ROSE HIFI RD160 Balanced DAC Black

Rose HiFi's RD160 is an aesthetically pleasing balanced DAC, based on a duo of AK4191 and AK4499EX chips per channel, capable of upsampling signals up to PCM 32bit 768kHz and DSD512. The brand's expertise ensures a design quality that leaves no detail to chance, having identified every source of noise and potential distortion to provide a suitable solution.

Rose HiFi RD160: Refined aesthetics

The RD160's appearance perfectly blends cutting-edge technology with the most refined aesthetics. Its aluminum case is machined from a single block, and benefits from a design that reduces the number of joints to an absolute minimum, so as to minimize potential vibrations. Heat sinks have been placed on both sides, ensuring that the RD160 maintains a regulated temperature, even during prolonged use. Last but not least, the hidden display, harmoniously integrated into the front panel, offers a rendering of rare elegance.

Rose HiFi RD160: DPC module (Digital Processing Core)

The RD160's digital stage incorporates the Rose DPC™ module, designed to ensure that all processing blocks maintain the highest level of signal accuracy to deliver faithful, detailed sound reproduction. This module precisely synchronizes input digital signals in various ways to a high-precision OCXO clock, and aligns them to I2S signals. This process applies clock synchronization and locking to minimize jitter, particularly when processing high-resolution audio signals, for precise signal processing and therefore natural, transparent sound. The user interface and GUI configuration circuits, as well as the digital audio signal circuitry, are completely separated to effectively block distortion and interference. This design enables the RD160 to deliver high-fidelity sound with a high-quality digital signal and compatibility with a wide range of digital formats.

Rose HiFi RD160: ROSE CIM architecture

The Rose CIM™ architecture aims to maximize sound quality through complete isolation of the digital and analog parts. The RD160's DAC module is a two-chip solution, with the AK4191 chip handling the digital filtering and initial delta-sigma modulation steps, while the AK4499EX chip performs the digital-to-analog conversion. By completely separating digital and analog circuits with this architecture, the RD160 completely blocks the noise generated during processing of the respective signals, resulting in an extremely high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and first-rate analog output signal quality.

What's more, by individually assigning a DAC module to each channel and designing the analog output circuit to be fully symmetrical, any noise that might be generated between channels is completely blocked. This architecture enables the RD160 to achieve an exceptional dynamic range, reproducing with clarity and precision the finest details of the original sound with a clear stereo image.

Rose HiFi RD160: 3 separate linear power supplies

Developed specifically by HiFi ROSE, the RD160's linear power supply is designed to deliver the best sound quality. Based on an ultra-low-noise chipset, the power supply is designed to independently power digital input ports and analog output ports. This power supply effectively suppresses the noise that can occur in each circuit, such as digital processing, clock and analog output, minimizing mutual interference and crosstalk between the various stages. By providing a stable power supply tailored to the needs of each stage, it maintains signal integrity and increases the dynamic range and resolution of the DAC. It also reduces jitter and optimizes spatialization, delivering a wider, more accurate soundstage and clearer images.

Rose HiFi RD160: ROSE NRA filter

The analog stage with ROSE NRA filter ensures a perfectly flat frequency response, even in the lowest frequency bands. As a result, the RD160 has a wide, stable frequency response, with no roll-off across the entire bandwidth, and clearly and faithfully transmits the original information contained in high-resolution audio, from the deep, heavy infrabass to the ultra-high frequencies.

Rose HiFi RD160: Adjustable output level

The maximum permissible input voltage for amplifiers varies according to manufacturer and model. If the output voltage of the source device exceeds this limit, clipping may occur, resulting in sound distortion. The RD160 offers a wide range of output level options, from 1V to 9V, guaranteeing clean, clipping-free sound and perfect compatibility with all amplifiers. By activating this function, you can adjust the level via the rotary knob, enabling you to connect the RD160 directly to a power amplifier without the need for a separate preamplifier.

Rose HiFi RD160: Upsampling and digital filter

The RD160 offers the possibility of increasing the sampling rate of your signal via several options (bypass, upscale to PCM, and upscale to DSD) and supports signals up to 32bit 768 kHz PCM and DSD512. In addition, six digital filters with different responses are available, allowing you to choose according to your listening preferences. Both functions can be easily adjusted using the buttons on the left-hand side of the front panel, and are displayed on the live screen.