HiFi Jewelry 💍 HiFi Sound! RA180 HIFI ROSE AMP REVIEW

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

✅ *Get HiFi Rose here bit.ly/3NvfAzr and bit.ly/3awjESs* ✅ *👉THANKS ❤to highlight your question &/or support the channel!* ✅ 👉keeps.com/AndrewRobinson to get 50% off your 1st Keeps order! ✅ *🎵+ 🎥 + PRODUCTS SHOWN☝CLICK “SHOW MORE” in the description*

[@Labor_Jones]

so... I wanted to thank you. I got my Audio-Technica LP-140 at least 6 weeks early and it's being set up by Leonard who has had a 60-year business selling and fixing things electronics. Leonard apparently hasn't had many DJ Turntables and asked me if I was going to play Records Backwards. He's fiddled with Turntables as a service for more than 1/2 a Century. So it was very relieving how much he liked it. ....... I also bought a NAGAOKA - P200 Cartridge Assembly instead of the Otofone-2M Black. The P200 has a beryllium cantilever with a fairly small Elliptic Needle and matches or exceeds most of the Otofone 2M Blacks $700 price. .... I found a deal in Japan for $330, but most of the NEW is around $430 which is a replacement 'Stylus' in the future. .... anyway, I still haven't gotten the TT to the house, but I wanted you to know 2 Things.... 1. Peoples orders might be coming soon? 2. To Thanks you Guys - m.

[@KristiWright]

@@Labor_Jones Enjoy!

[@Audiomainia2310]

Would this be even better in Class H? A beautiful piece of artwork, no doubt. One of the more stunning looking pieces I've seen in many years. But Class D? Hmmm....

[@acronus]

Someone else made the comment below, and I agree, that this amp looks similar to stuff from Nagra, but busier.

[@Audiomainia2310]

BTW - have your Andrew and Kristi considered reviewing OSD amps?

[@KristiWright]

❤️ To everyone who stays around to watch until the end, thank you for doing so! It means a great deal to both of us.

[@Boxkerp]

I always watch your videos to the end. Can't get enough gear talk.

[@KristiWright]

@@Boxkerp Thank you!!

[@TorontoJon]

Hey, Kristi. I always watch your videos from beginning to end. All the best! :)

[@williamgreen6729]

I always watch til the end. Some of the best stuff happens after Andrew's review.

[@ElMayimbe73]

The end is always my favorite part. Love you guys.

[@charlesking678]

One thing I really appreciate about this channel is the versatility. Sometimes you review affordable gear and then other times you give us high dollar items, and there are plenty of products in the middle. All in all Consistently solid infotainment.

[@movie_av_impulse]

Man that is one of the prettiest amplifier I've ever laid my eyes on! As far as design this is retro yet Futuristic looking! Kristi IT'S NOT A BLACK BOX!!! 🤣 I agree with the both of you the should of used a class A for power output It is a tough call with that price point! P.S. Kristi true fans watch till the END!! 🤗

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

It is hifi jewelry for sure! I give Rose props for at least trying to be different in a sea of ho-hum black boxes. Yes, ride or dies ALWAYS watch to the end 😉 BTW, very interesting take on breaking down the New World film. I would love your viewer opinion someday.

[@KristiWright]

And we really appreciate those of you who do! Truly.

[@movie_av_impulse]

@@andrewrobinsonreviews I believe you posted a Picture of this in the community page before and I even commented how gorgeous it was. The styling on that alone I mean if you're a rich man $7000 a short change. To have all those black boxes surrounding it and then you get that as a centerpiece to your audio tower it's just gorgeous!!!

[@movie_av_impulse]

@@KristiWright we know you do!! I even watch the ad's fully 🙄 but I know it helps you guys so I do it!!! I don't do it for anyone else 🤫

[@KristiWright]

@@movie_av_impulse We really do appreciate that. It does make a difference!

[@davidmeffert2237]

Hey Kristi, I always stay to the end because I want to hear your opinion as well as your interacton with Andrew. Its a lot of what makes the channel great and sets it apart from the others.

[@KristiWright]

😍

[@erics.4113]

You mention Tool enough to make me love you even more. The thought of you jamming tool or rage or primus through all this high-end gear just makes me smile immensely.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

We do, all day everyday!

[@bencausey]

Hey guys. On a personal note, I’d like you to know that your kind and winsome personalities really do come through in all of your videos. I don’t want to sound like a helpless crybaby here, but for those of us who happen to be on our own in life, you guys are much appreciated. Love y’all. 👍

[@KristiWright]

I'm not crying, you're crying! ❤️

[@gavriushka]

We absolutely, most definitely watch to the end. This ain’t no regular review, it’s a full blown show. We watch it religiously to the end hoping for a post credit scene haha. In all seriousness, it’s a gorgeous piece. I want the Rotel to have this look. That’ll be perfection (PUT HDMI ALREADY IN). Great video!

[@KristiWright]

❤️

[@DCB_audio]

How did they not go with tubes? That would have completed the look 1000%. Gears with glowing tubes, analog meters, now that would have been amazing.

[@tobalive]

Hi Kristi!! (my favorite reviewer) As I said once... you are my main reason to watch, any hint of a hype by Andrew's words are always tempered by you, especially when you don't like a piece of equipment, so keep in mind that I am one of those (most times) that watches the whole video, if only to hear your take. Much Love :) P.S. $7000? No!, I think we are paying for the look.

[@KristiWright]

Thank you, Rickie!

[@cheynesd]

When this amp appeared in the background during other reviews the past couple weeks, I thought it was the classic line from the Swiss manufacturer 'Nagra'. Hifi Rose definitely got some aesthetic inspiration from Nagra. Great video as always, thank you!

[@cameronkrause4712]

just not quite as classy as Nagra

[@cheynesd]

@@cameronkrause4712 For sure not even close. I was all excited the past couple weeks as I thought it was a Nagra product in the background, lols.

[@WilkinsonX]

8:25 The first ever class D amp with an integrated electric can opener

[@kentangius]

this video was worth the wait, thank you Mr. & Mrs. Robinson.

[@KristiWright]

😍

[@lazycalm41]

Really glad you reviewed this amp Andrew. I have been seeing ads for it in the HiFi magazines recently and I think it looks incredible! I have honestly never seen anything like it. The styling and details are amazing and I love that volume control. However I think you both raise some valid points on the amps internals and class of amplification. That price tag though!! If I could afford it I think I would!

[@jked7463]

Totally agree with Christi, this would be much more attractive if it was class A/B, especially mosfet to really set itself even more in front of the crowd.

[@mw4609]

This steampunk/science-experiment peice looks awesome - love it! Class D - it's the future, so we adapt or perish. DSP allows adjustment of sound however we want anyway. Rolled-off highs/lows or 'thinness' - easily fixed. That second set of speaker outputs need a second set of inputs (4-ch of DSP processing for 2-way active use).

[@wg5768]

Whether you like the looks or not,Rose put a lot of detail in this design.

[@RandySmith-iz1ml]

As for looks, looks are down the list of priorities for me as I've gotten older. It looks really good. When I was young, I wanted shoes that looked cool and other people were wearing too, that I could afford. Now, I want shoes that are comfortable #1, then can I afford them and are they practical, then do they look nice. When it comes to powering my music, #1 is how does is sound with my speakers, #2 is it within budget, #3 is it enough power and practical, #4 can it be repaired within 90 minutes of me, #5 how does it look. Priorities change as you get older.

[@frederickhardman3389]

Looks are always underrated with the hifi community and the rose at a 11

[@TorontoJon]

16:18 Hey, Kristi and Andrew. I always watch your videos from beginning to end. They are part of my relaxing Sunday routine. All the best as always! :)

[@KristiWright]

And we so appreciate you! Enjoy the rest of your day!

[@alexorigoni8626]

I’m so glad you did this review, I’ve been dying of curiosity about this component.

[@aceofspades6667]

This design aesthetic is right up my ally... I would love this and a great 300b tube amp to round out my chain. There is another class D amp you might want to take a look at which is TOTL it's cherry amps. They have a Megashino set of Mono blocks for $10k and it's got a very nice sound signature.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

You wouldn't need a 300B tube amp if you had the Rose. Appreciate you tuning in this morning!

[@glenk0]

I trust your judgement on the sound of this thing, I can’t get passed those looks though. The mixture of ‘70s inspired Yamaha style paddle knobs with 70s Kenwood style rotary knobs and a 70s style Rotel slide control thrown on top amounts to a confusing look. Hifi Rose goes so far out of its way to force cool on this thing, my eyes tear due to the burn inflicted by the steampunk adjacent visuals. On the other hand, high end Class D amps and SMPS power supplies are getting to be so good. These technologies are pushing audio into the future…. I always enjoy your reviews, thanks for all you do!

[@timlamadrid1988]

For the record, if I’m not super interested in the device, I’ll sometimes skip to the end of the formal review to Kristi’s take. I enjoy the back and forth between the two of you and feel like I get a more real world take on things. But don’t stop doing the formal review!

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Appreciate you watching, Tim!

[@TwentyTenPhotography]

Andrew, you’re asking where we have seen this. Nagra, the Swiss company. Just they do it with a bit more style and perfection, and don’t overdo it. The gears on the volume control are a bit too much, imo. On the amp itself; considering how cheap even the most sophisticated class D modules are, you clearly pay for the mechanical bells and whistles. So to me it comes down to the question: Do I want to spend my money on unique design or better sonic qualities. As a Linn owner I made my decision for the latter. Great review as always!

[@davidgerald285]

I've been enjoying the hifi rose rs150B and ra180 with dynaudio heritage special speakers, and tellurium ultra black ii speaker cable, XLR and interconnects, it's a great sounding enjoyable combination, I'm very happy with system.

[@shmishymcfish283]

I wonder if these larger companies like Technics, Pioneer, Yamaha and such will go for looks similar to that of this integrated. Personally I love the styling, it reminds of the vintage gear you can find and I’m all for it. Maybe one day one of those big companies will reproduce one of their classic receivers just slightly modernized, like the SX-1980. But all in all amazing review Andrew and Christie, been waiting on this one since I saw that post of the meters

[@joscallinet6260]

This unit's LOOKS are so egregiously commanding in a highly distracting fashion that consideration of its sound quality comes in a distant second - and its Class-D technology pushes most people away who might otherwise consider it. The HiFi Rose Model 180 is fated to be a flash-in-the-pan oddity which will likely disappear from the marketplace in very short order to join the ranks of other impractical and overpriced oddities. It's the FORD EDSEL of integrated amplifiers (for those old enough to remember the Ford EDSEL automobile of the late 1950s, which was quickly withdrawn from production because it never sold well).

[@manolomanb9005]

I saw this product a little while ago and couldn't come up with the words..... You nailed it! "Crazy Ass Cool Factor". Great Review!

[@lonniefarmer7067]

Never have I seen an amp like that! It has a very unique design with gears and nobs putting it into an industrial age revamp.

[@p3030134]

We waaaaatch Kristy, we watch!!! :) I loved the conversation on this one... I keep enjoying your videos more and more. I hope I am blessed enough to be able to reach the point of buying products like these for my home.

[@davidjurney]

I absolutely love the look of and way that this integrated operates. It’s out of my price range, but I would be tempted on looks alone and I’m not against the use of the class D topology if done well.

[@adamlink7561]

I looks like a well built unit, probably not for my space but I see what they were going for. However,I have trouble with an integrated at that price point without a DAC especially being a class D amp. I think a DAC is to me what HDMI is to you. Doesn’t make it a bad product but leaves you asking “why not?” I just don’t want an extra box sitting in my room. Thanks again and have a great week.

[@brandonhampton7505]

It looks like an oversized CB radio! I love it!!!! Stayed till the end…. I love this channel. Thank you both for the informative, and entertaining content. You help me spend my money wisely.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

The Swiss Watch of integrated amps 😆 (Swatch) Thanks Andrew/Christi . Build Quality looks Amazing ! And having dual amps built inside for Bi-amping helps a lot with Eletronical Mechanical Noise , Something that doesn't get talked about much in the Hifi community these days 😥'Yet' I will go into more detail with my upcoming video on Bi-amping not bi-wiring ! Thanks Again

[@S.L.1211]

That thing looks awesome! I’d love that on my hifi rack or sideboard.

[@kentlangston4619]

Thanks!

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Thank you so much for supporting the channel, Kent!

[@kentlangston4619]

@@andrewrobinsonreviews It’s my pleasure, you both make it fun 🤩

[@kentlangston4619]

I just turned 69 on the 13th , Just finished the Polk XT Speakers , XT35 , XT20 , Xt90 , PS10 Sub , Bose Rear Satellites, Yamaha RX a2a Receiver and Xbox X and Media Bridge Cables , best I could afford being retired ! Hope this sound not to bad a system ! 😊

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Happy belated birthday! It sounds like you have a great set up! Enjoy it :)

[@scottstephen3905]

How bad ass does it look? I agree it is one of a kind, but I’ve never been fond of SteamPunk, so I’m leaning towards just bad, the word cluttered looking also applies. I find your comment about you think Rose wants you to buy this with the streamer to be interesting. Speaking to design only, I find the design differences to be severely jarring between those two units. The streamer reminds me of the look of the Michi, so combining that look with SteamPunk leaves me at a loss. Or maybe the simple question of “why???”

[@A.R.B.J.]

That is an eye catching design. I like it.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Eye catching for sure! Thanks for tuning in!

[@josephramos7979]

This reminds me of something that would be in the movie Hugo and once turned on and those gears start moving it would morph into a class A/B amp!

[@Turtleback8024]

🤣 👉 I see what you’ve done there… wishful thinking right there!

[@slip6699]

We never got the streamer review or the follow on RA-280. I'm probably going to pick this unit up. Wife likes the look. I tried the accuphase E-280 and she called it old looking. :(

[@babagandu]

Wow !!! Great Korea 🇰🇷 quality 👍🏻👍🏻

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Oh the build quality of all the HiFi Rose products (at least the latest ones) appears to be TOP NOTCH!

[@KentThan88]

this amp is 4ch with crossover adjustment , definitely are Meant to be Bi-amping , so it can powered up a single speaker hi and low separately with 2 amp , that makes a lot of different

[@Dmu_girl-2008]

I'm glad you are reviewing this brand with it being so new seeing more info on its products is very interesting. I like the look of the amp a lot but I'm not sure if that would wear off quickly, others on forums I frequent were not impressed. I am looking forward to the streamer review.

[@pdemetriou92]

... Andrew, sorry but what is the A/B sound and what is the Class D sound?... I have a POWERNODE and Marantz 6006uk and there is no sound difference! 🤷🏻...

[@KristiWright]

Andrew attempts to answer this question in a comment above.

[@CAthomaselliott]

It's taken. bit of time to pull this comment together, but, the HIFI Rose claiming as a Class A-D amplifier is marketing talk to their "Advanced D" which is appropriate. GaN (Gallium Nitride used in their MOSFET Transistors) is 1000x more efficient than Silicon in a transistor. GaN based Power Amplifiers are just beginning to get good. Really good. The next generation is underscored by the soon-to-be-released Peachtree GaN 1. Unfortunately, any Amplifier made with these GaN MOSFET's will get tagged with the Class D label and many of us Audiophiles will pan it because we see Class D and identify as being Class A or AB bi*ches. HIFI Rose may not be there with the noise floor yet but I think that future Class D Amps made with GaN MOSFETs need a way to differentiate themselves. Class AD or Advanced D might not be it but a differentiation from Silicon based transistors is needed because the difference is profound. Something for the Marketing types to figure out. I'm biased on Class A or AB myself. Nothing I love more than seeing a big toroid isolating within the chassis and looking at these Class D Amps ... there's no donut and the immediate disappointment is real. However these new GaN based amplifier circuits coming out in 2022 from Peachtree and Mytek may begin to change peoples opinions about Class D.

[@fourthplanet]

cool looking piece of electronics. Hey I really enjoy your videos. Definitely has helped in selecting stereo gear. Nice to have your insights and I have come to enjoy Kristi's input as well.

[@KristiWright]

Thank you for watching, John!

[@classicrock7890]

Musical Fidelity do 500W and Class A/B if you want a valid comparison here.

[@LLNYRN]

I've been looking at The Rose since early this year. I absolutely fell in love with its Jules Verne/HG Wells Steampunk aesthetic. But Affordable? Sadly, Not For Moi!

[@scottstrang1583]

That Rose amp is really cool looking. 20 years down the road (should one decide to keep it that long) I wonder it it would be fixable.

[@fonkenful]

Scott,serviceability is a problem plaguing many of much more mainstream legacy audio brands than HiFi Rose; I had to give up trying to find someone to look at my dead in the water 7yr old Marantz CR611, and ended up picking up a BlueSound Node streamer/pre-amp, which plays very nicely with an existing Neurochrome Modulus286 power amp. Also had an issue with an Onkyo surround receiver suffering from the flaky HDMI board problem that was widespread for a while - worked like a charm for around the same number of years, then started playing silly bugger and would take sometimes 5 power on cycles before the audio would lock on, and even then it would totally occasionally blank out for a few seconds. While I’m of the age where I could wax philosophically as to the simplicity of the old school analog days, there’s an undeniable appeal to the functionality, convenience and relative affordability of today’s home entertainment products offering performance value that we could only have dreamed of back in “the golden era” of the last decades of the previous century. There’s something about the RA180 that just screams “not your gramps’ integrated”

[@carolineleonard8214]

Another excellent review and input from Kristi. I was heading for an audition of this amp as I love the looks. Your thoughts on the noise/hiss have now given me a more cautionary approach. The opinion of kristi is important as I now think it will reflect the opinion of my partner. I feel that the Michi x3 will be my first audition and if it doesn't float my boat I'm going to up my budget to the Mark Levinson 5805, which I've heard and is superb/probably my end game amp. Once again great post and keep up the excellent work, definitely addictive.

[@shemsureshot]

I like it’s look, it kind of has a steam punk vibe to it!

[@KristiWright]

Very!

[@chawonytube]

Great episode. Nice piece of audio gear. Great job.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Thank you kindly!

[@gregfriedler2727]

I just ran the numbers…and I don’t have $7000 for a gimmick. Looks cool though.

[@cybergod77]

It looks beautiful, like a souped up Nagra amp. It's high Price, class D and audible noise floor will make it a challenging buy?

[@roinebloom2807]

I like the looks of the 180, but I think in the long run, Yamaha, Luxman or Accuphase is more my cup of tea. And of course, Marantz PM 10. Anyway, thanks for the review. Awesome as always.

[@therealboofighter]

Ok. I watch to the end on just about all the videos. The interaction between you two is great. I agree with you guys about the class D on this amp. Also the the look of the streamer is so jarring and opposite of this amp. You mentioned that they will want you to buy them together but they don’t look like they belong to the same company. Not that every product that a company builds needs to look the same, but in this case the amp is so stylish and definitely going for a look and the streamer is not even close. The Technics is a very stylish unit able to sit out as a centre piece on its own. Hope this is a some what coherent thought.

[@TorontoJon]

19:15 That HiFi Rose RA180 amp looks like something out of a Jules Verne novel (like '20,000 Leagues Under The Sea') like Steampunk design in a way or in a more modern sense, like something one would see in a nuclear missile silo during the Cold War. It has that bells and whistles, cogs and wheels cool factor for sure. :)

[@techsamurai11]

It's a missing a red button😁but offers the convenience of a remote control so you can blow up the world while comfortably sitting in your sofa.

[@TorontoJon]

@@techsamurai11 Haha! Yeah, good point. :)

[@westcoast708]

I still miss my carver magnetic field amp with the lighted meters just looked so cool 😎 Andrew Kristy always a pleasure 🙏.

[@KristiWright]

Thanks for hanging out with us, WC.

[@ginap2112]

People’s hatred of Class D makes me laugh. The very latest high quality D amps sound phenomenal. As usual, a double-blind test would probably shock most people.

[@CinemaDemocratica]

People are starting to buzz quite a bit about the RA-280, as well, and I'd hang on every syllable if the Robinsons wanted to give it the treatment.

[@karankhatana9528]

Hi there Mr Robinson, would you mind giving me your 2 cents on which speaker should I buy,The Focal Chorus 726 or The Klipsch Fives.They both cost around the same ( Focal Chorus cost me 300$ more). My main usage would be listening to music

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Morning. The two speakers are not comparable as the Focal will require you to also buy an amp or receiver in order to listen to music. If you don't want to do that then the Fives are the only option.

[@karankhatana9528]

@@andrewrobinsonreviews which amp would you recommend for beginner audiophile like me who's main audio source would be Apple Music (I'm sorry I do not own any Vinyls just yet)

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

@@karankhatana9528 I don't know your budget, but the Powernode bit.ly/36hNHrB is one of the best, do it all products you can buy.

[@karankhatana9528]

@@andrewrobinsonreviews Thanks Andrew really appreciate your advice

[@samo8204]

Andrew, have you done a video comparing the different classes?

[@moanabeach]

Bought a Class D ( AD4.320) driving 702s, BIG MISTAKE, there’s more hum from these amps than from the scene in Back to The Future just before Marty hits the Strings ! Starke Suck !

[@moanabeach]

@Douglas Blake hey mate, thanks for that tip, on checking all the cables it appeared that an hdmi cable changed inputs removed the hum and as you said there is only hiss, I’ll be testing some pure class A, cheers from Queensland 🇦🇺

[@bruceheitkamp1724]

What do the gears control, besides volume

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

The gears are volume, but all of the controls feel and are decidedly analog in nature. Everything has a positive click/stepped feel to them.

[@bruceheitkamp1724]

@@andrewrobinsonreviews Is there any difference by having separate controls for each channel vs one control.

[@waterlover]

Kristi is correct unique for sure, to my liking way too many knobs , bars and switches . Looks cool for those that like a cramped up piece of art.

[@amgguy4319]

Thx Andrew & Kristie. R1000 wins. Rose is fairly cool looking, unique. Maybe too busy looking. It's look isn't in harmony with the RS150 - looks mismatched. Class D is in most of the Bang & Olufsen, which cost more, but are way cooler.

[@robneverdon]

I LOVE your content.

[@TombstoneTube]

This is a comprehensive review. Nice one

[@slickill5738]

HiFi Rose is making some really cool stuff, hope its still on the market when I can actually afford it some day.

[@KristiWright]

What would be the price point that would make this type of purchase an easier one?

[@DC_loves_scotch]

This integrated looks like something you can pick up at Sharper Image, maybe pair it with some floating speakers. 😆. Curious if any mind paying a premium for cool moving gears not the amplification topology. We can tell how much Andrew really liked the sound of this product by the enthusiasm given in description of sound and experience. Compared this to the Marantz 40 and McIntosh 5300 reviews and it’s very noticeable.

[@RandySmith-iz1ml]

Curious if you still had the Emotiva XPA HC-1 monoblocks created the hiss on the Klipsch Cornwall IV's. Thinking about pairing those monoblocks with the Cornwall IV or the Forte IV, thanks.

[@agustinduenas5902]

I do look forward to your videos and always watch to the end to hear Kristi's take on the gear presented. The Hifi Rose looks gorgeous but it's almost too busy to focus on any particular aspect on the front panel. I would imagine providing a Class A or AB amp would require a bigger chassis and heat sinks to counter the heat generated. The unit would not look as it does now with the Class D amp.

[@dougg1075]

I freakin love that thing! The looks. Kinda has that Nagra vibe

[@ThousandThrills]

It looks even better in the dark from a demo I've seen and paired with the streamer with the vu meters on, it's even more perfect, I wouldn't buy just the amp. But until I get all that money, they'll have made a new one😄 great work once again, thank you!

[@khoatrieudinh7596]

I would really love a video or a segment of a video where you can explains differences between the classes of amp and how it affects the sound. I'm guessing it mostly due to power and how good it can drive power to the speakers based on what you briefly said in the past, but I still don't get what you and Kristi meant about the sound of class AB or class D and vice versa. Thank you for the great contents!

[@KristiWright]

Khoa, I don't pretend to know or understand the inner workings of the two but what I do know is that I typically prefer amps with class A or AB over class D. We've had enough examples of both in for review and it's almost a given that I will prefer the non class D amp and this is without knowing the makeup prior to making that decision. I'm not saying that class D sounds "bad" as I think those days are mostly long behind us but it just sounds a little more clinical to me (NAD M33 is the best example of this IMO - a near perfect, does everything you need type of product...that I was utterly bored by). There have been a few exceptions for me, notably the Bluesound Powernode (the newest one), the Technics G700 and R1000 where I've really liked the class D amps in these products. I wouldn't discount the HiFi Rose simply because of the Class D, that said I think that had it been built with a class AB design, the price would have been easier for some to accept.

[@daniannaci3258]

Please know there’s a considerable difference in sound between Class A and Class A/B amplifier topologies, so it might be unwise to lump them together. Luxman had a pair of nearly identical integrated amplifiers, the L-590AxII and the L-509X, that had identical preamplifier sections and power supplies, but the 590 was 30 WPC/8 ohm pure class A and the 509 was 120 WPC/8ohm class A/B. They both sounded great, but very, very different. Sadly, the 590 is now discontinued, but when they were both available, the 509 was but $500 more.

[@lebohang8405]

Hifi Rose has been around for about two years now. It seems that it has only made its intro in the US only now. It has been reviewed over KZbin for about two years as well. Great futuristic product still

[@SavageListener]

I was on the class D bandwagon with my Hifirose RS201E integrated streamer, which is a beast at 50wx2, but something was missing in tonal essence. Class D is great for modern electronic music as bass is immediate, but D lacks a vintage relaxed sound for easy listening. My solution was to run it through an Accuphase amp, which took music to another level 😂

[@slip6699]

I was really looking at that pairing.

[@tigertiger1699]

Heard the streamer…. It’s amazing 👍

[@SloopVicB]

Great review. Love the hair cut too.

[@Terry12345]

I have the RS250 and love it. I'm like the both of you. I would be a stretch for me anyway but being a class D I just couldn't do it. That said, if looks could kill.

[@KristiWright]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Terry!

[@jked7463]

I am wondering if your term "softening" of bass and treble is actually the digital not recreating the transient change at the top and bottom of the sound wave. Cymbals and drum hits are not actual sine waves. They are. Instantaneous and major changes in volume at their tips of the sound wave.

[@jked7463]

@@Audfile in these comments, there is not enough room to go full technical. A class D amp is a non linear PWM high speed switching amp. It uses analog devices to "essentially" act like a digital amp. It is not linear. So yes, it uses analog devices but not in a linear way. This channel is not geared toward the technology end of things so I am not going to address the comments that way. What we are saying is we would like the amp to be a linear analog amp as opposed to a analog based high speed switching amp. Is that acceptable to you or are you going to put us down for being stupid again? Lighten up, we are talking about listening to music, not solving world hunger.

[@jked7463]

@@Audfile and I clarified it as analog used in high speed switching mode. In other words the devices are on or off, (1 or 0). Kind of like digital.... Ok? Get it? No, there is no actual digital device but the analog is being used like digital. Again, this is not that important in the big scheme of life. We are talking about listening to music. Lighten up. If this that important to you, you might want to open up your eyes to what is going on outside of the audio world. Enjoy your audio and I will too. Have a good day.

[@Anti0ntem]

Me: "I find your supersized touch screen displays very appealing. I can't wait to see your new intergrated amp." HIFI Rose: "You are not prepared."

[@tobbietsai392]

Wow! Great review. Kristi rocks it. Great job.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Thanks!

[@KristiWright]

Thank you, Tobbie.

[@kamadeva1]

Dismissing class D on its topology alone is reductive. As always, implementation is key, and there are beautiful class D amps out there e.g. NAD with the Purifi modules, or other smaller brands with tube buffers. However, point taken about lean bass and high noise floor. It' s very surprising as their spec sheet says >105dB SNR, putting it close to state of the art. Could it be defective? Great review as always, and happy Sunday to y'all!

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

The noise floor is apparent when using high efficiency speakers like the Cornwall as stated in the review. Traditional speakers do not (really) exhibit these traits.

[@KristiWright]

Q: "Could it be defective?" A: No.

[@psyphonyxaudio]

Yes.. That Streamer is awesome. I want one. This pairing.. Reasonable.. but not for me, personally... but I would buy to support Rose HiFi.

[@KristiWright]

The streamer is pretty great!

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

The streamer is... I don't want to spoil our review.

[@psyphonyxaudio]

@@andrewrobinsonreviews ..Totally. dont do that for others.. but I watch enough to know what it will be. 😋👍🏻

[@psyphonyxaudio]

@@KristiWright ..Its a bit touchy.. and Id say just 1 or 2 things would have made it perfect (imo)

[@scottmeyer6005]

I think it looks cool! Like the gears

[@michaelgallay]

the design makes me think of Nagra products.. it looks great

[@KristiWright]

That’s the third mention of Nagra. Guess it’s time to do a google search.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

The meters, yes, but a lot of the other stuff is a bit more unique. If anything Nagra has gotten more streamlined visually compared to the Rose.

[@scottbaylor6215]

QOTD: I love the design. Looks like something I’d see from Buck Rogers or the $6M Dollar Man episode. PS: I always watch until the end. 🤘🏼🎸🤘🏼

[@joshuakarp2586]

Stupid question: Do banana plugs work on the back panel. I can't tell if those speaker holes are large enough for banana plugs.

[@brianlewis5042]

This integrated amp looks interesting. It is truly a design that sets HiFi Rose apart from most manufacturers. The ability to turn off things not being used should in theory produce a better sound. But I am confused on how to activate this feature. Is it done directly on the amp itself or through an app? I agree with you and Kristi, maybe a class A or A/B topology instead of a powerful class “A/D” design would have put the 180 in a class by itself with respect to design and sound.

[@KristiWright]

It's done manually with a switch.

[@epi2045]

Holy crap! I want! That thing is bussin!

[@KristiWright]

It's cool for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@filofilo8127]

For me the front panel is way too busy. Good review Andrew.

[@tigertiger1699]

Great review🙏🙏

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Thank you 🙌

[@xsouldriverx]

When Andrew mentions Tool and you remember there are actually reviewers out there that listen to music that relates to you and your tastes.

[@KristiWright]

We honestly listen to a lot of different types of music. The only thing we don't really listen to is country music.

[@joshpope2141]

@@KristiWright Check out Colter wall & yes Sturgil Simpson…. “A sailors guide to earth” is a masterpiece

[@xsouldriverx]

@@KristiWright Not a country person either, at least outside of the old 50s Les Paul country. It is just a relief that not everyone's reference is an obscure classical recording on a specific print by a quartet that only ever played together once for 2 hours. If that is your jam that is cool too, it is just harder to relate to.

[@10Filip]

@@KristiWright Lol, country audiophile channel is missing on yt;)

[@bzdtemp]

Good review. From what heard in the review I do not think people should just dismiss the RA 180 due to it being a Class D construction, however finding a way to listen to it will of course be a challenge. Seeing the RA 180 comes with a nice remote is a plus in my book, having a Musical Fidelity pre-amp that sadly underlines how this is not a given. However I do not care for the "steam punk"-like theme of the RA 180, it is to gimmicky for my taste.

[@daniannaci3258]

Darn right this integrated amp caught my eye when I first saw a picture in the trades. More Rube Goldberg than Nagra me thinks. But I wonder about those gears. A solution without a problem like clear acrylic turntables, how are those gears not going to get fouled with dust, pet hair, etc over time. Maybe Rose should provide a specialized tool kit to clean those gear teeth. A hi-fi toothbrush of sorts…

[@gjun72]

Great review again guys! While I would love to give superlatives for my fellow South Korean company’s product, this piece just isn’t my cup of tea. I showed my wife the amp and she said “um no keep the X3.” 😆 That being said I do very much appreciate the design and intent of attracting that certain audience who loves this look. Now since I am saving a bit of money choosing my X3 over this, I wonder if I can apply the savings towards the Hifi Rose streamer you will be reviewing. Please hook it up to the Michi X3 and let me know if it’s a great match!!

[@KristiWright]

You can.

[@TamiyaPhilippW]

Will you test the rose rs210e?! I am looking for a stereo amp with integrated streamer, so it seams to be a nice alternativ to NAD, blue sound and Marantz m40 for a smaller price + cleaner more modern look !

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

We're doing the 150 streamer soon and that is it for Rose at this time.

[@TamiyaPhilippW]

@@andrewrobinsonreviews okay, thanks for the quick response 🤙

[@ajayr8781]

Please correct me if I am wrong. Is this company affiliated with Nagra, as it looks similar.

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

No affiliation.

[@voltairenunez2813]

Good Morning Andrew and Kristi

[@KristiWright]

Morning 👋

[@andrewrobinsonreviews]

Good morning Voltaire! Hope you're well!