Rose RS520A
Hi-Fi Rose all-in-one integrated amplifier combining network player, ES9038PRO DAC and class AD amplification, for a centralised stereo system without separate components.
Description
The RS520A is an all-in-one unit that brings together a stereo amplifier, a DAC and a network player within a single chassis. This approach avoids combining several separate units to obtain a complete system capable of playing audio files, connecting to a home network and driving speakers directly.
The amplification relies on a class AD module built around GaN FET transistors (gallium nitride), an architecture designed to reduce signal dead time in order to improve operating linearity. It delivers a power output of 250 W into 8 as well as 4 ohms, leaving a comfortable margin for driving current-hungry speakers. Digital-to-analogue conversion is handled by an ES9038PRO chip from manufacturer ESS, a recognised reference in the world of high-end DACs.
The stated measurements reflect a high level of technical rigour: harmonic distortion of 0.007% at the speaker output and just 0.00033% at the pre-out, a signal-to-noise ratio of 109 dB on the speaker output and 124 dB on the pre-out, along with a damping factor of 150 at 1 kHz. The frequency response spans from 10 Hz to 85 kHz (± 3 dB), a wide range that extends beyond the audible spectrum and reflects good circuit control.
In terms of connectivity, the RS520A supports a very wide range of audio formats, including MQA, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, DSD (up to DSD512) and ALAC, as well as PCM at 32-bit / 768 kHz. It integrates network streaming with AirPlay, Roon and DLNA compatibility, internet radio, and services such as Tidal, Apple Music or Qobuz, as well as a Bluetooth receiver. The physical connections include an RCA line input, an RCA pre-out output, an optical digital input and output, three USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI eARC port, a 4K HDMI output, a USB-B port, a screw-terminal speaker block, an RJ-45 Ethernet port and a trigger input/output.
This type of unit is aimed at a user wishing to simplify their stereo system while retaining a high level of performance: a single unit centralises the network source, digital conversion and amplification, which is particularly suited to listening in a living room or office where space and the number of cables need to remain limited.
Technical specifications
| Power output | 250 W into 8 and 4 ohms |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz to 85 kHz (± 3 dB) |
| THD+N (speaker output) | 0.007% |
| THD+N (pre out output) | 0.00033% |
| Damping factor at 1 kHz | 150 |
| Signal to noise ratio (speaker output) | 109 dB |
| Signal to noise ratio (pre out output) | 124 dB |
| Compatible formats | MQA, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, DFF, DSF, AAC, CDA, AMR, EC3, E-EC3, MID, ALAC, PCM, DSD |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 348 x 127 x 328 mm |
| Weight | 8.1 kg |
What to check before buying used
The motorised potentiometer may develop crackling or a channel imbalance after several years of use: a test at low and high volume can check for this. The power supply capacitors age and can affect the power handling of the GaN modules over time. It is worth checking that all network formats and the Wi-Fi/Ethernet module respond correctly, as a malfunction of the network board is the most common failure point on this type of all-in-one unit. Checking for the absence of background noise or hum at the speaker output confirms the good condition of the amplification stages.
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