Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Powerful and rich sound, driving all speakers with ease
- Great separation and detailed, airy stereo imaging
- Tone controls don't degrade the sound
Product Considerations
- Remote doesn't allow input switching
- No digital section
- Not all speakers are a good match, specifically warm-leaning speakers
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs. RA180: More simple and straightforward
- Vs. Audiolab 9000a: The better amplifier overall, with clearer sound and more energy/focus/information
- Vs. Cambridge Audio EVO 150: More power, though the EVO 150 has a built-in streamer and digital section
- Vs. Yamaha AS3200: Sounds like it has more power and get up and go
Takeaway: The RA280 is a well-built integrated amplifier that offers a powerful and refined sound, making it a great value. It is best suited for those who already have a DAC or prefer analog sources.
All
RA280
reviews
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Hifi ROSE products are distinguished by their unusually large, high-resolution touchscreen displays, offering a visually engaging and intuitive user experience.
- They blend high-end audio performance with 4K video playback capabilities, accessible through the display and external HDMI output, catering to both audiophiles and videophiles.
- The brand often incorporates innovative, in-house-developed technologies such as "Class AD" amplification using GaN FETs, and advanced power supply designs.
- Hifi ROSE offers users a degree of speaker configuration and equalization options not commonly found, even among other high-end audio brands.
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Our take on the brand
Look inside the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
Industry leading intuitive touch panel interface and 4K video support, which allows you consume content in a new and immersive way without sacrificing audio quality.
What's your approach to customer support?
We have a dedicated service and tech support team. Our sales reps are also trained on supporting the line.
We always encourage the dealer to be involved in the support process since many of the issues can be resolved at the dealer level. Having the dealer involved also provides an opportunity for them to learn how to resolve more common issues. We are also happy and available to assist end users who reach out to us directly.
The best course of action is to reach out to your dealer and alert them of an issue. If your dealer is unable to resolve the issue, they can reach out to their rep or our support team for assistance. If they do not have a dealer, our support team is available via email at [email protected]
Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm CST.
Our goal is to respond to support issues within 1 business day. If a product is deemed to be defective within the first 30 days of receiving the unit, we will usually offer to replace it.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
- Led Zeppelin-Black Dog Live - New York 1973 -4K (Youtube)
- (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay feat. Jack Johnson | Otis Redding 50th Anniversary (Youtube)
- Forever - Mildlife
What other products pair best with yours?
McIntosh, Luxman, Pass Labs
Used
HiFi ROSE
What if you spend more?
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Product Strengths
- Improved battery management offering faster charging rates and better efficiency than its predecessor
- Features a new USB-C data input for greater flexibility alongside other inputs
- Offers the world's first lossless DSP for tone adjustments without degrading sound quality, providing customization options
- Excellent resolution and dynamics with a large soundstage and extreme detail
Product Considerations
- The Mojo 2 can get warm when in a pocket for a period of time
- Complicated menu navigation with color-coded buttons that may require the manual
- Still uses Micro-USB for charging, which some find outdated
Takeaway: The Chord Mojo 2 is an exceptional DAC/headphone amplifier for those seeking high-resolution audio and customized sound in a portable format that is easy to move. Its sonic accuracy, detailed soundstage, and improved features provide a versatile and enjoyable listening experience, making it a worthwhile consideration for audio enthusiasts.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Product Strengths
- Versatile connectivity with both wireless (Bluetooth 5.1 with various codecs) and wired options (USB, S/PDIF, analog inputs) makes it suitable for various setups—from desktop to portable usage
- Eloquent, informative, and entertaining sound quality, able to produce clear, non-artificial sound across different headphones
- Features such as XBass II and XSpace provide additional sound shaping options for the user to customize the sound to their liking
- The aluminum build provides a robust and premium feel, with a design that's described as sleek and comfortable to handle
Product Considerations
- The user interface is not very intuitive
- Decent headphones are needed to reveal its quality
- The OLED screen can be difficult to read
- Battery life is around six to eight hours
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the hip-dac2, the Gryphon offers better sound quality, more features, and flexibility
- Compared to the iFi GO bar, the Gryphon is bigger and has a built-in battery, and the GO bar is much smaller and draws power from the source device
- Compared to the iDSD Diablo, the Diablo has more power for very demanding headphones, Gryphon has more functions
- Compared to the Zen DAC, the xDSD Gryphon has a more sophisticated and detailed sound
Takeaway: The iFi xDSD Gryphon is a portable and versatile device delivering high-quality sound with extensive features that cater to audiophiles. Its ability to improve sound quality from various sources and its robust build make it a worthwhile investment for music lovers on the go.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The Bluesound POWERNODE is the HiFi amp reinvented for the streaming age, combining audiophile-grade componentry and multi-room music capabilities to create an intuitive “just add speakers” hi-res sound system for modern music lovers. The compact minimalist exterior disguises 2 x 80 watts of award-winning HiFi amplification, a premium hi-res DAC design, and access to all the music ever recorded with a tap in our BluOS Controller app for smart devices and laptops.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Punchy and musical performer
- BluOS is a treat to operate
- Convenient design as a source and amplifier in one, only needing speakers to complete the system
- Engagingly musical performer—dynamically fluid and punchy, with plenty of energy
- More neutral sounding now, making gains in clarity and insight across the frequency range
- Connectivity options are through 3.5mm headphone-type connectors, shared with mini-TosLink connections
Product Considerations
- Tough competition from other streaming amplifiers
- No way to send data out to an external DAC
- The Powernode was occasionally hard on transients and dynamic bursts
- There is no included remote
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Marantz has a wider-scale, roomier soundstage and greater subtlety
Takeaway: The Bluesound Powernode is a superb streaming amplifier that is better than ever, offering excellent sonic talent and a well-rounded feature set. It provides a convenient and high-quality music experience for anyone looking to simplify their home audio setup.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Add a little extra power with the POWERNODE EDGE, the perfect entry point into “just add speakers” HiFi for the streaming age, combining streaming sources, control, and amplification all in one place. Audiophile-grade componentry capable of up to 24 bits/192 kHz hi-res audio, and wireless multi-room capabilities with smartphone controls combine to make the POWERNODE EDGE a great ‘building block’ amplifier to start, extend or complete a hi-res streaming audio system of any size.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Compact design makes it easy to fit in small spaces, like desktops or shelves
- Extensive streaming capabilities via the BluOS app are included, with support for popular services like Tidal, Spotify, and Amazon Music
- Produces a clean, clear, and capable sound with good detail
- Easy to set up and use, making it an accessible entry point for those new to hifi audio streaming
- A variety of connectivity options are offered, including HDMI eARC, optical/analog input, USB, and Ethernet
Product Considerations
- A headphone port is lacking
- Sound lacks outright nuance, dynamics, and punch compared to some rivals
- The BluOS app is required for full control, which might be a drawback for some
- The unit's maximum file resolution support is 24-bit/192kHz PCM, lower than some competitors
- Performance may be limited by the speakers connected to it
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bluesound Powernode (2021) — The Edge has halved the power output and lacks a headphone port compared to the Powernode (2021)
- Vs Technics SA-C600 — The Powernode Edge is not as musically expressive or deft with dynamics as the Technics SA-C600
- Vs Triangle AIO Twin — The Triangle AIO Twin is more entertaining, and is a complete system—speakers included
- Vs WiiM Amp — The WiiM Amp offers many features of BluOS and Chromecast
Takeaway: The Powernode Edge is a compact and versatile streaming amplifier that provides a great entry point into high-quality audio streaming for many. Its ease of use and comprehensive feature set make it a solid choice for modern music systems.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Detailed and expansive presentation, offering a sonic upgrade to phones, especially when portability is a priority
- Versatile, with both wired and wireless connectivity options, including balanced and unbalanced headphone outputs
- Impressively small size and lightweight design, making it pocket-friendly and convenient for on-the-go use
- Sound quality is generally linear, with fast and accurate bass, flat and clean mids, and a detailed treble that is not harsh
- XBass and XSpace features offer customized listening experiences
- Build quality and aesthetics are generally well-received, with its design standing out from other devices
- ChronoDial volume knob is particularly praised for its tactile feel and functionality
Product Considerations
- Black rubberized plastic casing can feel a bit flimsy to some users
- Some reviewers noted hiss with sensitive IEMs, especially on the balanced output
- Battery life estimation can be unreliable
- No dedicated app for the device, limiting EQ and DSP options
- Lacks a clip, making it less convenient for truly portable use
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Audiolab M-DAC Nano, the Go Blu offers a wider soundstage, better separation, and dynamic sensitivity, though the M-DAC Nano is fractionally punchier in the bass
- Compared to the AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt, the Go Blu is a wireless proposition, unlike the DragonFly Cobalt, which is a USB plug-in DAC
- Compared to the FiiO Q3, the iFi GO blu highs are a bit too brilliant, but everything else sounded quite impressive
- Compared to the NuPrime Hi-mDAC, the iFi GO Blu mids sound a lot like it, even if voices are slightly less natural
- Compared to the Hidizs S9 Pro and Aune BU2, the GO Blu provides a relaxed sound and has better build and functionality compared to the Hidizs S9 Pro, but is better when using bluetooth compared to Aune BU2, however when competing on wired terms, the Aune is clearer
Takeaway: The iFi GO blu is a tiny but mighty device that delivers impressive sound and versatility—improving the wireless music experience. It is easy to use and has some cool features, making it a good pick for anyone looking for a portable upgrade for their headphones.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Good sound quality, especially in the midrange, leads to vivid and well-formed vocals
- Versatile, it works well with both efficient headphones/IEMs and moderately powered speakers
- Compact design and good build quality, with the chassis acting as a heatsink
- Ability to roll op amps allows users to customize the sound signature
- Ample power for most headphones and nearfield speaker setups
- Only one RCA input, which may be limiting for some users
Product Considerations
- Speaker amplifier power (35-45W) might be insufficient for power-hungry speakers or larger rooms
- The base model op amps are sonically inferior to upgrade options
- Mild turn-off thump present
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Funk has a narrower but deeper soundstage with better imaging and layering than the Arylic A08 Pro
- The Funk has superior imaging, but less potential power output depending on the Arylic's power supply than the Arylic A07/A08 Pro
- The Funk is preferred for desktop speaker setups with Vivid opamps when compared to Schiit Aegir
Takeaway: The Burson Funk is a solid choice for people wanting good sound from both their headphones and speakers in a single, convenient unit. The ability to change the sound by swapping op amps is a welcome feature for those who like to tinker and upgrade.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Great value for the money and an attractive price point
- Balanced input and single-ended RCA input
- Op amps are swappable
- Compact form factor
- Versatile with stereo and mono mode
Product Considerations
- The volume control was found to be touchy by some reviewers
- The included power brick is quite large, almost as big as the unit itself
- The binding posts are small
- The RCA input sounds inferior to the XLR input
- The amplifier does not high pass the mains when a subwoofer is plugged in
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Fosi Audio V3: ZA3 is considered a more mature version with stylistic elements and new features like balanced inputs and mono mode, with a naturalness in the tonal quality
- Vs SMSL AO200 MKII: AO200 MKII delivers better clarity, definition, and resolution of the sound
Takeaway: The ZA3 is a versatile and compact amplifier that offers great value, especially for those starting their audio journey. Its ability to be used in both stereo and mono configurations and the option to upgrade components make it a flexible choice for various setups.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent build quality, featuring a CNC milled aluminum chassis and durable construction
- Achromatic Audio Amplifier (AAA) technology by THX, aiming for transparent sound reproduction without coloration
- Relay volume control provides precise channel matching
- Plenty of power to drive a wide range of headphones, from sensitive IEMs to demanding planars
- Balanced XLR inputs and outputs
Product Considerations
- No pre-amp output
- The notched volume control might not be to everyone's liking
- Gets quite warm during use, especially with the SU-9 DAC stacked on top
- Some reviewers noticed a clicking noise when adjusting the volume
- The three-feet design may not be as stable as a four-feet design
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs. SMSL SP200: Better unit at repelling noise, with a higher signal-to-noise ratio and lower total harmonic distortion—completely solved the SP200's issue with not having a pitch-black background
- Vs. Benchmark HPA4: Very close to the HPA4 in performance, with some minor differences observed only with high-end headphones
Takeaway: The SMSL SH-9 is a well-built and powerful headphone amplifier with a clean, transparent sound. It is a good choice for audiophiles looking for an accurate and detailed listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Budget-friendly headphone amplifier focused on quality
- Robust all-aluminum exterior, with rigid toggle switches, and smooth volume control, giving it the same fit and finish as SMSL's higher-end HO200
- Delivers a clean, neutral, and transparent sound, faithfully reproducing the source audio without adding coloration
- Extremely low noise floor
- Versatile due to its three gain levels (low, mid, high) and its ability to drive both sensitive IEMs and harder-to-drive headphones
Product Considerations
- Lacks balanced and unbalanced outputs for connecting to powered speakers, functioning solely as a headphone amplifier
- Does not have preamp capability
- Reviewers have noted average microdetails
- While the design looks smart and subdued, the tempered glass panel easily grabs fingerprints, requiring frequent cleaning
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs SMSL HO200: HO100 lacks RCA/XLR outputs and has lower wattage, but is more compact and is preferred if the extra power and outputs are not needed
- Vs FiiO K5 PRO: It has better driving power, a lower noise floor with IEMs, and lower distortion at maximum volume
- Vs JDS Labs Atom+: It has higher maximum power, handles maximum volume better with lower distortion, and offers better overall detail in the micro detail, and a more relaxing signature
Takeaway: The SMSL HO100 is a compact yet powerful headphone amplifier that delivers clean, neutral sound suitable for various headphones. It is well-built and offers excellent value for audiophiles seeking a high-quality listening experience.
Video review
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