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HiFi Rose RS250

Hi, all.  There doesn't seem to be one, yet, so I thought I'd start just a general discussion thread on this new streamer for owners to share tips, tricks, issues, solutions, system setup, etc.  Kind of a one-stop shop for any potential owner, as well.

I just took delivery of mine.  It's smaller than I expected, which is not a complaint.  Doesn't need to be any bigger than it is.  Took me longer to find the right length of digital cable from the closet than it did to actually set the thing up, and that's including letting it install a firmware update.  Seems to be pretty plug-and-play.  It had the correct input selected by default.  I turned off all the outputs but the one I'm using.  Picked up my iPad, told Roon to send it music, and away she went.  No muss, no fuss.

I'm feeding mine via ethernet.  Qobuz is the main source.  Some local files, as well.  Output is coax digital to the DAC in my Mac pre, for now.  I'll be switching to the USB out when my Denafrips Pontus arrives, and balanced analog from there to the pre.

No tips or tricks to report so far, as I haven't needed any. :)

trentmemphis
trentmemphis OP
282 posts
 

I don't know if any of you guys have a USB WiFi dongle, but I'd be curious if you get different results.  Might indicate whether the problem is the software, or the internal WiFi hardware.

rockrider
181 posts
 

@raysmtb1 

Do you have the RS150 (with ES9038PRO DAC chip) or the RS150B (with AK4499EQ DAC chip)?

Thanks!

russmac8
7 posts
 

I tried both the RS150 and 250. The more expensive 150 is a definite step up in sound. The 250 is good as a stand-alone but will benefit from running to better dac. The only fault I found was being able to connect to and organize your local NAS files...still needs software improvements in that area. If it did that better the RS150 would have been a keeper.

raysmtb1's avatar
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raysmtb1
800 posts
 

I have the AK chip

mbolek
168 posts
 

Looks like the 150 is built like a tank. Does the upgraded 9038 and additional connection flexibility (HDMI ARC, XLRs, I2S, etc) justify the cost increase. It might for me...

Consensus is that streaming functionality is the same for both units.

With AKM coming back online, I wonder if they will look at their new Velvet chips or stick with ESS.

Back to the 250...They do need to work out some usability bugs but it is a solid product that will do well in this space.

 

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