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HiFi Rose RS520 Review
HiFi Rose RS520

Main Features

  • 250 watts RMS into 8-ohms
  • Built-in DAC
  • USB Input
  • Bluetooth v4.2
  • Weight: 17.86 lbs / 8.10 kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D):5 x 13-5/8 x 12-7/8 inch
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HiFi Rose RS520 Review
HiFi Rose RS520 HiFi Rose RS520
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The RS520 is an Streaming Integrated Amplifier by HiFi Rose that delivers 250 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 250 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms. Minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes the RS520 compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. Thanks to its built-in ESS Sabre Reference ES9038PRO DAC, you can play digital sources directly without the need for an external DAC unit. HiFi Rose RS520 has an MSRP of 3695$.

HiFi Rose RS520 Amplifier Internal View
HiFi Rose RS520 Amplifier Internal View

There are 3 HiFi Rose amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.

HiFi Rose Integrated Amplifier Series
Model Watts RMS (8-ohms) Minimum Impedance Built-in DAC Bluetooth
HiFi Rose RS520
250 watts4-ohmsYesYes
HiFi Rose RS201E
Compare
50 watts4-ohmsYesYes
HiFi Rose RA180
Compare
400 watts4-ohmsNoNo


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Performance Specs

One of the most important factors when deciding on an integrated amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements.The HiFi Rose RS520 is rated at 250 watts RMS into 8-ohms. HiFi Rose provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.007% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).

Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:

  • 250 watts into 8-ohms (10-85k) at 0.007%
  • 250 watts into 4-ohms
  • 4-ohms Min Impedance (allows compatibility with a wide range of loudspeakers)
  • 109dB Signal to Noise Ratio

When pairing the HiFi Rose RS520 with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels. Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.


What size of room is the HiFi Rose RS520 Amplifier good for?

An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the HiFi Rose RS520 amplifier. Here, taking into account its maximum power parameters, we analyzed its applicability to various size environments:

Listening Environment Suitability
Near-fieldAre you nuts?
Small RoomBad
Mid-size RoomPoor
Large RoomGood
Very Large RoomGood

Inputs and Outputs

Besides the performance specs of the HiFi Rose RS520, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers. HiFi Rose RS520 has total of 1 Analog inputs .

HiFi Rose RS520 Back View
HiFi Rose RS520 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

Inputs
  • Total Number of Analog Inputs: 1
  • 1 Optical Digital Input
  • 1 Coaxial Digital Input
  • USB Input:
    • USB-B (connects to computer for music playback)
    • 3 x USB-A(connecting the included Wi-Fi and Bluetooth dongles
    • External DAC
    • mass storage or HiFI Rose CD player)

Outputs
  • Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs

Bluetooth Connectivity

HiFi Rose RS520 features built-in Bluetooth 4.2 for wireless music streaming from your Bluetooth-enabled devices such as Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android smartphone/tablet, Windows PC, Mac computers/laptops.

Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:

  • Rotel Diamond RA-6000 - MSRP 4500$ - Compare w/ RS520
  • Rotel RA-1592 MKII - MSRP 3200$ - Compare w/ RS520
  • HiFi Rose RS520 - MSRP 3695$ - Compare w/ RS520
  • Cambridge Audio Evo 150 - MSRP 3249$ - Compare w/ RS520
  • Naim Uniti Atom - MSRP 3799$ - Compare w/ RS520

Phono Input

HiFi Rose RS520 doesn't have a phono input so in order to play your vinyl albums, HiFi Rose RS520 has to be paired with a Phono Preamp that is MM (Moving Magnet) or/and MC (Moving COil) depending on your cartridge type.

Subwoofer Output

HiFi Rose RS520 has Stereo RCA preamp outputs which can be used to connect to a powered subwoofer via an RCA cable ( as long as your sub supports this connection).
Check our Powered Subwoofers page to find a subwoofer that will work with HiFi Rose RS520 amp and your speakers.

DAC and Digital Music

The HiFi Rose RS520's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC. The DAC chip that is used in the RS520 is the ESS Sabre Reference ES9038PRO, and supports resolutions up to 32-bit, 768KHZ.
HiFi Rose RS520 Physical Controls
HiFi Rose RS520 Physical Controls

Rose Amp Connect Wireless Control App
Rose Amp Connect Wireless Control App

HiFi Rose RS520 External Dimensions and Weight

HiFi Rose RS520 has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 5inch x 13-5/8inch x 12-7/8inch (127.0mm x 346.0mm x 328.0mm ). The unit weighs 8.10kg / 17.8lbs.

Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base area of the HiFi Rose RS520 is approximately 1134.0cm2 / 175.8inch2.

  • Width: 346.0mm (13-5/8")
  • Height: 127.0mm (5")
  • Depth: 328.0mm (12-7/8")
  • Weight: 8.10 kg (17.86lbs)
  • Base Surface Area: ~1134.0cm2 / 175.8inch2
  • Volume: ~14.4 liter / 3.8 gallon
HiFi Rose RS520  - Top View
HiFi Rose RS520 - Top View

Available colors

HiFi Rose RS520 is available in Black and Silver color options.

Official Product Page

Official manufacturer's product page for the HiFi Rose RS520 Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for HiFi Rose RS520

Warranty

1 year of parts warranty and 1 year of labor warranty is generally provided for the HiFi Rose RS520 by the manufacturer.

HiFi Rose RS520 Detailed Specifications

General
Brand HiFi Rose
Full Model Name HiFi Rose RS520
Amplifier Type Integrated Amplifier
Performance
Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms 250 watts
Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms N/A
Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms 250 watts
Frequency Bandwidth 10-85k
THD 0.007%
Minimum Impedance 4
Signal to Noise Ratio 109 dB
Digital Music
Built-in DAC Yes
DAC Specs ESS Sabre Reference ES9038PRO
Bluetooth Yes
WiFi 802.11ac
Ecosystem
Apple AirPlay No
Apple AirPlay2 No
DTS Play-Fi No
Chromecast built-in No
Roon Ready
HEOS No
BluOS No

CONNECTIONS
Total Analog Inputs 1
Phono Input No
Optical Digital Inputs 1
Coaxial Digital Inputs 1
USB Input Yes
USB Type USB-B (connects to computer for music playback), 3 x USB-A(connecting the included Wi-Fi and Bluetooth dongles, External DAC, mass storage or HiFI Rose CD player)
Preamp Outputs Stereo RCA
Pre-out / Main-in Loop No
Headphone Output No
Removable Power Cord Yes
PHYSICAL SPECS
Height 127.0mm (5")
Width 346.0mm (13-5/8")
Depth 328.0mm (12-7/8")
Weight 8.10 kg (17.86lbs)
Available Colors Black,Silver
OTHER
Screen 12.6-inch Capacitive Touch
Parts Warranty 1 year
Labor Warranty 1 year
HiFi Rose RS520 Alternatives in Streaming Amplifiers
Model Watts RMS (8-ohms) Minimum Impedance Built-in DAC Phono Stage
Naim Uniti Atom
Compare
40 watts4-ohmsYesNo
HiFi Rose RS201E
Compare
50 watts4-ohmsYesNo
Cambridge Audio Evo 150
Compare
150 watts4-ohmsYesMM
Marantz Model 40n
Compare
70 watts4-ohmsYesMM
Rotel Diamond RA-6000
Compare
200 watts4-ohmsYesMM
HiFi Rose RA180
Compare
400 watts4-ohmsNoMM,MC
Yamaha A-S1200
Compare
90 watts4-ohmsNoMM,MC
Arcam SA30
Compare
130 watts4-ohmsYesMM,MC
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