Shockingly Good: HiFi Rose RS150B Overview & Features

[@Audi0phool]

What a great review…Very detailed, thorough and well done!! Just outstanding. As far as the product goes… HifiRose, wow it looks incredible!! I need one of these in my life :)

[@tmr_audio]

Thank you very much! have you had a chance to try out a HiFi Rose yet?

[@fernandopiresmarques899]

Why HIFI Rose do not made a SACD player?

[@joeythedime1838]

Big question for me is if the Eversolo DMP-A8 hits above it's price and competes with the RS150B?

[@gtrguyinaz]

Tell me how it works 5 years from now…. My Oppo all in one box uses saber dac and is 10 years old and still plays well…

[@TeressaWI8777]

What cable connection would I use to maximize the Dac of the Hifi rose connected to a Denon AVR 4700h

[@cardinalfang7725]

That was one well done review. I'd like to hear from someone using it as a preamp, what their set-up is and what their thoughts are on the performance as a preamp.

[@billboericke3582]

I bought one about 9 months ago and it is a good product. I was rebuilding a stereo that had been mothballed for 20 years and I didn't know if my Sonic Frontiers SFD-2 DAC was repairable (it was, but it took 9 months and about $1,000). The HiFi Rose preamp function is fine - you don't need a preamp if all you are going to do is stream. But if you want to play CDs, as well, you might want to get a preamp if you already have a CD transport. I have a mid-90s CEC TL1 transport that is better than any new product you could buy today for under $10,000 (for half a CD player) and it really doesn't sound that good using the HiFi Rose as a DAC through the coax-in port. Maybe it's intentional to try to get you to buy their CD transport (about $800) that connects differently. I bet it sounds better. So try that, if you don't already have a transport. The DAC in the HiFi Rose is quite good - but not as good as the Sonic Frontiers DAC - which just delivers richer sound with better bass. I now only use the HiFi Rose as a streamer - I run a digital-out cable connection into the Sonic Frontiers DAC - it just sounds better. But a DAC as good as the Sonic Frontiers would cost you well over $10,000 today. My guess is that I could have bought a streamer-only better than the HiFi Rose for $5,000 - but I didn't know if my old gear was ever going to come back from the shop. So the bottom line, if your total budget is $10,000 or less for amp, speakers and streamer/DAC/preamp, then you can't do better than the HiFi Rose and you will be very happy with it.

[@michaelp7185]

I am happy with my RS150B except for my using it as a pre amp incorporating it with my TV and two channel set up. The sound I hear does not match the mouths and action on the screen. I have tried HDMI as well as toslink. I am hoping not to have to buy an actual pre amp or integrated amplifier. Please advise.

[@matthewhoult1350]

Great review and thanks for the I2S info

[@tmr_audio]

You are welcome Matthew, it is one of our favorite features of this unit, and is not well advertised.

[@matthewhoult1350]

@@tmr_audio Just got back from the Munich High End show and HiFi Rose was showcasing their new RS130 flagship dedicated streamer (no onboard DAC) this unit sounded fantastic. It supports a SFP fiber network input, a USB3 Fiber output as well as a I2S output which can be configured through the full width touch screen display, very swish, expect delivery in August price about $5k. They was demonstrating the RS130 streamer with a Holo Audio May KTE DAC so maybe some time soon they will also release a stand alone flagship DAC to partner with this new streamer....

[@jewellcorley1645]

Great job and detailed info. Just to be clear, though, I can hook this streamer to my Venus II? I want my Venus to be the main DAC.

[@tmr_audio]

You most certainly can use this streamer with your existing DAC using the digital out

[@davidrobin3480]

I would like to see an I2S Input on these Rose streamers as the internal DAC is such a good one already, please provide the I2S Input on the hardware going forward, this would add to this amazing unit. 👌

[@arleneallen8809]

A link right here for the user's guide would help answer questions. Features I consider essential are: in home wired ethernet capability at least 1G; Ability to setup a server based music library as a source; IOS and Windows support for the app on the tablet or other local device (dependency on phone app would have to be Bluetooth and not LTE); SACD support for DSD layer and DSD to external DAC. The streaming looks quite good. Many of us have high end libraries much better quality than streaming, hence that need being primary.

[@frreedy]

Can I use this streamer with my McIntosh C2600 Pre-amp?

[@volpedo2000]

Wouldn’t it great to see a side-by-side comparison with Aurender products.

[@kevinsilvernale6953]

Nice…as an owner of a Holo Audio May Dac, I am wondering if HiFi Rose is planning to release a streamer with out the dac included-at a lower price point?

[@tomooo2637]

Look at the RS250, about half the price with a small front screen (it is a smaller box), same OS, slightly lower spec dac and less IO.

[@Vsread21]

Yeah if they can make a great streamer, I'd actually PREFER if they removed the DAC and the touch screen. Superfluous

[@tomooo2637]

@@Vsread21 Then I think you are looking at the wrong product, this is everything in one package : pre-amp, DAC, streamer, UI. There are plenty of streamers out there that are good and cheaper as they are only a streamer.

[@Vsread21]

@@tomooo2637 I understand what this product is. Like Kevin, I’m curious if they will come out with a dedicated streamer in the future.

[@junior-OG]

rs130

[@gacco11]

How can i connect my record player?

[@N430-b9m]

If I linked this with the Hi Fi rose CD player can I store the CDs to memory and how many albums will it store .

[@Tom55data]

You can install a ssd disk in the base, so you install lots.

[@andreschanes2770]

Why Rose'units do not support Amazon Music?

[@billv4075]

Looks like an awesome product! Given the choice do you prefer the DAC in the Rose, or your PS Audio?

[@ozon8r]

The DirectStream MKII DAC is substantially better than the ROSE 150B internal DAC. But the Rose 150B is still very impressive. I use the Rose for streaming to the MKII functioning as the DAC love this combo.

[@lfmudge8030]

All you need is a good quality Amp with a built-in Dac and an apple box what else would you need? lots of lossless Music on Apple Music

[@AUDIO-U4YA]

Hey man what happened to your podcast with David? I learned a lot from it and to miss it.

[@AUDIO-U4YA]

@Duncan Taylor looking forward to having you guys back on the airwaves together again. Your discussions were a fabulous resource and very informative. Hope you’re not away for too much longer!

[@josefnachbaur9564]

Nice review, thank you. I bought the new RS130 streamer, which uses also Rose OS and Rose Connect App. The build quality & design is exceptional, sound too. BUT the software is absolutely crap - how could you be so satisfied with that, you are praising the software on your review. There are so much bugs, translation error (German) and software quirks, but most critical is DB Scan / Re-Scan, duration is endless - about hours or more a day! For Re-Scan for just one new album. That’s not acceptable and absolutely unacceptable. What was your experience regarding DB-Scan and is this behavior acceptable for you?

[@Skye_the_toller]

Still not understand how people stands beside of it to play with the screen! Save the money of the screen supply a a good app for phone & tablets!

[@tomc878]

$5K MSRP it better be good. Overkill and overprice for a Streamer/DAC/Preamp. Your better off using a good dedicated/separate Preamp. From my experienced the Preamp sound quality is lacking the dynamic sound quality usually from these type of all in one unit (Streamer/DAC/Preamp).

[@doubleblindtest4649]

That is a 2 din version of an android car headunit😅

[@robert-johnbronswijk5218]

Wat doet Apple dan of de nieuwste televisie of auto’s. Toch allemaal hetzelfde. Dit heet vooruitgang

[@kennethtaylor2143]

You are crazy if you pay $5K for a damn streamer

[@tomooo2637]

You pay to the level you can hear the difference. You need to try different components in a shop and decide what is important to you. For most people where a phone music mp3 is fine, then this is very very expensive. If a mini-system is your thing, then buy a mini-system. I bought this system and I can hear the difference between streamed CD quality and higher bit rate data, which means the limit is now the data I can afford to stream. Good hearing is a curse - I cannot stand listening to poor quality music with distortion it is tiring and annoying - and in the worst case, gives me labyrinthitis. I have finally hit a point where I can enjoy the music without wanting to rip my head after 30 minutes, and so I don't need to spend any more. Some people buy expensive cars, some people buy cheap run-around cars. Some people buy handbags that cost 1000's, some people use a washing powder box to carry stuff.

[@mikelanier5617]

Hmm, I'm handicapped with progressive Multiple Sclerosis along with a few other neurological diseases and in constant pain. No treatment or medications help so I use music therapy to cope as best I can. I do hear and "feel" major differences in quality audio components and still use budget items when they perform beyond their price. So I don't feel "crazy" and no it's not just the placebo effect. Most people don't have the right equipment to hear these little or even fractional changes in the sound from a dac or streamer change, but using a properly setup system that has good synergy can be life changing for some of us. PS: I don't buy $6.00 coffees because everyone else does either, but damn my hifi and video system are fantastic !

[@blairsprague8112]

Software continually fails and has glitches...bought hifi rose rs150 a few years back when it initially came out...have regretted the decision ever since...stay away from hifi rose

[@saint6563]

You are a singularity; thousands have been sold. What industry information do you have to back up the products are so buggy they shouldn't be purchased at all?

[@StanThePigeon]

I’ve had the RS130 for almost a year and have had zero issues. The app isn’t as flashy as the device, but it’s my understanding that major improvements are coming, but currently works well. I was showing my fiancé how the app works yesterday and she was surprised and is enjoying it too!

[@stevenkoski228]

$5K, sadly for those who have no pride in building a media (CD/Vinyl) library, but agree to a monthly subscription fee🙈. It’s loaded with gizmos, gadgets, bells & whistles, but it comprises HiFi’s bottom line; CLARITY🤨. Components of high quality, straight-line minimal design retains the signal’s purity. This device adds so much circuitry, that the signal is fettered & it’s clarity is lost, the sound is gussied-up to sounding acceptable. Simply adding circuits to correct anomalies of the one before it, & so it goes🙈. A toy to satisfy the tweakers, nothing more.

[@garychauvin89]

Have you heard it ??

[@NoBody-ij9dj]

All we need now is someone to give me the money to buy it. You see I live in Biden's America were everyday people finish last and pay more for gas, groceries, rent, mortgage, just about everything you can think of. So alas, I can no longer afford such a beautiful piece of audiofile goodness when just 2 years ago I might have considered it.

[@miquifaye]

Lol. Cope harder and stop blaming Dark Brandon for your self inflicted misery !

[@YoneLuck]

Came to Russia, we have not such problems. You are welcome. Bought any devices wo any compromisses. Rose in this list

[@robert-johnbronswijk5218]

Wat doet Apple dan of de nieuwste televisie of auto’s. Toch allemaal hetzelfde. Dit heet vooruitgang

[@robert-johnbronswijk5218]

Wat doet Apple dan of de nieuwste televisie of auto’s. Toch allemaal hetzelfde. Dit heet vooruitgang