Rose RA280: new integrated amplifier

If the Rose RA180 with its many functions has always seemed too much for you, here is a decidedly more minimalist solution that does not, however, betray the family look

The Rose RA280 from an aesthetic point of view is very similar to its big brother RA180 but with a cabinet less packed with buttons and functions. The most important difference, however, lies in the fact that the Rose RA280 does not have a digital section As for the desing, the chassis made of aluminum, in addition to giving a solid appearance, will keep your music safe from outside interference due to its shielding. As for heat dissipation, you will find two heatsinks, clearly visible at the top of the cabinet.

Rose RA280 in pills

The Rose RA280 claims a power output of 250 W into 8 ohms and 4 ohms, powered by GaNFET output devices. The South Korean brand’s engineers use a type of amplification they call “Class AD.” As many of you already know, class-D amplifications offer excellent results in terms of efficiency that go hand in hand with very low rates of distortion and noise, virtually out of the audible band. According to Rose, class-D amplifiers in the past have suffered from still-acerbic sonic performance, which Rose says they have improved through the use of innovative materials such as new FETs (Gallium Nitride) that perform better than traditional silicon FETs. This particular type of amplification theoretically should combine the winning characteristics of class D with those of class AB but, for the time being, we cannot tell you more as we have had no objective feedback. The power section then, derives directly from that of its big brother and was made with silicon carbide FETs. The power supply of the Rose RA280 can support high voltages without having heat dissipation problems. In terms of connections, on the rear panel of the Rose RA280 we find three pairs of single-ended RCA inputs, a balanced XLR, a MM phono, and the ability to connect a subwoofer. Very distinctive aesthetics for this amplifier that certainly stands out with its look that combines vintage and modernity.

For more information on prices and availability, you can consult the manufacturer’s website and that of the Italian distributor