HiFi Rose RD 160 Digital to Analog Convertor

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 analog 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 RD160 embodies ROSE's meticulous engineering and innovative technology, guiding you into a purer, more authentic world of sound.

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 RD160 is the perfect choice to bring a touch of modern sophistication and technological elegance to your space.

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 IS 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.

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 AK4191EQ 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.

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 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.

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.

The RD160 utilizes 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 RD160 have been meticulously selected through a rigorous and careful process to deliver a natural and vibrant sound.

The high-precision OCXO employed in the RD160 enhances the accuracy of digital inputs, providing more precise clock signals. OCXO 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 OCXO clock suppresses jitter, producing a stable and precise clock signal.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Audio sources require a master clock input to output audio data synchronized 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 synchronization between devices, tailored to the operating environment.

Features

• 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
• high-precision OCXO clock suppresses timing errors that can smear musical detail
• ROSE DPC™ module precisely synchronizes digital input signals with the OCXO clock for immediate, lifelike sound
• 4 upsampling and 6 filter options for flexibility in getting the best sound from a variety of recordings
• 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

Specifications