AFFORDABLE HIFI ROSE RA280 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER RELEASED

Distributor Henley Audio has announced the imminent UK availability of the HiFi Rose RA280 integrated amplifier.

The RA280 takes its lead from the Korean brand’s flagship HiFi Rose RA180 amplifier, which became an internet sensation when it was announced in 2022.

HIFI ROSE RA280 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

The overall design of the HiFi Rose RA280 Integrated Amplifier matches that of HiFi Rose’s full-width streaming products. However, its elegant industrial aesthetic can complement any modern listening space. The sturdy aluminium chassis gives a reassuring weight and solidity to the build, while also doing a good job of isolating surrounding interferences from the sensitive electronic circuitry inside. The top-mounted vents bring further character to the design, while also allowing for heat dissipation from within.

CLASS AD AMPLIFICATION

Making use of HiFi Rose’s innovative Class AD design, featuring GaN FET technology, this flexible product presents an elegant aesthetic, more minimalist than the original, and opinion-dividing, RA180.

HIFI ROSE RA280 GANFET TECH

The RA280 is based around HiFi Rose’s Class AD Amplifier technology. Class D amplification provides higher efficiency and higher output, as well as improved noise and distortion measurements, compared to more traditional Class AB designs. However, many Class D designs in the past have suffered in sound quality due to limitations in their circuitry. HiFi Rose say that their Class AD (“Advanced D”) amplifier resolves these problems with the use of innovative new materials. The RA280’s Class AD amplifier has Gallium Nitride FETs as opposed to more common Silicon FET technology.

LC FILTER

The RA280 has separate 250W (4Ω and 8Ω) amplifier modules per-channel, delivering 500W of total system power. The power stage also makes use of a HiFi Rose-designed two-stage analogue filter. The LC filter helps support the amplifier’s frequency response by offering -1dB attenuation in the frequency band up to 65kHz and -3dB attenuation in the 85kHz range. This technology claims to dramatically reduces carrier noise caused by the inherent switching of Class D amplifiers, providing clearer and cleaner sound quality throughout the frequency range.

CUSTOMISABLE EXPERIENCE

The RA280’s front panel offers access to Bass and Treble tone controls, allowing users to adjust the flat frequency response at 100Hz and 10kHz, respectively, with ±15dB gain for a fully tailored sound. Elsewhere the built-in MM phono stage has been purpose-designed to deliver distortion-free preamplification for a connected turntable.

INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

The RA280 features one balanced and three unbalanced inputs alongside the built-in phono stage. There is also support for a subwoofer output, trigger connections and a grounding post alongside the speaker output terminals. But the wide array of features, technologies and connectivity options are all able to perform optimally thanks to the new power supply design.

POWER SUPPLY

The power supply was first developed for the flagship RA180 amplifier. It employs Silicon Carbide FET technology, with its high voltage support and heat resistance, to provide a high output in an efficient manner with low heat generation. It also responds to power delivery fluctuations well with its 2.5kW class PFC circuit and high-capacity condenser.

HIFIROSE RA280 TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Amplifier Out 4Ω: 250W x 2ch (500W)

8Ω: 250W x 2ch (500W)

Input Sensitivity Balanced Input: 600mV

Unbalanced (Line 1,2,3) Input: 300mV

Phono (MM) Input: 5mV

Impedance Input Balanced Input: 47kΩ

Unbalanced (Line 1,2,3) Input: 47kΩ

Phono (MM) Input: 47kΩ

THD (Balanced & Unbalanced Input) 0.007% (@ 125W)

Damping Factor >250

Signal to Noise Ratio Measure (S/N) Balanced, Unbalanced: 109dB

Phono MM: 85dB

Output Impedance 30mΩ

Tone Control (Bass (@100Hz) / Treble (@10kHz)) ±15dB

Phono Turnover 500Hz (+13dB @100Hz)

Phono Roll-off 2.1kHz (-13.7dB @10kHz)

Trigger Trigger can be turned on: 3.3v ~12V

Size (W x D x H) 430 x 355 x 103mm

Weight 9.5kg

Body Solid Aluminium / Rust-Proof Steel

Power SMPS (500W)

Remote Control IR Input 38kHz Infrared Ray (Within 10m)

HIFI ROSE RA280 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

HiFi Rose RA280: £2,999 (SRP)

Distributed in the UK by Henley Audio.

HiFi PiG Says: The HiFi Rose RA180 just about broke the internet when it was first announced, with its opinion dividing looks and affordable quality, we look forward to hearing the even more accessibly priced HiFi Rose RA280 soon!