HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC Review
According to Citech Co. Ltd., the HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC was designed as a fusion of advanced technology and aesthetics, as a solution that can meet the highest demands in every respect.
- Citech Co. Ltd. wants the latest D/A converter from the HiFi Rose brand, the HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC, to be understood as a solution that can present music in all its details.
The South Korean company Citech Co. Ltd. has built up an impeccable reputation as a proven expert in the field of streaming within a very short space of time. The corresponding solutions, which are sold under the HiFi Rose brand, are characterised above all by the fact that the latest IT technologies are used to enable streaming from all conceivable sources, while at the same time meticulous care is taken to ensure that the products do not look like IT, but rather present themselves like fine HiFi.
In order to guarantee signal processing at the very highest level, excellent converters are of course also required, and Citech Co. Ltd. now wants to use the expertise gained in this process with a stand-alone D/A converter, namely in the form of the HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC, which we have now been able to subject to a detailed test.
The premiere – the first converter from HiFi Rose
According to Citech Co. Ltd, the HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC is the first D/A converter from the HiFi Rose brand, but it is nevertheless an outstanding solution at the very highest level.
As just mentioned, the topic of D/A converters is nothing new for the developers at Citech Co. Ltd.; on the contrary, outstanding concepts were and are one of the main reasons why the streaming systems of the HiFi Rose brand enjoy such a good reputation among audiophile music lovers.
The fact that this expertise is now also being used for an independent device is obvious, especially as the D/A converter product group as a whole is becoming increasingly important.
D/A converter that sets new standards and can also function as a preamplifier
It will come as no surprise that the developers at Citech Co. Ltd. were not content with adapting existing concepts for the new HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC, but rather designed a completely new solution that offers nothing less than pure, absolutely unadulterated sound, as promised by the manufacturer. The company even speaks of a solution that achieves a reference level and can therefore set new standards. Especially as it is not just a D/A converter, the HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC can also function as a preamplifier, which could further increase interest in this solution for some people.
The first contact – elegant in appearance
Solutions from the HiFi Rose brand have always been considered to be quite unique in terms of design, to put it mildly at first, and sometimes one can clearly speak of very striking and eye-catching. For example, the first stereo integrated amplifier from the Koreans, the HiFi Rose RA180 Absolute Pure Sound Integrated Amplifier, which came up with a design concept reminiscent of steampunk, which ensured that it was the talk of the town when it was launched. The HiFi Rose RA280 Absolute Pure Sound Integrated Amplifier was somewhat more discreet, but still had its own design concept.
If you also remember the very first HiFi Rose brand solutions that came onto the market in this country in the form of streaming clients, they were the first such solutions to feature huge displays on the front, which also caused quite a stir.
The new HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC looks almost discreet when placed in a HiFi rack for the first time, as the front is initially very simple with just a row of buttons on the left and a rotary encoder and standby button on the right.
AMOLED hidden screens
But once you start using the D/A converter, it soon becomes clear that the designers at Citech Co. Ltd. have come up with something quite extraordinary here too, as the user is presented with a large display, although there are actually two, namely AMOLED hidden screens, as the manufacturer itself describes them.
The ingenious thing about these displays is that they not only show the most important information about the operating status of the device, but also the complete signal flow of the DAC, which can be very complex due to the numerous functions of the HiFi Rose RD160. A schematic, clearly structured overview makes handling much easier for the user.
It should be mentioned at this point that the brightness of the display can be dimmed, and all other controls on the front, from the buttons to the rotary encoder, are also illuminated, whereby this lighting can also be dimmed to match the display if required.
In the tried and tested manner, an impeccably finished aluminium housing is of course also used here, which is available in either black or silver and measures 430 mm in width, 330 mm in depth and 88 mm in height, weighing in at 10 kg.
The scope of delivery includes a matching infrared remote control, which makes a very high-quality impression and which fortunately has a large number of buttons to control all relevant functions of the D/A converter remotely.
Looking for a connection
A look at the rear of the HiFi Rose RD160 shows that this D/A converter is designed to be ideally equipped for even complex configurations. There are not only two coaxial and one optical S/PDIF interface, but also an AES/EBU and an I2S designed as HDMI. The device also has a PC Audio In in the form of a USB-B interface and there is also an SVC port and an SFP USB port at the rear.
Citech Co. Ltd. believes that the latter is particularly important if you own a HiFi Rose RS130 Ultimate Network Transport, a solution that is dedicated solely to streaming, but leaves the signal conversion from digital to analogue to an external specialist, namely the HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC. The optimum connection of these two components, which, incidentally, have a perfectly harmonised design, is ideally achieved via the SFP port, where signals are ultimately transmitted optically on a digital level and thus galvanically isolated, free from interference that could damage the sound.
It should also be emphasised that the HiFi Rose RD160 offers the option of synchronisation with external sources via two BNC sockets, which can be used to connect an external clock generator, a so-called master clock. One of the connections is designed for 50 Ohm, the second for 75 Ohm impedance.
Analogue signals leave the HiFi Rose RD160 either via unbalanced RCA sockets or balanced XLR connections and, of course, 12 V triggers must not be missing in order to guarantee control in combination with other devices.
Rose DPC modules
The HiFi Rose RD160 uses a so-called Rose DPC Module, where DPC stands for Digital Processing Core, as the basis for signal processing. The manufacturer essentially uses this term to describe all function modules, starting with the input selection, the clock, through to the I2S encoder, which ultimately transfers the signals to the actual converter.
Rose CIM Architecture
A particularly sophisticated DAC module is the so-called Rose CIM Architecture, which the manufacturer describes as a two-chip solution. Here, an AKM AK4191EQ acts as a digital filter and delta-sigma modulation stage, followed by an AKM AK4499EXEQ, which performs the digital-to-analogue conversion and then passes signals on to an OP amp. The manufacturer therefore speaks of a design in which digital and analogue are completely separated and a structure that can guarantee maximum sound fidelity free of noise.
It should be emphasised that the signal routing just outlined – an AKM AK4191EQ followed by an AKM AK4499EXEQ and downstream OP amp – is implemented separately for each channel.
In addition, an RK3128 quad-core Cortex A7mp processor is used to control the signal processing, which is supported by 1 GB of DDR3 RAM and 8 GB of eMMc flash memory, and which also allows upsampling and provides a total of six digital filters. Linear PCM can be upsampled up to 32 bits and 768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512.
High-precision OCXO clock or external master clock
The HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC uses a high-precision OCXO clock to ensure maximum precision in signal processing, free from jitter that can damage the sound. But, as we have already mentioned in the description of the connections, you can also use an external 10 MHz master clock as an alternative if you wish.
Rose NRA filter
A special feature of the analogue output stage, which uses modules of the High Quality J-FET Input Dual OP-Amp type, is the Rose NRA filter. NRA stands for Noise Reduction Analogue and describes a solution for a perfect performance free of noise over a wide frequency range.
Use as a preamp and pre-out level setting
As we mentioned at the beginning, the HiFi Rose RD160 offers the option of being used as a preamp, which means that the output level can be variably adjusted.
What we find particularly exciting is the ability to adapt the output level of the converter very flexibly to different preamps if it is used with a fixed level. The HiFi Rose RD160 thus allows the output level to be set from 1 V up to 9 V, so that distortion-free signal transmission free of clipping is always guaranteed.
Three independent linear power supplies
To illustrate the great effort the manufacturer has put into achieving optimum results, it is worth mentioning that the HiFi Rose RD160 uses three independent linear power supplies.
Citech Co. Ltd. promises to use solutions of the highest quality, supplying the digital input stage and the left and right output stages with power independently of each other. Crosstalk, sound-damaging interference and noise are thus prevented from the outset. In addition, the constantly optimised power supply increases both the dynamic range and the resolution, allowing even the most subtle nuances of the music to be optimally reproduced.
Finally, the fact that the HiFi Rose RD160 relies on particularly high-quality cabling with OFC and single-crystal OCC cables wherever relevant is further proof of the developers’ meticulous attention to detail.
Hands-on experience
After so much technology, we now want to get to the really important things, and that is quite simply the sound and the handling of this solution in everyday life. Firstly, however, we should briefly mention the truly unique design of the D/A converter, which proves to be a real eye-catcher in the HiFi rack. This is especially true when the converter’s display comes to life – the manufacturer has succeeded in creating a truly elegant look.
In addition, the generous display naturally also has immense advantages when operating the D/A converter from HiFi Rose, even if it is not a touchscreen display. Rather, the operating concept of this solution relies on a large number of real buttons, which also facilitate handling thanks to a clear pressure point and convey an appealing, high-quality feel.
This coherent, ultimately intuitive operating concept is also continued with the remote control, whereby it is helpful that the display can also be enlarged so that the really relevant information can be clearly read from a distance.
One thing that must be emphasised is that the HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC invites you to experiment a little due to its simple operation. You find yourself switching between the various filters when listening to music, sometimes using upsampling and sometimes not.
Of course, there are only nuances that you can perceive here, but that’s exactly why you’re buying a solution like this. And because it is a product that, as our test showed, is undoubtedly one of the best in its class when it comes to precise signal conversion from digital to analogue.
Getting to the point here is a D/A converter that clearly demonstrates what is possible with state-of-the-art components and a sophisticated design, and at a price that is still in affordable regions, at least for audiophile HiFi enthusiasts. Of course, there is never an upper limit, and yes, in many cases such products deliver even higher quality. However, the air is getting thinner and thinner, and the differences are ultimately becoming smaller and smaller. With the HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC, you are clearly playing at a level of quality that leaves hardly anything to be desired, as we can promise with a clear conscience based on our experience.
Prices and availability
The HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC is available from specialist retailers at a recommended retail price of € 5.299,-. You can choose between a discreet black or elegant silver colour.
Getting to the point
In conclusion, the claim of Citech Co. Ltd. to create a new reference in its class with the HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC can certainly be considered a success. The HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC is the perfect partner for all customers who want to rely on an absolute specialist for streaming, such as the HiFi Rose RS130 Ultimate Network Transport. However, this D/A converter from the HiFi Rose brand can also be used in combination with popular solutions from other prominent brands thanks to its undoubtedly particularly high quality, the flexible options for integration into different systems, its simple handling and, last but not least, its extremely elegant appearance.
| Product | HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC |
|---|---|
| Price | € 5.299,- |
The HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC is a converter that can be used flexibly in a wide variety of systems and offers everything you would expect from a reference-class solution these days. The impeccable sound quality, intuitive operation and, last but not least, an independent, extremely elegant design line are particularly impressive.
Positive
- Extremely elegant design with AMOLED hidden screens
- Impeccable workmanship
- Flexible use thanks to a wide range of connections including SFB USB
- Intuitive operating concept of the converter invites you to experiment
- Very appealing sound
- very good price-performance ratio compared to the capabilities and quality
Negative
- No obvious disadvantage
Test Environment
- Eversolo DMP-A6 Master Edition
- Roon NUCLEUS+
- Musical Fidelity M8xi Integrated Amplifier
- KEF Blade
- Signalkabel von AudioQuest
- Lautsprecher-Kabel von Nordost
- Lab12 Gordian
- clic AV-Möbel
| Brand | HiFi Rose |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Citech Co. Ltd. |
| Distribution | Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH |
| More about this manufacturer at HiFi BLOG |
Conclusion
Sound
Design
Handling
Price/Performance
Excellent
Of course, it may sound presumptuous at first to say that the HiFi Rose RD160 Absolute True Fidelity DAC offers excellent value for money, as it costs over €5,000. However, if you are in this class, you can be sure that you are doing everything right with this converter in terms of sound, flexibility, ease of use and, last but not least, design.
