New RD160 Video

ROSE Products RD160
#22

Hi joyofmvid,

Followings are the SFP modules and Fiber-optic cables I am currently using after testing with a number of different brands and models, Cornings, Amphenol, DAC, SPF+, OM2, etc – surely only to those I have accessed.

IMO, each one has its strengths and weaknesses. So they are opt to change in the future.
But the combination so far I would say providing the best balance to my system (i.e. to my ears).

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Wall-to-LHY FMC

Linkway Cat8 Silver Ethernet Cable with FSS filter and 24K Gold-plated RJ45 Jack (1m)

LHY FMC-to-Melco S100/2 Switch

FMC side: Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL
Melco side: Hauwei SFP-GE-LX-SM1310
Fiber-optic: 10Gtek OS2 Single-mode Dual-core (0.5m)

Melco-to-RS130 (Ethernet)

Melco side: Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL
RS130 side: Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL
Fiber-optic: Linkway LC-LC OS2 Single-mode Dual-core (1m)

RS130-to-RD160

SFP Modules: HiFi Rose SFP Connection kit
Fiber-optic: Samzhi LC-LC Single-mode Single-core (1m)

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By the way, I have tried DAC cables from Amphnol and 10Gtek between the RS130-to-RD160 and the LHY FMC-to-Melco Switch. Sounds are warmer (natural?) with more solid bass, but less airy than the fiber-optic cables. Eventually I keep the fiber-optic cables.

I am not saying the DAC cables are bad. Actually I was once cling to choose the DAC cable.

But my final decision is the fiber-optic cables because I prefer the airy sound more based on the music I mostly listen to.

Lastly, I have ordered the highly-praised Melco C1-D20 DAC cable, which should be coming in this week or next. Hope that it will give me the best of both cables.

1 Like
#23

You are 100 percent correct!! It is a MASSIVE difference. Enjoy my friend!

#24

What type of tube preamp are you running ? I’m thinking of adding vac 170 to my system

#25

Are you running SFP between RS130 and RD160

#26

Yes SFP between the 2 using the HiFiRose kit. Im running a Primaluna evo 400 into a pair of JC1+ monoblocks. I rolled in some NOS Cleartops and so far everything is grooving nicely.

#27

Thank you for the details of your system interconnections; it’s greatly appreciated. I’ll definitely consider everything you said.

FYI: For details on my current system, see This RD160 is just exceptional! - #19 by joyofmvid. This is the system I’m planning to upgrade for better music Sound Quality. As noted, my initial plan is to link the RD160’s RCA to my Anthem AVM 90. (I know it would be better to have a dedicated music system - for the Sound Quality I’m seeking, that would be too expensive.)

I’m hoping the RD160 RCA connection will achieve a noticable sound improvement. Your feedback/recommendations are welcome.

#28

You’re welcom.
Actually I was like 37Below questioned if the RS130 is better than the RS150B. The result was positive. After I substituted the Laiv Harmony DAC (a no doubt good DAC) with RD160, my system improves 30% at least I would say.
Despite some minor App issues with the RS130, I am very very happy with what I am having. I dare say the RS130+RD160 compo offers me more satisfaction and music enjoyment much more than my previous setups, which were double or triple in price-tag.
BTW, I am using XLR cable than RCA. My preference, too.

#29

I am using the RD160 with an Audio Research Reference 5 SE tube preamp.
For streaming I use a Mac using an Audioquest Carbon USB wire that is said to have technology for filtering high frequency noises.
It sounds really great (and much better (more details) the Wadia SACD player I used before)!

#30

Pursuit Perfect System has a more nuanced review.

My takeaway of the review: Lots of bling. Lots of parts inside. Sound quality? Too much emphasis on bass, way too much emphasis on highs, midrange subdued resulting in an unbalanced sound. Wide sound stage at the expense of clearly defined space between instruments/voices and blurred definition of them. Bottom line: not his favorite. Chord DAC is better. Shows the Rose to have too much brightness. Rose’s SFP connection helps.

#31

This is exactly what I can confirm! The reason most likely lies in the AKM chip itself…

When the RS150 first hit the market, it immediately found its way into my setup. But within a week, it went straight back to the dealer. The reason? The sound was simply too wide for my system—I ended up just sitting there, listening to the bass. It was boomy, and there was an excessive amount of highs. Tracks with rich bass became nearly unlistenable. In classical music, there was a catastrophic lack of decay, everything sounded as if it had been run through a damn equalizer. I couldn’t appreciate that kind of sound, so I sent it back. Later, I started hearing similar impressions from fellow audiophiles.

Then came the model with the ESS chip. I got my hands on it, and after a week of listening, the RS150B stayed in my setup, while the Lumin went back to the dealer—saving me nearly €8,000. The RS150B delivers a fantastic sound with tight, fast bass, a three-dimensional midrange, and textured highs. This sound tuning slid into my system like a hot knife through butter!

In my opinion, ROSE devices with an AKM chip produce a wide sound with soft, pronounced bass that reminds me of the warm, tube-like character of gear from the ’70s and ’80s. If your system includes speakers with 20 cm woofers or larger, the bass might be overwhelming! I believe that’s why users with speakers featuring 16–17 cm woofers (such as Sonus Faber Nova XX, Dali Epicon 6, etc.) go into a state of bliss, shaking with joy as they finally squeeze some real sound out of their setup. That’s precisely why I advised user @joyofmvid to steer clear of this chip in his system, which includes Totem V2 speakers with dual 20 cm woofers.

You mentioned that your system sounds so three-dimensional that you can’t even tell where the drivers are—that, in my opinion, is the hallmark of the latest ESS chip.

To sum it up simply: if you feel your setup lacks bass, go for the AKM chip. If you want a fast, analytical, and three-dimensional sound, get a ROSE with the ESS chip.

Of course, this is just my personal impression—it’s not the ultimate truth.

My ears are 46 years old, and they’re already tired. :laughing:

1 Like
#32

VIK,

I believe the Rose RS 151 DAC has the ESS chip. I should also say that Terry has come back to me and said he doesn’t agree with my summary. Listen yourself. YMMV

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#33

I don’t know how you got that from the review, he said the Rose is “more exciting, energetic, spacious, and 3-d” than the Chord. He said the TT was drier, and the Rose offered better clarity and detail . And he said he enjoyed the RD160 more than the TT. He repeatedly said it’s more vibrant and it’s an excellent DAC.

Did you actually watch the review you posted? It would help to actually watch the review first.

2 Likes
#34

Thanks for the advice regarding the AKM Chip bass sound might be boomy on my Totem FL / FR 20cm woofer speakers. This tells me if I am to consider the RD160 DAC, I need to get it ON TRIAL!

Again Thanks - your feedback is appreciated.

#35

I don’t think it’s true, the RD160 and RS130 combo made my bass much more tight and taut - of course this is using SFP. The review was actually very positive, he said RD160 outperformed Chord DAC, even with Mscaler, I have no idea how others are trying to spin it negatively . That’s ridiculous, I’ve heard Chord myself, and RD160 is definitely better, like the reviewer said.

I wouldn’t base any opinions on the 150, the RD160 is a totally different animal, several levels above 150 with SFP via RS130.

#36

Do you own a RD160, hard to see how you would write such nonsense if you actually owned the RS130-RD160 sfp combo or even just watched the review.

#37

Unicycle,

I see I’ve hit a nerve. I did say YMMV.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion.

Yes, I watched the review several times. I sympathise with Terry because if he or any other reviewer for that matter says what they really think, that’s the last review sample they’ll ever get. Criticisms have to be subtly veiled and sprinkled among praise. I reported what I heard, the good and the bad.

My RD 160 to go with my RS 130 is on order but not yet delivered. I sincerely hope that I’m wrong as I didn’t like what I heard in the review. VIK seems to have confirmed what I reported as well. Perhaps you can point me to some really positive reviews (other than from Steve Huff because he loves everything). I haven’t been able to find one and that also is suspect.

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#38

Vik doesnt own a rd160, he owns a rs150, nor does he own a rs130, or the SFP connection. He’s not qualified to speak about this set up to be frank.

I suggest you actually listen to what the reviewer says, he says he enjoys listening to the RD160 more than the Chord, and listens much longer than usual because of his enjoyment of the RD160. Again, I don’t see any evidence to support your wild claims in his review other than him characterized the “vibrancy” as possibly leaning bright in already bright systems - but even that he says is not a negative - and is energetic and not dry like the Chord. I agree with his review the Rd160 sound is very addictive and engaging, energetic, and yes, other dacs do sound dry in comparison.

#39

I think you have accurately stated your opinion.
I note that no other “positive” reviews of the RD 160 were listed so I take it that you don’t know of any.
I never said VIC owned an RS 160. VIC said that he owned an RS 150 with an AKM DAC chip. It may be the case that the AKM chipset is the cause of the “brightness” he and Terry experienced.
When I receive my RD 160 I’ll connect it to the RS 130 through SFP and report what I hear.
I definitely don’t want to “spin negatively”. It is my hope that when I receive it, the RD 160 will exceed my expectations but good or bad, I’ll report what I hear.

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#40

There is a review from a European magazine that is posted in this forum that you could use Google translate. It was a very positive review .

I don’t know what DAC you have , but I just thought the way you summarized had no correspondence with my personal experience and others. It appeared to be unduly negative without evidence and I would hope nobody would rely on that. I have an Esoteric DAC which some have said is significantly better than a Chord Dave, and I can tell you the RD160, although not better, plays in similar leagues with the SFP RS130 combination .

#41

I have had many Dacs but my most recent is the LAiV Harmony.
I’m glad you like the RD 160 and hope I will feel the same way when I receive mine.

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