You've never seen a DAC like this one! Rose Technics RT-5000 review

[@JTB--]

Nice Review. I've tried enough All in One DAC/Amp combo's now to realize that one section is usually vastly better than the other in the unit. Going with a DAC/Amp STACK has always had much better results for me. I bought the Nitsch Pietus Maximus and ended up returning the DAC chips and just keeping the amp. The Schiit MultiBit and ESS Chips couldn't come close to doing what the Geshelli J2S could with the PM

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, that's generally true in my experience too. I think all-in-one devices are really only best when needing to save space. That said, the RT5000 is actually pretty impressive in both DAC and amp performance.

[@xray111xxx]

I don't know about you, $600.00 is close to the Geshelli Labs Headphone Amplifier I am looking at. You have to be careful on the balanced kool aid. You explained it well. Personally I always remember unless really expressed, unless it is full Differential Balanced not using any summers and phase splitters like many do, it isn't balanced to me. End of the world? Nope. Just understand what your money is buying. Even if summers and phase splitters are involved, you still get at least common noise cancelation. I don't need another DAC. Now if this was a Headphone amplifier only, I would be interested.

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, if looking for a headphone amp only, the Geshelli is way better. This is a nice, compact, single box solution for those who need that As for balanced, I completely agree with you and have also recently learned some interesting details about balanced designs actually removing even order harmonics (the enjoyable ones) - possibly even those that are within the original recording, but I need to confirm that...

[@Superman54]

but if you're looking for a dac/amp with an out to a stereo amp.....then bruhhhh this is sick. especially since some reviewers have said that this competes with the J2S fully upgraded as a dac only. im so curious if thats true....

[@PassionforSound]

That's completely not true, I'm afraid. It's very good, for sure, but... actually I just realised that you might be referring to the AK4493 J2S. It probably does match the AK4493 J2S, but not the AK4499 version.

[@Aarghon]

Great in depth review as always! It's indeed a gorgeous unit! But the amount of small technical (haha..) problems with the design stack up so much that I wonder how this will fare against the serious competition it will face in the all-in-one market... For a bit, I stuck on the Technics part of the name which made me think "ohhh, no way such an accomplished and experimented company as Technics puts out a product with so many issues".... Then realizing it's not the Japanese stalwart company haha!

[@PassionforSound]

That (Technics) caught me too. You're right. This is Rose Technics, a completely different brand that are clearly having some challenges with their early designs and quality control.

[@dextercool]

Long-time fan of your very clear and comprehensive reviews here - how would you compare it to the SMSL M500 mkiii?

[@PassionforSound]

That's a great question and hard to answer because I've just recently parted with the M500, but I think the RT5000 sounds a little better while the M500 has the better interface and more robust controls/reliability (i.e. no weird issues with volume control, etc.) If newer versions of the RT5000 have the little niggles fixed, it would be the winner due to sound quality, I'd say.

[@dextercool]

@@PassionforSound thanks 🙏🏻 I'm making the decision around now and it came down to these.

[@PassionforSound]

My pleasure. I hope you love whichever you choose. 🙂

[@mebaugh1]

I am replacing the SMSL SU-9 Pro with RT5000. And RT5000 into Topping A90D amp I already have. Will let you know how it sounds. Balanced xlr output. While I liked SU9 Pro, there is a certain flatness to these typical chip based dac’s, which from multiple reviewers I trust like IWIII indicate, this is not the case. Almost went for Geshelli J2 with Sparkos and upgraded AKM chip, but doubling in price and case is cheap and ugly. This will be my endgame DAC.

[@PassionforSound]

I hope you love it! I haven't tried the SU-9 Pro, but I suspect the RT-5000 will be more to your liking.

[@TC-bz8sm]

Very helpful review ，how does it compare to Mojo 2 re soundstage and timbre?

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't compared them directly, but the Mojo 2 is a better device than anything I've tried to an equivalent price so, while the RT-5000 is a nice device with a better setup for a dedicated desktop system, I'd still choose the Mojo 2 on general sound quality based on the various other comparisons I've made.

[@el_arte]

In fact, “balanced” never matters unless you operate in an EMI/RFI rich environment. “balanced” can also deliver more power due to the doubling of the circuitry, but “single-ended” can achieve the same in a dual mono configuration.

[@PassionforSound]

I agree!

[@carminedesanto6746]

GM ❄️☕️from Toronto …Rose ..for a second I thought it was their streamer you’re reviewing 😆 Btw, I’ve moved away from “regular” DACS and now just run the new Denafrips Ares 12-1 This looks like a decent all in one unit . Have a great weekend 👍

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, the naming confused me at first too! Glad you're enjoying the Ares 12!

[@throyl2706]

Thank you for the wonderful review as usual I want to know how the Rose Technics RT-5000 compares to the Chord Mojo 2

[@PassionforSound]

To my ears, the Mojo 2 is distinctly better. I've heard that some other reviewers prefer the RT-5000, but it lacks the staging depth and nuance of the Mojo 2 in my opinion and that will largely come down to the limitations of the DAC in the RT-5000. They've done a great job of extracting excellent sound from it, but I'd still use the Mojo 2 over it (and actually do 🙂)

[@JYMBO]

ooof i want this exact thing but without the flaws lol i hope the next iteration addresses all the gripes from everyones reviews but i love the walnut wood & green leather combo

[@PassionforSound]

It's a pretty cool little box, but waiting for a later build of this or even a version 2 would be a good idea, I think.

[@JYMBO]

@@PassionforSound yeah think i'm going with the Topping A70 pro & D70 sabre stack upgrading from the original JDS Labs EL dac & amp stack

[@PassionforSound]

Sounds like a nice choice. Enjoy!

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

Lachlan, how is it possible that the xlr and rca have identical performance? Is that not unusual? Is the unit not truly balanced, is that why, are the inputs just for convenience? Also it looks beautiful eh? Great video mate, and the closeup shots of the device look fantastic.

[@PassionforSound]

Even it comes to balanced vs single ended output, the only benefits you'll get are more voltage (louder) from the XLR and also XLR can cancel out any noise picked up by the interconnects (depending on whether the DAC and amp are both truly balanced). However, what this also means is that in most home applications where the cables are short (i.e. not>10m cable runs in studios), balanced has no real benefit.

[@ekjellgren]

Nice to get a "Buletooth" input :)

[@PassionforSound]

Oops. Did I have a typo? 😂

[@techmed-rainer]

Danke!

[@PassionforSound]

Bitte!

[@阿災小頭]

Thank you for the review. How does Mojo2 compare to FIIO K9? I am choosing between K9,RT-5000 and MOJO2.

[@PassionforSound]

I'd take the Mojo 2 for sure. Better resolution, much better staging and it's portable

[@阿災小頭]

Thank you for your reply and suggestions.

[@scientificaudiophile]

Great review.❤

[@PassionforSound]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@amadismusic_SWORDFISH]

Hi! is it the S9C pro I see behind you ? :) I would be curious of how it compares with the RT5000

[@PassionforSound]

I don't know the S9C so I'm not sure what you've seen. Maybe the S17 Pro from Aune?

[@amadismusic_SWORDFISH]

@@PassionforSoundIndeed! Yes okay the S9C is a dac/amp/preamp from the same company (aune) that cost around the same as the RT5000 and has the same aluminium box so I thought.. Can't wait for the s17 then! :)

[@k-tech7]

Great review. I have a query, Is there a windows driver available? I can't see that anywhere on their website. Have you tried it with windows PC?

[@PassionforSound]

I ran it with a Windows PC without issue, but I didn't try super high sample rates. Often, all devices will work for regular sample rates without drivers so I'm not sure about the need for anything specific.

[@k-tech7]

@@PassionforSound Thank you

[@Yiannis2112]

Don't know how good its sound and build is, but it gets 11 out of 10 for looks

[@PassionforSound]

Yep. Great looking design!

[@Yiannis2112]

@@PassionforSound Yes, that wood front and leather on top, is sick! Also very different from what we are used to.

[@CovertOperative]

Shallow soundstage? A rudimentary pre-misconception of Delta - Sigma D/A reproduction. Both Wave Theory and (Is It Worth It Reviews) were adamant that the RT-5000 supersedes the performance of the Chord mojo2 in most aspects of frequency response but especially in technicalities. I have not tested the RT-5000 so unable to challenge. Bur the Chord mojo2 has been my daily driver for 2 years and thus agree with their synopsis on its limitations in dynamics and soundstagw lateral radiation and back to front depth.

[@PassionforSound]

Nothing rudimentary or wrong about it. The processing required to accurately reproduce soundstage cues. The RT5000 is excellent, but I can't agree with either of those two (who I respect) on the Mojo 2 comparison. There's a way that most Delta Sigma DACs present sound that can seem more dynamic, etc. than Chord DACs (and some R2R and DSD DACs), but it's normally due to all sounds being more forward in the soundstage and therefore less accurate to a true, live listening experience.

[@Temperature980]

Why is Hifiman seemingly the only one that gets having a simple device? Many of us will never use these Bluetooth chips for our hi end headphones. The ef499 and ef500 is simple. Digital in or usb in with an optional ethernet steaming via ethernet. Get a wireless to ethernet dongle if you do not have a ethernet port available. I actually use this stuff. All these over priced dacs and headphone amps are silly. 😂😊

[@PassionforSound]

This actually is a pretty simple device and every well executed from a sonic perspective. The HiFiMan gear has its own issues like crappy volume knobs and mediocre amp stages. Not knocking HiFiMan gear because it's great, but the point is that no piece of gear is perfect.

[@oliverosrecki7421]

Can you tell me, which Hi Fi better and quality type, FOSI or RT5000?

[@oliverosrecki7421]

Bye. May I have an answer to a question? Is it true, as it is said, that FOSI devices are the best among mini amplifiers? Other. Is it true that FOSI devices are on par with amplifiers and preamplifiers worth a few thousand dollars?

[@PassionforSound]

I've got a couple of Fosi amps on the way so I'll be able to answer that soon, but I can't just yet...

[@seanb3303]

How does it compare to mojo 2?

[@PassionforSound]

The Mojo 2 is a significantly better device IMO

[@corndog9482]

@@PassionforSound Wow! Significantly? Would you be able to describe in what ways and how it's better in your ever-so eloquent fashion? I would love to get your take on it. Thank you!

[@PassionforSound]

Did I not discuss it in the video? I thought I did. Going from memory now, the Mojo 2 produces a greater sense of space in the soundstage, including more separation of individual sounds as well as more depth in the soundstage. I also find that the Mojo 2 extracts a little more texture and nuance so you can hear some more of the subtle tonal/timbral qualities of the instruments.

[@corndog9482]

@@PassionforSound You might have and I just missed it somehow. It's amazing how such a compact and portable unit that is priced similarly can achieve such feat! Thanks for taking the time to elaborate!

[@mleanage]

these are just repeat chi-fi products. not worth reviewing dude. can you please get the new mjolnir 3 please. cheers :)

[@PassionforSound]

MJ3 has arrived and will be reviewed very soon. I generally agree about many of the ChiFi products and avoid them, but this one is a little different by using the MUSES01 op-amps and it's aesthetic design. It's trying to break away from the rest and I appreciate that.

[@jimfarrell4635]

It looks to me to have been cobbled together from bits from a parts bin, and that includes the name. Gold knobs are never ok, unless you are Donald Trump.

[@PassionforSound]

LOL. I think that's a little harsh, but I can understand the sentiment about the gold knobs.

[@ValterSuriZis]

Hi,and the question if I can connect the SMSL su9 ultra to theTopping L70 which would be a headphone amp and a preamp to which I would connect the SMSL AO 200MKII so that I have a set connected...THANKS

[@PassionforSound]

Yes. That would all work fine! You might find that a cleaner signal path of taking the SU-9 Ultra direct to the AO200 MK2 (e.g. use RCA outputs for one device and the XLR outputs for the other). Having the L70 in the middle of the chain might actually degrade the sound a bit so perhaps try both setups and see what you like most.