The HiFi Rose RD160 is positioned as a flagship-level DAC offering what the brand calls “Absolute True Fidelity.” It is designed not just to convert digital audio with high precision, but to do so in a way that preserves the character and subtlety of the original recording. To achieve that, it uses a dual‑DAC architecture (two AK4499EXEQ chips) combined with AK4191EQ processing, giving it very high-resolution conversion capabilities.
Its internal design employs an isolated module architecture (ROSE CIM™), which means the digital input stage and the analog output stage are physically separated to reduce interference and maintain signal purity. Power-wise, the RD160 uses three independent linear toroidal power supplies — one for the digital section and one for each analog channel — to minimize crosstalk and noise, resulting in very clean dynamics and excellent resolution.
A high-precision OCXO clock ensures very stable timing, which helps lower jitter and improves overall coherence. On the analog side, the RD160 supports both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) outputs. It also offers a choice of upsampling and digital filter options to tailor the sound to your preference — including “Sharp,” “Slow,” “Short Sharp,” “Short Slow,” “Super Slow,” and “Low Short.”
The front panel hides a dual AMOLED display (when activated) that shows the current input, sampling rate, filter settings, and more. Its chassis is made of solid aluminum and rust-proof steel, with heat-sink side panels to manage temperature, and the design feels very robust and premium.
In terms of connectivity, the RD160 provides a wide array of inputs: USB-B, a USB SFP module (for fiber), HDMI I²S, two coaxial (RCA + BNC), optical, and AES/EBU. It even has external clock input (10 MHz) via BNC (75Ω) and SMA (50Ω). The unit is controlled with a 38 kHz IR remote.
Overall, the RD160 aims to deliver extremely high fidelity, with a focus on ultra-low noise, very precise timing, and flexible digital handling, making it a serious choice for audiophiles who care deeply about DAC performance and sound purity.
