Review: The HiFi Rose RS250 Is A Forward Thinking Streamer!

[@c2mojo]

Nice overview, Bes

[@mr.b4444]

How is the customer service /support for this unit? I'm seriously considering purchasing one soon but have been disappointed with the service from other overseas manufacturers such as SMSL. Currently I prefer not to stream and instead play FLAC files from an external SSD. Is there a limit on how many directories and tracks this unit will recognize?

[@pedrobravi4179]

buenos dias ,me gustaria seguir recibiendo detalles de funcionamiento adquiri uno hace unos dias ,soy de argentina muy amables

[@aceofspades6667]

How is the Dac implementation in this compared to stand alone Dac units in the 1500-2k price range ?

[@MusicDirectChicago]

Ace, it's well integrated in the HiFi Rose Models, though any decent stand-alone DAC can offer its own level of sonics; it's how responsive it is with file streams from the likes of Apple Music, Qobuz and Tidal that gives models like the 250 its sonic identity. - Bes Nievera/Music Direct Brand Ambassador

[@RomanDubinin]

I've asked a question in official site QA section about RS250 power options. Month and a half later - still no answer. Hope It's not how they plan to treat all customers or the potential ones.

[@MusicDirectChicago]

Roman, depending on where you reside, their international distribution may also offer some advice on your question - in the US, it's marketed through our colleagues at MoFi Distribution. - Bes Nievera/Music Direct Brand Ambassador

[@aceofspades6667]

What is your question ?

[@rogerroth1369]

My question: I already have extensive playlists from You Tube. Can I transfer these playlists to “Rose Tube” or must I start all over again making new playlists?

[@MusicDirectChicago]

Good news, log in your KZbin Account and you’re all set. - Bes Nievera/Music Direct Brand Ambassador

[@MrJhn12nel]

With the smaller rose, are we able to use the menu on the TV screen for the tidel app and function?

[@MusicDirectChicago]

The HiFi Rose OS is independent, and does not display functions via HDMI. - Bes Nievera/Music Direct Brand Ambassador

[@djfirestormx]

do you have a plex media app support? i have such a curated list i would love to toss out the nvidia shield im using

[@MusicDirectChicago]

We had a similar question asked about this regarding the 150B, and at the moment there's no word on its compatibility - Plex, as I understand it is an Entertainment service that can latch on to most streamers, but given the 250's closed architecture, it's not clear if it can be used with Plex. We've reached out to the manufacturer, and we'll report back on this as we can. - Bes Nievera/Music Direct Brand Ambasador

[@oscillatingdailyaudio]

I'd love to know how this compares to Lumin T2

[@MusicDirectChicago]

Let’s start with the easy part - Lumin makes great gear…but Music Direct isn’t a retailer for the line, so without an A/B comparison, we can’t lay the foundation for a proper comparison. OTOH, the T2 should be compared in tech to the HiFi Rose 150B given the chipset and DSD512 playback, etc., to assess differences in sound, flexibility in hooking up gear, etc. Of note: Lumin’s unit does not appear to offer video music support (playback of video up to 4K); the 150B (and 250) does. We can say that the 250 on its own is an excellent sounding unit that has the ‘150B lite’ feels with the different ESS Chipset and less digital and analog input/output facilities. Think tighter sound vs the 150B up to DSD256, natural midrange, great detailed top end. Hope this helps - Bes Nievera/Music Direct Brand Ambassador

[@oscillatingdailyaudio]

Thanks! I’m strictly concerned with sound quality. The Rose obviously wins all the other categories

[@unklecorky2181]

Jimmy Stabler I’m cross shopping this streamer with the d2. Having wifi really scores points with me but I know there are workarounds for that with the lumin.

[@CaptainJamesTKirk-en4kt]

My question is can you hook up an external Hard Drive? I know you can put an Internal one in it and I plan to, but can you use an External Hard Drive to it, via the 3.0 USB input? I just picked one up today but I can not get any Hard Drive to recognize it...

[@MusicDirectChicago]

Per our colleagues at MoFi Distribution (who handle the US market for the line), “Yes, he can connect an external USB drive. He might want to confirm that it’s not connected to the USB Audio Out.” - Bes Nievera/Music Direct Brand Ambassador

[@LS-ti6jo]

​@@MusicDirectChicago What does "He might want to confirm that it’s not connected to the USB Audio Out" mean? I have 5 & 8 terabyte Seagate external USB drives with thousands of tracks on them. Can the various Rose streamers' play those songs if I plug the drives into the Rose streamers' USB ports?

[@briangc1972]

The only difference between the 150 and the 250 is that the 150 has XLR balanced output; the 250 does not.

[@MusicDirectChicago]

You should add critical power supply changes to accommodate its smaller size, as well as the omission of AES/EBU, I2S capabilities. The 150B’s casing is full billeted Aluminum with over 14” of display; the 250 is in a smaller chassis case with 8.8” screen. Either way, you’re welcome to order one and enjoy its fantastic sound - Bes Nievera/Music Direct Brand Ambassador

[@Locohora]

Clear, the RS150B has more interfaces. But how do you rate them soundwise? Is there a big or small difference?

[@oscillatingdailyaudio]

@@MusicDirectChicago They also have different DAC's ES9038PRO VS ES9038Q2M

[@highcurrent1125]

@@Locohora Great question. Time will tell...