Hi-Fi Rose RD-160 Pre Amp / DAC

Hi-Fi Rose RD-160 Pre Amp / DAC

Designed as the perfect partner for the RS130, the RD160 is a feature-rich DAC with a dual-mono, fully-balanced electrical layout that makes use of 2 DAC chips per channel and three power supplies for absolute signal integrity and superlative performance.

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 synchronizes digital signals input from various methods to a high-precision OCXO clock, aligning them as I2S signals. Especially when processing high-resolution audio signals, the module applies clock synchronization and locking processes to minimize 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.

DAC Module with Complete Separation of Digital & Analog
The ROSE CIM™ architecture is designed to maximize sound quality through complete isolation and modularization. The RD160’s DAC module employs a 2-chip solution, where the AK4191 handles digital filtering and initial delta-sigma conversion stages, while the AK4499EX performs digital-to-analog conversion. By structurally separating the digital and analog circuits, the RD160 achieves perfect noise isolation during the mutual processing stages, an extremely high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and the highest level of analog characteristics.

Fully Balanced DAC Modules and Analog Output Stage
Furthermore, by assigning individual DAC modules to each channel and employing a fully balanced symmetrical design for the analog output stage, the RD160 effectively eliminates noise that could be coupled between channels. This design allows the RD160 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.

ROSE NRA(Noise Reduction Analog)™ Filter
The analog 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.

Three Customized Reference Linear Power 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 analog output stages, minimizing crosstalk and interference between sections. This design effectively suppresses noise across the digital processing, clock, and analog 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 maximizes the spatial characteristics of the soundstage, resulting in a wider and more precise soundstage with sharp imaging. Through this power supply design, the RD160 elevates audio clarity and dynamics, offering a deeply immersive listening experience.