HIFIROSE RA280 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

High-performance hybrid amplification from HiFi Rose

HiFi Rose's RA280 integrated amp has features and looks that straddle the line between modern and classic. It resembles its bigger, more expensive sibling — the flagship RA180. The RA280 uses the same hybrid amplification technology, an innovative design that HiFi Rose calls "Class AD." Like most Class D amps, it uses a "switching" design. But its GaN (gallium nitride) FET topology sweetens the sound by speeding up the timing between switches — up to 10 times faster than typical silicon FET switching devices.

High-quality design and build

You can see this amp's top-notch design and build-quality inside and out. Its solid aluminum and steel chassis with integrated heat sinks contribute to its hefty 20+-pound weight. And it uses dual-mono 250-watt amplifiers with isolated circuitry and premium components for unassailable sound and near-imperceptible noise and distortion.

The RA280 has 250 watts per channel of dual-mono amplification with top-notch isolated circuitry.

Old-school touches include front-panel VU meters as well as tactile source selection and preamp controls. Bypassable bass and treble controls let you dial in the best sound, or let it run wide open. And the physical volume knob on the amp actually moves when you control it with the included remote or the free mobile control app for Apple® and Android™ devices — that just looks cool.

Flexible connections

The RA280 has three line-level stereo RCA inputs, plus one RCA phono input for a turntable with a moving magnet cartridges. It also has a balanced stereo XLR input for making a low-noise connection to a high-end source component. All connections are analog, but you can get amazing sound from digital sources that have a built-in DAC — like the HiFi Rose RS250A  network streamer.

Product highlights:

• Stereo integrated amp with balanced and phono inputs
• Class AD amplification uses super-efficient GaN (Gallium nitride) FET output switching for smooth, accurate sound
• 250 watts x 2 into 8 ohms
• 250 watts x 2 into 4 ohms
• Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz (or 10-85,000 Hz @ -3dB)
• Signal-to-noise ratios:
• 109dB (balanced)
• 109dB (unbalanced)
• 85dB (MM phono)

Front-panel features

• Large volume knob
• Source input selector switch
• Treble and bass controls
• Tone control bypass switch
• Illuminated analog level meters
• 3-level dimmer for front-panel illumination

Connections:

• Balanced analog stereo XLR input
• Analog stereo RCA phono input for moving magnet cartridges
• 3 line-level analog stereo RCA inputs
• Mono RCA output for connecting a powered subwoofer
• Binding posts for connecting a pair of speakers
• 3.5mm 12v trigger input and output

Other specs:

• Remote control included
• Detachable AC power cord (IEC)
• Rear-panel internal circuit breaker reset button
• 16-15/16"W x 4-1/16"H x 14"D
• Weight: 20.95 lbs
• Warranty: 1 year