HiFi Rose 250A issues with app & setting up

I had the RS250A awhile ago and I found the software to be glitchy.  Tidal streams would play at the wrong bitrate and sounded like Alvin and the Chipmunks.  I found the UI to be ok but not great.  I could have lived with the interface as it sounded very good but couldn’t live with glitchy software for the price.  I sent mine back and went with separates.

I think life is too short to waste time with junktronics. Return for refund if it doesn't work properly.

I would return the unit.  You know it’s not your Wi-Fi or other equipment.  The operating system is critical in my experience.  I’ve had similar negative experiences with other brands although I haven’t used Rose equipment.  I’ve had a positive experience with Bluesound and the BluOs operating system too.  I run an Innuos zen MKII streamer now in my main system and their Sense app is even better streaming Qobuz in my experience.  Their online customer service including their online community is also very helpful.  

See if you can do a "factory reset" on the unit. Then try to set it up again. 

On most streamers, I have found that using the streaming service app works better over using the streamers app. 

Most WiFi issues are usually endpoint related, if not signal. Like you are on another network, or a different segment. Also cheap mesh networks for the most part suck at hand-off and sustained transmissions. 

The factory reset is a good suggestion from mswale. It’s been my experience that hardwired Ethernet cables are the way to go not Wi-Fi…if possible. I will run a very long Ethernet cable and router before I ever use Wi-Fi. I too have a HiFi Rose, but I have the RS130. I had found the software interface to work but it doesn’t live up to the Bluesound OS. Bluesound put in the time and effort into

customer service that is needed to make these streamers. I had been kicking around the idea of trying Roon and decided to get the Nucleus One. It integrates seamlessly with the HiFi Rose and I use it instead of the OS on the Rose. I use the touchscreen on the Rose to make adjustments to the player. Have not tried RoseTube yet. I am hoping HiFi Rose provides software updates to fix all the glitches that customers experience. I only mentioned my experience since you seem to really like the sound and don’t want to get rid of it for another unit or another brand.

I also have a 130 and have never even looked at the app. I use Roon and have a dedicated server (Small Green Computer i7) and it works very well this way and sounds amazing. I used to use a M1 Mac Mini to run Roon core and that also worked very well.

I thought the software issues Rose had were worked out long ago as I haven't heard of any for quite a while. I don't know anything about the status of the 250 though. Even though I don't use the app I have found the operational interface to be top notch. If there were a button on the remote to turn off the display entirely it would be perfect. The display is amazing, either in meter mode or "what's playing now" mode but sometimes (rarely, tbh) I like to sit in the dark.

So, even if you don't want to use Roon I would agree that using your streaming service's app is probably the way to go. I would also agree that ethernet is a much better way to stream music if it's at all a possibility, even though I doubt the wifi is causing your issues. 

Personally I don’t have patience for stuff like this and hope you find a solution, but several others here have been underwhelmed by the Rose software, and that their support for a unit at this price level is basically nonexistent is inexcusable IMO.  If it was me I’d say the writing is on the wall and send it back and get this used Innuos Pulse for about the same price and be done with it.  It likely sounds at least as good as the Rose and comes with their outstanding Sense app and customer support, and I believe this reputable dealer takes returns so very little risk to try.  Life’s too short to deal with crap like this and be left twisting in the wind when so many other excellent options are available.  Best of luck. 

https://tmraudio.com/components/music-servers-streamers/innuos-pulse-music-streamer-1-0/

I have a Rose 250A to get it to work with the app I have to use the WiFi tethering. It will create a WiFi network projected by the streamer. Maybe try turning it on if you aren’t connecting that way.

I have the RS1500B streamer and it sounds amazing. I’d make sure you’ve updated the software on the unit. I’d also strongly recommend not using WiFi and go hardwired.  Make sure you pose your issues to the rose community website, not only will you get direct feedback from Rose but the community in general. 
I have found d the interface to be a bit difficult at times, I have to use “standby” versus off when shutting down or you have to remate the unit and the app each time which is bizarre. 
regardless the unit sounds amazing so it’s worth figuring out. 
 

I purchased the HiFi Rose RS130 about three months ago and absolutely love it.  The streaming quality easily surpasses the Eversolo DMP-A6 ME it replaced.  And, the Eversolo was a step up from other streamers I owned previously including the Bluesound Node, the Wiim Pro, and the Innuos ZenMini MK3.  However, I did find the HiFi Rose UI/software a bit glitchy at first.  It took a few weeks to get to the point of fairly smooth operation.  Part of that was a learning curve and part was glitchiness in the software.  It definitely is not as user friendly as the Innuous Sense app or the BluOS app.  And, I still have occasional issues with having to log back into the app on my Android tablet (Denovo)....maybe once a month.  But the streamer is top notch in every other way.  And, I love RoseTube as well.  So, if you are like me and can put up with occasional, minor hiccups with the app in return for superior streaming quality and outstanding features, then stick with it.  But, if your problems go beyond this and/or you are not tolerant of less-than-perfect app performance,  return the HiFi Rose and look at one of the higher end Innuos products.  Their app is second-to-none, IMHO.

I have had the HiFi Rose 250a for just over a year now.  The sound is fantastic and unequaled by any other source in my system.  However, I did have a learning curve on using the software.  The Korean machine has a lengthy manual which is difficult to understand when starting out.  Take time to interact with the machine and you will be glad you did.  There are so many functions to understand with the software that it can be overwhelming at first.  First off, don't bother using the included remote.  It is useless compared to your phone, tablet or laptop downloaded with the Rose Connect app. Secondly, Wifi is not the recommended method to connect to the internet.  I have an airport router nearby which connects to my network through wifi.  I have connected to the router using an ethernet cable and all my connection troubles have stopped.  Third I use Tidal, Qobuz and Apple Music as sources. I recently added a 2TB SSD to add recorded music ripped from CDs using an apple superdrive. Recently I canceled my Qobuz but it remains as an option on the screen to choose.  It can still be chosen but you can only listen to about 30 seconds of the track chosen before it moves to next track.  Perhaps you aren't properly logged on to Qobuz through your Hifi Rose 250a? I found joining the Rose Community web based app(rose audio.kr) very helpful to trouble shoot and correct problems.  These were problems only because I didn't know how to use the machine correctly. You can find the answers to many of your questions quickly here.  Disregard the frustrated few responses bashing the system. Hope you get to enjoy the Rose as I have now!