HiFi ROSE RD160 DAC
HiFi ROSE RD160 DAC
A high-performance digital-to-analog converter for immaculate musical detail
The RD160 is the first standalone DAC from Korean audiophile wizards HiFi Rose. It has their signature look and operational innovation, with simple front-panel controls and display. More importantly, its high-quality internal design uses a two-chip AKM DAC, three customized reference power supply units, and impeccable circuitry that can render music from all of your digital sources with crisp, articulate detail.
Dual-chip AKM DAC divides and conquers digital duties
The RD160's dual-chip DAC module and trio of custom power supply units help it deliver impeccable musical detail.
AKM designed the RD160's DAC module in collaboration with MUSES, an audio-focused semi-conductor developer. The dual-chip design divides the DAC's decoding duties — one chip handles digital filtering and initial delta-sigma conversion stages while the other performs the digital-to-analog conversion. That helps this unit deliver immaculate analog sound with remarkably low noise.
Connections for a wide range of digital sources and balanced output
The RD160 has coaxial and optical inputs, plus a USB-B input for your computer. It also has an audio-only HDMI I2S, AES/EBU XLR, and SFP (small form-factor pluggable) fiber ports. The fiber port provides the clearest possible signal from compatible components, like this DAC's perfect match, the RS130 streaming transport.
Easy front-panel control with a detailed "hidden" display
What looks like a blank front panel turns into a detailed display when you power up the RD160. A bank of buttons let you select input and cycle through filter and upsampling presets. You can also choose a clock input if you're using an external one, mute playback, and set the display's brightness and mode. The instantly responsive display can show you decoding data, a circuit-like design flow chart, and more. There's also a large, defeatable volume knob.
Exceptional build-quality, inside and out
This DAC features a chassis milled from a single piece of aluminum to eliminate joint vibration. Heat sink side panels keep internal running temperatures cool. Inside, three customized power supply units occupy the heart of the RD160's top-quality circuitry. Critical input and output sections are wired using high-quality oxygen-free copper for distortion-free signal transfer.
Precision clock features for perfectly accurate timing
The RD160's super-accurate built-in OCXO clock maintains a constant working temperature. That helps it keep timing errors that can smear musical detail to a very low level. You also get inputs for adding an external master clock generator for even cleaner, more precise, jitter-free digital audio signals.
Product highlights:
- 2-chip audiophile AKM DAC module
- AK4191 chip handles digital filtering and initial delta-sigma conversion stages
- AK4499EX chip performs digital-to-analog conversion
- three reference linear power supply units minimize interference between channels and prevent digital noise
- high-quality J-FET input dual op-amps developed in collaboration with MUSES provide wide dynamic range and super-low distortion
- Rose NRA™ filtering provides wide, consistent frequency response
- large "hidden" display shows source, upsampling and filter selections, volume, and more in a circuit-like design
- chassis machined from a single piece of high-purity aluminum minimizes vibrations that could interfere with audio signal
- heat sink side panels keep operating temperature cool
- high-quality oxygen-free copper wiring in internal power and audio input/output sections ensures distortion-free signal transmission
- high-precision OCXO clock suppresses timing errors that can smear musical detail
- 4 upsampling and 6 filter options for flexibility in getting the best sound from a variety of recordings
Connections:
- coaxial digital RCA input (32-bit/384kHz, DoP128)
- coaxial digital BNC input (32-bit/384kHz, DoP128)
- optical digital input (24-bit/192kHz, DoP64)
- USB 2.0 Type-B audio input (32-bit/768kHz, DSD512)
- USB-SFP (small form-factor pluggable) input (32-bit/768kHz, DSD512)
- provides cleanest possible signal transmission when you connect the RS130 streaming transport
- audio-only HDMI I2S input (32-bit/768kHz, DSD512)
- AES/EBU XLR input (32-bit/384kHz, DoP128)
- external master clock input
- pair of unbalanced stereo RCA outputs
- pair of balanced stereo XLR outputs
Other info:
- frequency response: 10-70,000 Hz (+1/-3dB)
- THD: 0.0002%
- signal-to-noise ratio: 132dB
- detachable power cord
- 16-15/16"W x 3-7/16"H x 12-7/8"D
- weight: 22.05 lbs.
- warranty: 1 year