding you into a purer, more authentic world of sound.

A shelving unit with albums on the bottom shelf.  On the top of the unit is the HiFi Rose RD160 and the RS130..  There are no cables visible.

The Fusion of Advanced Technology and Intuitiveness

The RD160 embodies a perfect fusion of advanced technology and aesthetics.  Its sleek metallic case combines luxury with durability, while the precisely crafted edges and smooth surfaces convey a sense of high-quality craftsmanship. The elegantly integrated hidden screen on the front panel offers an intuitive visual representation of the digital signal processing and status through various display modes, providing a user experience reminiscent of operating a futuristic device. The meticulously designed knobs and buttons interact with the hidden screen in real-time, delivering a precise and satisfying tactile response. More than just an audio device, the RD 160 is the perfect choice to bring a touch of modern sophistication and technological elegance to your space.

HiFi Rose RD160 DAC in black standing on a concrete plinth

ROSE DPC(Digital Processing Core)™ Module

The digital stage of the RD160 is equipped with the ROSE DPC™ module, where all processing blocks are designed to maintain optimal signal accuracy and precision, ensuring the delivery of high-fidelity sound.  This module precisely synchronises digital signals input from various methods to a high-precision OCXO clock, aligning them as I25 signals. Especially when processing high-resolution audio signals, the module applies clock synchronisation and locking processes to minimise jitter, resulting in accurate signal processing and natural, clean sound. Additionally, the circuit for the user interface and GUI configuration is completely isolated from the digital audio signal path, thoroughly eliminating signal distortion and interference.
Through this design, the RD160 guarantees superior digital signal quality and ensures high-quality sound with compatibility across various digital formats.

HiFi Rose RD160 in silver

ROSE CIM(Completely Isolated & Moduled) ™ Architecture

DAC Module with Complete Separation of Digital and Analogue

The ROSE CIM™ architecture is designed to maximise sound quality through complete isolation and modularisation. The RD160's DAC module employs a 2-chip solution, where the AK4191EQ handles digital filtering and initial delta-sigma conversion stages, while the AK4499EX performs digital-to-analogue conversion. By structurally separating the digital and analogue circuits, the RD 160 achieves perfect noise isolation during the mutual processing stages, an extremely high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and the highest level of analogue characteristics.

The inside of HiFi Rose RD160

Fully Balanced DAC Modules and Analogue Output Stage

Furthermore, by assigning individual DAC modules to each channel and employing a fully balanced symmetrical design for the analogue output stage, the RD160 effectively eliminates noise that could be coupled between channels. This design allows the RD 160 to boast an exceptional dynamic range and to accurately reproduce even the most intricate details of the original sound with clear and precise stereo imaging.

Three Independently Customised Reference Linear Power Supply Units

The reference linear power supplies in the RD160, developed in-house by ROSE, are engineered to achieve the highest sound quality using ULTRA LOW NOISE power chipsets. These power supplies independently feed the digital input stage and the left and right analogue output stages, minimising crosstalk and interference between sections. This design effectively suppresses noise across the digital processing, clock, and analogue output circuits, ensuring signal integrity. By delivering stable power tailored to the specific needs of each stage, it enhances the DAC's dynamic range and resolution, faithfully conveying even the most subtle details of the music. Additionally, the reduction of jitter maximises the spatial characteristics of the soundstage, resulting in a wider and more precise soundstage with sharp imaging. Through this power supply design, the RD 160 elevates audio clarity and dynamics, offering a deeply immersive listening experience.

HiFi Rose RD160 in silver on a HiFi stand with a floorstanding speaker either side

High-Quality J-FET Input Dual OP-Amp

The RD160 utilises high-quality J-FET input dual OP-AMPs with excellent responsiveness, dynamic range, and low distortion, incorporating high-purity Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) lead frames. The OP-AMPS in the RD 160 have been meticulously selected through a rigorous and careful process to deliver a natural and vibrant sound.

High-Precision OCXO

The high-precision OCO employed in the RD 160 enhances the accuracy of digital inputs, providing more precise clock signals. OCO is the most accurate and stable clock available, unaffected by temperature changes. Conventional crystals may introduce jitter into audio signals due to fluctuations in oscillation caused by temperature changes. By maintaining a constant temperature, the OCO clock suppresses jitter, producing a stable and precise clock signal.

The HiFi Rose RD160 in silver on the top shelf of a HiFi unit

Lavish Internal Wiring

High-purity Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) cables have been strategically used in critical areas such as power and audio input/output sections, where they have a decisive impact on sound quality. Particularly, in the analog unbalanced output stage, high-purity single-crystal Ohno Continuous Casting (OCC) cables with excellent conductivity have been applied, ensuring that signals are transmitted with high purity and without distortion.

ROSE NRA(Noise Reduction Analogue) ™ Filter

The analogue stage, equipped with the ROSE NRA™ filter, achieves flat frequency characteristics even in the very low frequency range. As a result, the RD160 boasts a consistent frequency response across the entire spectrum without roll-offs, delivering clear and faithful reproduction of the original sound information in high-resolution audio, from deep and powerful sub-bass to the ambient details in the high-frequency range.

HiFi Rose RD160 in black on a long shelf unit

Pre-Out Level Setting

Amplifiers have varying maximum allowable input voltage levels depending on the manufacturer and model. If the output voltage of the source device exceeds this limit, clipping distortion can occur. The RD160 offers a wide range of pre-out level options, from 1V to 9V, ensuring clean, distortion-free sound and stable compatibility with all existing amplifiers. Additionally, by using Variable mode you can freely adjust the level using the knob, allowing the RD160 to be connected directly to a power amplifier without the need for a separate preamplifier.

Rear view of the HiFi Rose RD160

Upsampling & Filter

The RD160 offers various options. For upsampling, it provides four modes: BYPASS, TO PCM, TO DSD, and UPSAMPLING. PCM supports up to 32bit/768kHz, while DSD supports up to DSD512. Additionally, the digital filter offers six different types of impulse responses, allowing users to choose according to their preferences. These two features can be easily configured using the button located on the left side of the front panel, with changes instantly reflected on the Hidden Screen without any delay.

HiFi Rose RD160 on a desk with a lamp to the side

Fibre Optic USB

The SFP USB, featuring optical conversion functionality, completely blocks digital noise from the source device. When connected to the RS130, which supports SFP USB ports, it ensures the purest data transmission without any noise interference, providing the cleanest possible signal.

The HiFi Rose RD160 in black ona black desk

External Master Clock Input

Audio sources require a master clock input to output audio data synchronised with the master clock. By applying this method, jitter from optical, coaxial, AES/EBU, and USB connections between the audio source and DAC can be eliminated, ensuring perfect synchronisation between devices, tailored to the operating environment.

Specifications

Benchmark

  • Input Sensitivity: OdBF 1kHz
  • Output Impedance: 300Ω
  • Output Level: 4.5Vrms(RCA), 9Vrms(XLR)
  • THD + N: 0.005%(RCA), 0.005%(XLR) (1kHz OdBF)
  • Signal to Noise Ratio: 124dB(RCA), 124dB(XLR)
  • Residual Noise: 0.3mV(RCA), 0.4mV(XLR)
  • Stereo Crosstalk: -124dB(RCA), -124dB(XLR) (1kHz OdBF)
  • Frequency Response:
    • 10Hz ~ 20kHz (-0.3dB)
    • 10Hz ~ 50kHz (-1.5dB)
    • 10Hz ~ 73kHz (-3.0dB)

Sampling Rate

  • PCM: 8kHz ~ 768kHz(8/16/24/32bit per Sample)
  • DSD: DSD64(2.8MHz)/DSD128(5.6MHz)/DSD256(11.2MHz)/DSD512(22.6MHz)

Technical

  • DAC: 2 x AK4499EXEQ + 2 x AK4191EQ
  • PSU: 3 x Independently Customized Reference Linear Toroidal
  • CPU: RK3128 Quad core Cortex-A7mp
  • RAM: DDR3 1866MHz 1GB
  • FLASH: 8GB eMMc
  • Oscillator: High Precision OCXO clock

Inputs

Digital

  • USB SFP Module: PCM 32bit/768kHz, DSD512(22.6MHz)
  • USB 2.0 Type-B: PCM 32bit/768kHz, DSD512(22.6MHz)
  • HDMI I2S: PCM 32bit/768kHz, DSD512(22.6MHz)
  • Coaxial RCA: PCM 32bit/384kHz, DSD 128(5.6MHz) (only Dop)
  • Coaxial BNC: PCM 32bit/384kHz, DSD 128(5.6MHz) (only Dop)
  • Optical: PCM 32bit/192kHz, DSD64(2.8MHz) (only Dop)
  • AES/EBU: PCM 32bit/384kHz, DSD128(5.6Mhz) (only Dop)

External Clock

  • BNC 750(10MHz), SMA 500(10MHz)

Outputs

  • Analogue: unbalanced, balanced

Feature

  • Pre-Out Level: 0.5V~4.5V(RCA), 1V~9V(XLR)
  • PCM Filter:
    • Sharp
    • Slow
    • Short Sharp (Default)
    • Short Slow
    • Super Slow
    • Low Short

Power

  • Input Voltage: AC110V-120V~, 220V-240V~, 50/60Hz
  • Standby: 0.3W
  • Playback: 30W

Environmental

  • Operating °C: 0~40°C
  • Storage °C: -10~50°C

Physical

  • Display: AMOLED hidden screen
  • Dimensions: 430(W) X 330(D) X 88(H) mm
  • Weight: 10 Kg
  • Material: Solid Aluminum, Rust-proof Steel, Polycarbonate
  • Finish: Silver, Black
  • IR: 38kHz IR Receiver

Overall Rating