Audiolab 9000N v's HiFi Rose RS250A Blind Test Shootout.

A head-to-head and blind test shootout. Find out who wins the battle of the £2500 streamers. The HiFi Rose RS250A (£2349) v's The Audiolab 9000N (£2499).
In the process, Mark invents a new brand name (Audio Lav!)
Audiolab full details are here:
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HiFi Rose here:
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[@tanjuvenhar7446]

Another great video..well presented. With the superior DAC chip Audiolab all the way. Roll on Next week.

[@EliteAudioUK]

Good morning and thank you for the feedback, its really appreciated. Yes, next week ;) Cheers, Mark

[@greenygreen5308]

Yes understand, an ‘ideal’ blind test is near impossible. Your efforts are certainly appreciated. The point is just the interpretation of the results. 5/2 just doesn’t represent a reliable strong preference. Keep up the good work.

[@greenygreen5308]

Be careful with your interpretation of these results. There is a 45% chance that by pure chance you will get a 5/2 6/1 or 7/0 results one way or another. So a 5/2 one off result is statistically insignificant. You need to either do multiple tests, or have more than 7 reviewers. You also need to give people a ‘no difference/preference’ option otherwise reviewers are just picking one where no real preference exists. I agree totally on you needing to listen longer than a couple of minutes each to make a reliable decision.

[@EliteAudioUK]

Good morning and thank you for the feedback. In an ideal world we would have at least 100 people voting blind. That said, bear in mind these are the 'preferences' in terms of sound based on a blind test. The Elite Audio team based their preferences on the sound they heard. In fact I would go as far to say that after extended listening 'post' blind testing, the 9000N is in my opinion a worthy winner in the comparison. Cheers, Mark :)

[@irisfinchmusic]

I have a DAC that I love so I'll never buy one of these streamer/DAC combinations. Someday, if you guys ever have the time, I'd like to see comparisons of streaming transports. thx...

[@EliteAudioUK]

Good afternoon and thank you for your message. We are testing the Volumio Rivo (Transport only) in the coming weeks. What are you using currently (Transport/DAC)? Cheers, Mark

[@irisfinchmusic]

@@EliteAudioUK Mark -- Great, yes I'm interested in the Rivo - (with an upgraded power supply). Currently, I use two streamers: 1) MagnaMono Ultra mk2 2) iFi Zen Stream with S Booster BOTW power supply. --- DAC is the Holo Audio Spring KTE. thx...

[@kemosabe551]

Terrific review, thanks so much! I am waiting here in the US for the 9000N to become available to pair it with the 9000CDT (which I absolutely love). Do you suppose the sound quality could be due to the new DAC design? Did you guys try to control for the DAC, and use digital outputs into a common DAC? (I am wondering if the internal 9000N DAC can replace the Chord Qutest)

[@EliteAudioUK]

Good morning and thank you for the feedback, its really appreciated. Its definitely a combination of ll elements in the 9000N. Not done that comparison, but I suspect you will be able to replace the Qutest. :)

[@alexpreusianer5812]

keinen hörbaren Unterschied, den ich auch wählen möchte. Die gesamte Wiedergabekette - Geräte - ist ebenfalls ein Parameter. Vertrauen Sie nur Ihren eigenen Ohren mit Ihrer eigenen Stereoanlage zu Hause. Dennoch sind die Informationen wertvoll, um eine Auswahl treffen zu können.

[@chrisrizzo627]

Great video. I have the anthem 1140 and Paradigm founder 120, 90c and surround sound in ceiling paradigm elite v2’s. Which streamer do you recommend for my set up. Do you have a favorite? I also heard the hifi rose 130 was good as well.

[@Lovelacewatkins139]

I currently have the attessa streaming amp and cdt , i have been looking into the 9000 series amp cdt and streamer , , in your opinion are these components a significant upgrade , i feel the attessa is flat sounding with my neat ministra speakers ,

[@baronofgreymatter14]

Can you upscale on the 9000n like you can on the HiFI Rose?

[@SirMountainpass]

I still prefer the Atoll ST300 Signature 😊

[@baronofgreymatter14]

How does the 9000N sound just as a streamer compared to the RS250A ...purely as a streamer..bypassing the DAC

[@AudioThings]

Doesn't matter, as a dedicated streamer get the Lumin U2 mini in this price range.

[@18yearsoldnot]

@@AudioThingsbut the u2 mini uses a switching power supply and the 9000n uses a linear one built in.

[@AudioThings]

@@18yearsoldnot That doesn't say much, there are many SMPS that are good. Test them both if you can, then decide.

[@18yearsoldnot]

@@AudioThings I have. Switching sounds rubbish

[@AudioThings]

@@18yearsoldnot You tried both U2mini and 9000N?

[@ron101346]

Comparing the Audiolob 9000n to the Eversolo A8 might be more interesting, since there is a bigger difference in price with more advanced technology and this will allow discussion of "bang for the buck.."

[@EliteAudioUK]

Hi Ron, many thanks for your message. In our 2023 awards, we awarded the A8 the best streamer up to £3000. It really is a stand out product. The 9000n is great too, but in the price range, currently there is nothing to touch the A8. Thank you again for the comment, its appreciated. Cheers, Mark :)

[@mrk8212]

Timely for me.. I am about to upgrade my streamer and was/am infatuated with the 250A. I wish I could do this blind test myself but I am a long way away.

[@EliteAudioUK]

Good afternoon :) Apologies for the late reply - just catching up after the festive break! Drop me a direct email to: [e-mail] and I'll help the best I can. Cheers, Mark :)

[@nigelhorwood3583]

Hi. Have you compared them to the Naim ND5 XS2 Which is similarly priced? Thanks

[@EliteAudioUK]

Hi Nigel, thank you for your comment. I have not compared it, however what I would say is look at our more recent video on the Eversolo DMP-A8, its currently best in class. Cheers, Mark :)

[@ramin3080]

I enjoyed watching this video and thank you for that. In order for me, who have not heard the sound of either of these two, to be clear, please tell me which devices the HIFI Rose sound is close to or which devices it is better than, only the sound . I have a CA CXA81+ CXN V2 and do you think the 9000N is a good and reasonable upgrade?

[@EliteAudioUK]

Good morning and thank you very much indeed for your comments and feedback. I think in terms of better, that is probably subjective as what we like may be different for you, and ultimately its what you like that matters. What I can say is the sonic characteristics of each. The Rose definitely has a more dynamic forward sound and the 9000N more refined. Both have their merits. That said, from a personal perspective, I preferred the 9000N as instruments held greater realism (That was a comment from many in our team). Long term the 9000N will most likely win through. In terms of your Cambridge Audio CXN V2, whilst I have not dome a direct comparison, if anything, this blind testing has proven that you generally get what you pay for and in that context, I have no reason to doubt it would be a significant upgrade for you. Cheers, Mark :)

[@ramin3080]

@@EliteAudioUK Thank you very much for the practical and sincere answer.

[@falvegas511]

I'm Sorry, The Rose RS250 "alone" costs exactly as much as My; Bravia Smart 4K tv , Marantz A/V 9 Channel A/V, and Sony Blue Ray & Streamer Unit COMBINED.

[@AudioThings]

Thanks for the video. Too bad you did not compare it with a Lumin D3. This is it's "real" competitor.

[@alexpreusianer5812]

Audiolab 9000N > Eversolo Gold ? How big is the difference? Great channel :-)

[@EliteAudioUK]

Good morning and thank you for your feedback and comments. The outcome of that comparison will be published next week! ;) Cheers, Mark :)

[@revamp777]

Taylor swift? Really.

[@balooo2863]

I don’t care for her either but her music is very well engineered.