The Golden Age of Audio in Modern Times? The Hi-Fi Rose RA280 Integrated Amplifier brings the VIBES!

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#HiFi #Audiophile #Stereo
Lone Crow Audio where you can buy this amp: www.lonecrowaudio.com/
Written Review: www.stevehuffphoto.com/2024/08/10/the-hifi-rose-ra280-integrated-amp-review/
Instagram: @stevehuffofficial (you can hear this amp in action there with the little Galion Speakers)
Today I want to talk about this integrated amp that I see no one really talking about much at all! This is such a great integrated that after some. time with it I wanted to do a review as I feel many of you may enjoy what this one brings to the table.
This reminds me of the old days, back in the late 70s as this integrated has mass power at 250 WPC, a superb MM Phono stage, uses a dual mono amp configuration and this baby pumps out this power with ease. Tone controls are here that do not degrade the sound as well and they really work well to add some heft or air.
This one has a big solid volume dial (which I love) as well as solid controls and switches. The construction is of high quality here in both parts and build. HIFi Rose comes from South Korea and they are making some fantastic audio gear at not so crazy prices.
The sound of the RA280 is smooth, warm and with plentiful bass but at the same time it doesn't get clouded, veiled or dull. Rather it has a way of sounding open and organic with some holographic imaging as well (as long as your source is up to it).
I mainly used this amplifier with the Auralic Vega S1 DAC/Streamer and it was a perfect match! For a total of $6k one can have the integrated amp that will drive just about any speaker made with ease and a high end gorgeous streamer that streams it all. Add speakers and you are done unless you want to add a record player. In that case the built in phono stage here is fantastic.
Enjoy the review!
Media Contact/Review Inquiries Contact: [e-mail]

[@HiFiHuff]

Written Review is now up: www.stevehuffphoto.com/2024/08/10/the-hifi-rose-ra280-integrated-amp-review/

[@cctc788]

You get your mind blown by everything.

[@cubswin66]

Looks like a piece of radio equipment from MASH, which isn't a bad thing at all. Radar would dig it.

[@mpp9964]

Section 8!

[@jakedavis2838]

Makes sense. MASH was supposed to be in Korea!

[@samratraj12]

How are all the items that you review always amazing always blowing your mind why don’t we have any with limitations or shortfalls

[@deanfisher1656]

Heard this with the MoFi 888 at one of my favorite audio salons in the Chicago area and was blown away by the bass control, midrange, and top end resolution. Very impressive.

[@markhodge5006]

@deanfisher1656 that's my dream system or Rotel Michi III with the Sonner Legato Unum. I'm torn.🤔

[@markhodge5006]

That's going to be my system!😁

[@mitchparker7652]

Just the right amount of control, done in a classy/simple way.

[@csgband]

I have this amp and I truly love it. I use it with my Buchardt S400 MKII Custom Signature Edition - Fauna speakers, I have the S10 on the way. A real joy.

[@bentleygt3716]

thank for for reviewing HIFI ROSE. i got excited when you paired it with the QUALIO and you thought it was great , but you like it more with the OGY. so the search continues for what goes best the Qualio-IQ Ultra. thanks again great episode.

[@capwkidd]

The nice thing about the RA280 is that it has a rare feature, shelving EQ! Which is the best… look at the manual to see…

[@TheDjcarlos67]

The Quad 34 pre amp has similar tone controls. Very handy at times🎶

[@TrueAudio]

what is 'shelving EQ' ?

[@CinemaDemocratica]

Sounds like it might be a nice match for the Amphion Argon 3s.

[@mannycazz8018]

Dont listen to the haters out there. You know your gear your room and your experiences and expectations. A ranking system by price point would be handy with each category from speakers amps dacs etc. Rock on from So California.

[@SavageListener]

Lone Crow Audio in Santa Rosa, CA always pulling through loaning equipment to our favorite reviewers. They do us viewers a solid so if you are interested in this awesome amp I would advise reaching out to them to order one for you. This amp is the real deal.

[@icecreamman8331]

How would you say the ra280 compares to the Kinky EX M1+?

[@scottbennett3119]

I'm not sure why I passed on this review initially. I may have thought this was another streamer. I am glad I finally watched this!. I bought it!

[@ThatGuy-mn2gg]

@scottbennett3119 I am lusting after a Yammy as2200. I plan on pairing it with Martin Logans Motion F10s. Is the Rose comparable to this type of Class A old school amp, or is it something that I will have to adjust my perception of what sound is? (Not sure if this makes sense). I have read time and time again that the Yammy is way more powerful than it's 100w 8ohm, 150w 4ohm listings. The Martin Logans are 200 - 250 watts in 4 ohms. I would imagine that 95% of my listening will be at 9 o'clock. Analog, 150 watt plus amps that can run 4 ohms speakers are pretty rare these days. (At least at Crutchfield. Don't want Rotel, and they no longer carry the Halo Hint amps) I love everything about the Yammy except for the listed power and the price. The power may not be an issue for my listening objectives. The price, I don't feel that the Yammy is overpriced at all. The looks, the heritage, and the features and the build quality certainly justifies the price, IMO. But if I could get about 90% of what I'm looking for, for 1500 less, then that would obviously be a win.

[@scottbennett3119]

I am still waiting for delivery. I will get back later.

[@ThatGuy-mn2gg]

@@scottbennett3119 awaiting your review👍🏿👍🏿

[@c34webb]

Are you bagging the AGD monos?

[@looyoo0-u6i]

I’d love something that looks like this but is a headphone amp

[@craigosterberg5045]

Thanks

[@Edin8140]

How does it compares to the yamaha r n2000a?

[@rogerfalk5079]

Where is this made?

[@HiFiHuff]

@@rogerfalk5079 South Korea, same as all HiFi rose products. Thanks for watching!

[@tm-ue3dt]

How about pairing it Sonus Faber Extrema?

[@revelry1969]

You keep saying it’s “warm” leaning. You mention the eq…. But can’t eq to resolve this? Maybe in defeat mode it is warm…. But didn’t it can up the treble to resolve the “overly” warm?

[@billd4814]

Is the Naim Supernait 3 still at or near your top for integrated?

[@brosmile9388]

Price?

[@robertendsley8312]

Would this pair well with KEF R3 Meta(s)?

[@SavageListener]

Absolutely

[@sergiymarchenko1002]

...aMMMazing!!!..

[@peterlundskow4061]

Sounds like it might help my Maggies in concern of treble & bass.

[@stimpy1226]

Sounds like the Galion TS A75

[@HiFiHuff]

@@stimpy1226 nope. This doesn’t sound like the 75. The 75 is a power amp like the A20 vs an integrated like the Rose. The 75 has more sizzle up top vs the rose, and the rose has a touch more heft in the bass. The 75 is more airy vs the Rose but not as refined or solidified as the A20. All of them bring differences. The key is to find what works best for your speakers and room :)

[@wegardfjeld3789]

What pre did you use with the A75? I had to room EQ and correct the A75 base down.

[@PhilKyle]

Thought it was a Carver …..duhh

[@CinemaDemocratica]

I still remember when that TFM series came out too -- what a huge shift in that company's aesthetic that was, my goodness. Curious: Were you a fan of the Carver house sound, or a non-fan? There never seemed to be much middle.

[@ThatGuy-mn2gg]

Man, I miss my Carver CM 1090.

[@alstonmaccow9386]

I love the look at this amp but the problem is you. You’re not your truer self as you love everything and there is the problem! You can’t love every product you review. There has to be something you dont like

[@stijnvanderlooy5311]

Yeah, i am also lost. Some kind of ranking of components seems very much needed

[@murraywebster1228]

If all you are reviewing is the cream of cream products then it would be hard not to like everything…

[@deantaylor1512]

The guy was /is the same with Leica gear …

[@watchin-stoof988]

Couldn’t agree more - this guy loves literally every item no matter the price

[@scslite5206]

problem with most YT reviewers it's purely for content for clicks and subscriptions, hence are not credible at all!

[@alvarocoutinho3103]

To bad it has no provision for R2R.

[@TrueAudio]

what is R2R?

[@alvarocoutinho3103]

@@TrueAudioreel tape recorder.

[@TrueAudio]

@@alvarocoutinho3103 So who is now manufacturing reel to reel tape machines?

[@alvarocoutinho3103]

@@TrueAudiowell, do a little research and you’ll see how strong they are coming back. Right now via restorations.

[@TrueAudio]

@@alvarocoutinho3103 i'd love to have a brand new r2r. i have tapes i recorded back in early '70s. i know what you're talking about but not prepared to waste, and i mean waste $30k to $100k