Rose RD160
Dual-mono digital-to-analogue converter from Rose, fitted with an AKM AK4499EX per channel and compatible with PCM 768 kHz and native DSD512.
Description
The Rose RD160 is a dual-mono digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) designed to convert a digital signal into an analogue output to feed a hi-fi system. It sits upstream of a preamplifier or integrated amplifier, between digital sources (network player, transport, computer) and the rest of the audio chain.
The conversion is based on a dual-DAC arrangement using an AKM AK4191 modulator paired with an AKM AK4499EX converter per channel, with fully separate analogue channels. The RK3128 CPU handles the unit's digital functions. The RD160 accepts PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz as well as native DSD512, covering almost all available high-resolution formats. The outputs deliver 4.5 V RMS on RCA and 9 V RMS on XLR, high levels that allow certain amplifiers to be driven directly without an additional gain stage.
The digital connectivity is particularly extensive: an I2S port over HDMI, USB-B, AES/EBU on XLR, Toslink optical, S/PDIF on RCA and BNC, as well as an optical USB SFP port. The unit also features two external clock inputs, one 50-ohm SMA and one 75-ohm BNC, allowing it to be synchronised with an external reference clock to refine the timing precision of the conversion.
This type of converter is aimed at users who already have a hi-fi system built around a high-end preamplifier or amplifier, and who wish to make the most of a variety of digital sources, whether dematerialised high-resolution files or streams passing through an optical SFP link. The presence of external clock inputs will also appeal to those who own or are considering a dedicated reference clock.
Technical specifications
| Conversion | Dual-DAC arrangement, AKM AK4191 modulator and AKM AK4499EX converter per channel |
| CPU | RK3128 |
| Digital inputs | 1 I2S port over HDMI, 1 USB-B, 1 AES/EBU on XLR, 1 Toslink optical, 1 S/PDIF RCA, 1 S/PDIF BNC, 1 USB SFP port (optical) |
| Outputs | Stereo RCA (4.5 V RMS), stereo XLR (9 V RMS) |
| Clock inputs | 1 50-ohm SMA input, 1 75-ohm BNC input |
| Compatibility | PCM 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD512 |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 87 x 430 x 327 mm |
| Weight | 10 kg |
What to check before buying used
The AK4191/AK4499EX chip and the RK3128 CPU should start up without freezing or unexpected restarts: testing all inputs (I2S, USB-B, AES/EBU, Toslink, S/PDIF, USB SFP) confirms that each connection is correctly recognised. The external SMA and BNC clock inputs are worth checking for proper locking, as is the absence of noise or imbalance between the RCA and XLR outputs, which would indicate a fault on one of the two separate mono channels.
Looking for this reference: RD160 ?
Tell us what you are looking for: our merchants are notified, and one of them may have it in stock.