HiFi Rose RA280 Integrated Amplifier – First Look
All Image Credit: HiFi Rose
The RA280 is the latest addition to the brands line of stereo integrated amplifiers, following on from the RA180. The overall design of the HiFi Rose RA280 Integrated Amplifier matches that of HiFi Rose’s full-width streaming products. The sturdy silver or black aluminum chassis ensuring good isolation for the sensitive internal electronics from externally generated interference. While the top vents provide for heat dissipation from within.
At the core of the RA280 is HiFi Rose’s Class AD Amplifier technology (Advanced D), which provides higher efficiency, higher output, and improved noise and distortion measurements than traditional Class AB designs. Early Class D designs provided less than stellar audiophile performance, however, HiFi Rose’s use of Gallium Nitride (GaN) FETs in their state-of-the-art design creates high speed switching with virtually no dead time, and is said to solve many of the earlier concerns, providing a response “like a pure analogue amplifier.”
The separate GaN FET amplifier modules, one per channel, can simultaneously deliver a full 250 watts per channel into either 4 or 8 ohms. Their output drives a HiFi Rose-designed two-stage analogue LC filter that is said to dramatically reduce the switching noise caused by the Class D amplifiers. Helping to support the amplifiers excellent stated frequency responses of 10Hz – 66kHz (-1 dB) and 10Hz – 85KHz (-3dB), a THD of 0.007% @ 125W and SNR of 109dB.
Such high powers require a substantial power supply. The RA280 employs Silicon Carbide FET technology in their PSU design that was first developed for the RA180 amplifier. The design is very high output and efficiency, generates little heat and handles power fluctuations well with its 2.5KW class power factor correction (PFC) circuit and high-capacity storage.
Amplifier controls include a supplied IR remote and front panel access to; input source selection, volume, bass and treble controls to adjust the frequency response at 100Hz and 10kHz, with ±15dB gain, a bypass switch plus a pair of rear lit and dimmable analog VU meters to display levels.
Rear panel connectivity includes; 1x XLR balanced and 3x RCA unbalanced stereo line level inputs, a MM phono input for vinyl enthusiasts, RCA subwoofer out and two pairs of speaker binding posts. Additional connectivity includes; trigger I/O and phono/ground terminals.
Specifications:
- Amplifier Out:
- 4Ω: 250W x 2ch (500W)
- 8Ω: 250W x 2ch (500W)
- Bandwidth/Frequency Response:
- 20Hz-20KHz: +0, 0dB
- 10Hz-66KHz: +0, -1dB
- 10Hz-85KHz: +0, -3dB
- 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: 3.3v ~12V
- Size (W x D x H): 430 x 355 x 103mm
- Weight: 9.5kg
- Body: Solid Aluminum / Rust-Proof Steel
- Power: SMPS (500W)
- Remote Control: IR Input 38kHz Infrared Ray (Within 10m)
MSRP:
- US: $TBA
- UK: £2,999.00
- EU: €3,299.00
For more information visit the HiFi Rose web site.
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