The RS520 is a 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. It was released in 2022. It is a 2-channel design using a Class AD output stage. A minimum impedance of 4 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. It has a built-in DAC (ESS Sabre Reference ES9038PRO), so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. The HiFi Rose RS520 has an MSRP of $3,695.
HiFi Rose RS520 Amplifier Internal View
There are 4 HiFi Rose amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.
HiFi Rose Integrated Amplifier Series
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 Hz-85 kHz) 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
How loud will 250 watts actually play in your room? →
Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →
Which speakers suit the HiFi Rose RS520?
250 W into 8 ohms, 250 W into 4, rated down to 4 ohms.
We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current
delivery.
Need more power?
HiFi Rose RS520 is rated at 250 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our Over 180 watts band. That is the top band we cover, so there is no step up from here - if it is not enough, the answer is more sensitive speakers or a smaller room, not more watts.
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-field | Are you nuts? |
| Small Room | Bad |
| Mid-size Room | Poor |
| Large Room | Good |
| Very Large Room | Good |
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 (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
- Speaker Outputs
- Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
- HDMI Output
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:
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
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
8.1 kg (17.9 lbs).
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: 8.1 kg (17.9 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1134.0cm2 / 175.8inch2
- Volume: ~14.4 liter / 3.8 gallon
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.
| General |
| Brand |
HiFi Rose |
| Full Model Name |
HiFi Rose RS520 |
| Release Date |
2022 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class AD |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| 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 Hz-85 kHz |
| 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 |
8.1 kg (17.9 lbs) |
| Available Colors |
Black,Silver |
| OTHER |
| Screen |
12.6-inch Capacitive Touch |
| Parts Warranty |
1 year |
| Labor Warranty |
1 year |