Any chance of incorporating the new AK4911 into the RD 160?

ROSE Products RD160
#1

This looks like a real opportunity for upgrading the RD 160, particularly since the SINAD specs on the RD 160 aren’t world beating by any means. This looks like a real opportunity to improve those specs without too much development time or investment.

I do have an RD 160 and love it but this AKM AK 4911 looks very good with SINAD at -150dB.

The noise figure is the real story. MUSES8920A’s 8.0nV/√Hz is decent but unremarkable by today’s best-in-class standards. AK4911’s 0.96nV/√Hz is roughly 8x lower noise voltage — that’s not a marginal improvement, that’s a different tier of part. For reference, that puts the AK4911 in the same league as the very best discrete-class and ultra-low-noise op-amps on the market (e.g., LME49710-class or better), explicitly because AKM designed it as a current-summing output stage for multi-bit current-output DACs like the AK4499EX — a much more specialized job than a general-purpose audio op-amp.

THD comparison is apples-to-oranges as published. MUSES8920A’s 0.0004% converts to about −108dB. AKM’s claimed −150dB THD+N is over 40dB better — again consistent with AK4911 being a purpose-built, modern part rather than a general dual op-amp from over a decade ago (the MUSES8920 datasheet itself dates to 2012-2013).

StandardModel

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#2

I agree that if you’re going to refresh a product, you should improve the quality of the components when ever possible. I’d say upgrade the chips and also the clock. SC cut clocks also reduce the noise floor along w jitter and drift.

But I believe that its not just the measurements but the ensuing sound that matters most.
Once you get to a certain point… the measurements become marketing or bragging rights.

Note: I can hear a difference between an AKM vs ESS DAC. But if you ask me which do I prefer? Sorry they both sound good. (Depending on the chip set)

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#3

@StandardModel

Just to add, I agree that the products seem to be getting a bit ‘long in tooth’ (old) when you see the competition releasing new products.

The RS520 is another example of a product that needs a refresh.

#4

@StandardModel

Thank you for your technical feedback and for sharing your thoughts regarding the AK4911.

We have forwarded your comments to our hardware development team for review.

However, please understand that the RD160 is an already finalized hardware platform, and upgrades involving changes to the DAC chip or major analog circuit components are not feasible for the existing product.

That said, our development team is continuously evaluating various next-generation components and design approaches for future DAC products. Your suggestions regarding the AK4911 have also been shared internally as valuable feedback for consideration in future product development.

At HiFi ROSE, product development is based not only on measurement specifications, but also on overall sound quality, circuit design, power supply architecture, and system-wide performance in real-world listening environments.

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