We met the HiFi Rose RD160 in Munich earlier this year, although it may have passed many by. And even though it wasn't a finished device, we could see that it would be something special.
The new RD160 DAC and preamplifier sports a sleek and modern aesthetic, rather than leaning into the slightly steampunk styling of the RA180 and RA280, for instance. Here, you get a "hidden [AMOLED] screen" front panel that displays all pertinent information while fascia control remains via tactile buttons and a large dial. This is all wrapped in a solid aluminium chassis in silver or black finishes.
At its heart is a fully balanced, dual-mono DAC design. Two sets of AKM DAC chips are dedicated to the digital and analogue stages alongside a high-precision OXCO clock. A pair of Asahi Kasei AK4191 handles digital filtering and initial delta-sigma modulation stages, followed by the AK4499EX, which performs the final digital-to-analogue conversion.
This, says HiFi Rose, means that the RD160 avoids the noise regular DAC chips generate due to their mutual processing of multiple stages within one chip. At the same time, the dual-mono layout further allows for minimal crosstalk. The upshot is the promise of a high signal-to-noise ratio (124dB (RCA), 124dB (XLR)), allowing the RD160 to sound totally pure and natural. The claimed THD +N is 0.005% for both RCA and XLR. Furthermore, separating the two channels and keeping the digital and analogue processes apart should result in minimal crosstalk.
The RD160 has three custom-designed linear toroidal power supplies that independently power the main digital section and the left and right channels. HiFi Rose claims this method of "stably supplying power according to the dynamic requirements of each stage." We are informed that this facilitates the power supply's high signal integrity, increasing the DAC's resolution and dynamic range.
As we have come to expect from the brand, the RD160 boasts plenty of connectivity options, including two coaxial inputs, one optical input, an AES/EBU input, HDMI I2S and USB inputs that all support high-res audio up to 32-bit/784kHz PCM files as well as DSD128 and DSD512 files. You will also balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA line-level stereo pairs of analogue outputs. This is not a streaming DAC, so there is no Wi-Fi or ethernet port. For that side of things, HiFi Rose suggests its flagship RS130 streaming transport, which promises the transmission of "pure digital data" that is clean and noise-free if you use the SFP USB connection.
The RD160 allows you to set the output level (fixed between 1V and 9V), enabling you to match it to a wide range of integrated amplifier partners, as we enjoyed it at the recent UK Audio Show (below). Alternatively, thanks to its own volume dial and preamplifier function, you can plug the RD160 directly into a power amp.
Finally, HiFi Rose's RD160 gives you various options to tweak the sound, such as four sampling options and six digital filters.
The HiFi Rose RD160 is available now and costs £4,699/ €5,299.
Visit HiFi Rose for more information
Posted in: Hi-Fi
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