I am curious if anyone has got the RD160 ?
If so, does it good ?
I received mine yesterday.
How to say, everything is there, but it’s confusing…
The encephalogram is flat, nothing happens. There is stereo, but that’s it, no 3D effect, it’s cold, tasteless…
I’m going to let it burn-in for a few days before having a final judgment, but it’s off to a bad start…
I should point out that I used the same cables as when my RS130 was connected to my Bryston DAC via the RSA720.
For the moment the Bryston is light years away from the RD160.
Disappointment…
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Sorry to hear that.
I am interested in getting one too.
But I auditioned it yesterday in the dealer’s showroom. It’s good but not as good as my LAIV Harmony DAC.
I understand that it’s hard to make final judgement without comparing it with my DAC head-to-head in my system.
But as you said it only gave me a slightly above average impression.
Probably I’d better wait and gather more feedbacks about it.
Hope your RD160 performs as it should be after burning in.
Thanks
Hi PatriceP,
Any improvement of the RD160 after burning-in for a few days ?
That’s not a good sign.!!
So!
Some news about the RD160.
After letting it run for 5 days non-stop, I am pleasantly surprised by the way the DAC has turned out.
The sound has taken meat from the bone, the scene has opened up, without reaching that of the Bryston. On the other hand, I can now hear more details, I even rediscover certain pieces of music with small details that were almost inaudible before.
The bass has tightened up and has a very pleasant amplitude, where it was the worst (in the low mids and mids), it is really good, the treble is less sibilant.
The integration with the RS130 is obvious and everything works as it should between the two.
I think it will sound even better in a few days and I do not regret this purchase.
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Thank you PatriceP
So glad to hear that it’s improving significantly. Definitely will seriously consider of getting it.
Thanks again
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I borrowed for 3 days an Rd160 that worked great against my Rs150b
I bought this Dac, it’s brand new and it’s actually flat and cold. He will turn for a few days to relax
To be continued.
Reading through these threads. I have my RD and am also replacing a Bryston - I am using their network streamer as a DAC - and i have been very happy with the Bryston’s performance. I also have their BCD-3 cd player. My concern with Rose products, and I have three other Rose products besides the RD, is the software……
MisterScot,
Software? Our hardware is the absolute best.
StandardModel
I had and replaced my BDA3 which was really exceptional (in its price category) by RD160. After a few hours of burning, I did not regret the BDA3 for a second, moreover the RS130 - RD160 combination is unbeatable (still in its price category). But yes, the problem with Rose is the software, moreover their update 1.23 for the RD160 is a disaster and fortunately, I was able to go back to version 1.15… Hoping that their developers will one day be up to the task…
Patrice, thank you and good to hear. Still sorting out my connection situation between the 130 and 160.
It is a very analog rendering, the Rs150b is dry, the Rd160 wider
On the drum toms it is very sensitive
The Dac Rose is now not far from 100 hours of operation, I was able to pose last weekend for some listening
As I specified during the test at home, the difference that immediately jumps to the ears is the battery strikes!! It’s full, ample. With the Dac of the Rs 150b it’s drier
I find the aeration, the stage width, the superb transparency and this dynamic while having a beautiful softness, a very deep bass (it was already excellent with the Rs150b) the holding of the latter with the Dg68 (Accuphase) is impressive.
The differences appear:
-On the voices, still so superb but a little better “integrated”, forcing the line: less projected but it is marginal because already very good before
-The consistency of the medium or high bass is more physical, less dry, in short a very analog rendering
-The depth of the scene as a result that gains
In terms of use and practical side it is perfect, the screen can turn off after a few minutes of operation and it is therefore very sober, I do not use upscale, the default setting is “By pass” and I also use the original filter (not sure to hear differences between each)
The setup is simple and intuitive, it allows for example to choose between a variable or fixed output level with levels between 1 and 9 volts in Xlr (half in Rca).
The aluminum remote control allows simple and easy access to all settings (setup, dimming, filters, upscale, volume if necessary)
The finish is excellent as on the other devices in their range, the aluminum parts are very thick and perfectly treated.
The E5000 amplifier accepts 5 volts as input, I set the fixed output to 3 volts to be close to the “standard” outputs of the brand’s sources which is 2.5 v