Hi all, I currently have an Innuos Zenith MK3 + Innuos Phoenix USB running as Roon Core in my stereo system. I use the one from my Esoteric K01XD via USB cable as an external DAC. As a result of a test that I did placing a Roon Ready device (a discontinued Esoteric N05) I realized that a Roon Ready device greatly benefits the final SQ. One device I'm considering is the Rose 150. For this reason, I would appreciate any comparison that they have been able to make with the 150 (only as a streamer) with other devices and brands, and see which is the best option for SQ quality. The environment to follow would be through Roon Labs.
My thoughts on the HiFi Rose 150B
Well, after the honeymoon wore off I ended sending the HiFiRose 150 back. It boiled down to how I’d use it and it just wasn’t 3k better than my Auralic Aries G1. The Rose is a great piece with tons of features and it sounded great. The video features (RoseTube, Tidal music videos) is certainly cool along with the display and all the other things it can do but streaming Qobuz and Tidal it did one thing noticeably better and that was MQA which I figured it would. My Anthem isn’t MQA certified so using my Auralic USB into it doesn’t give me the full MQA experience but listening to Tidal SD and Qobuz HD/SD it was pretty close. I could have added a TV to my music room to fully enjoy what the Rose does but I have a great movie/video system so it’s not something I was ultimately willing to do. So in the end, I don’t have anything bad to say about the 150, it’s built really well, sounds great and has tons of features but it doesn’t fit my needs.
Showing 5 responses by nadimjaber
Hi all, I currently have an Innuos Zenith MK3 + Innuos Phoenix USB running as Roon Core in my stereo system. I use the one from my Esoteric K01XD via USB cable as an external DAC. As a result of a test that I did placing a Roon Ready device (a discontinued Esoteric N05) I realized that a Roon Ready device greatly benefits the final SQ. One device I'm considering is the Rose 150. For this reason, I would appreciate any comparison that they have been able to make with the 150 (only as a streamer) with other devices and brands, and see which is the best option for SQ quality. The environment to follow would be through Roon Labs. |
@donavabdear thanks for your comments. For a week I have been testing the Rose 150B in my system. There are certain peculiarities of use that I have not yet been able to solve to see if its introduction as Roon Ready improves my current Streaming system. The possibilities of the Hifi Rose are enormous, but I don't know why it won't let me do the following: Roon Core through Innuos Zenith + Innuos Phoenix USB+ USB IN input of the Hifi Rose, from there the problems. It won't let me use the USB output (although in one day I could, with a lot of effort, because it continually went to the ethernet input) I can only use the coaxial output. Is there a limitation of Hifi Rose that doesn't allow us to use USB input and USB output at the same time? Another question I have is the HDMI output. That output is only to connect the TV, is it not acceptable to connect it to the AV? |
@donavabdear Hi, I use my esoteric K01XD as an external DAC through its USB or Coaxial inputs. I don't have IS2 on my system. Coincidentally we have common elements in our audio systems: JL Audio F113 and the CR-1. The Rose 150b when I use the USB IN does not allow the USB output, so I can only use the coaxial output but that prevents me from hearing DSD, not even via DOP. Unless there is some configuration that allows it. Although auditory memory is generally poor and for a short time, the memory remains in my brain when I put in my system, like Roon Ready, the Esoteric N05 (discontinued model) and how I substantially improved the SQ of streaming. I do not perceive that feeling by placing the Rose 150B. There are subtleties in the sound, but they are minor and nothing that justifies the investment of that device in my system for now. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong in the configuration of the device. Thank you for sharing your appreciations. I am very grateful to you for it, when you suggestion in the settings will be welcome. |
Hello everyone. After spending a season with the Rose 150B for use as a streamer and not as a DAC, the conclusions are that it is a device that in that sense complies, but it is not really the function for which it is designed and to get the most out of it. If you have a good DAC it is not worth the investment, it is better to put it as an all-in-one device. When I put it in my Innuos chain (Zenitih + Phoenix USB), it gave problems when using its USB input, since in that mode it did not allow the use of its USB DAC output, but instead forced you to resort to its other digital outputs. It seems that the best use option is through its ethernet input. If I placed it between my two Innuos as a streamer, the results at the sound level did not present a particular variation, perhaps it could be said that it was a little better having the Phoenix synchronization clock just before the USB input of my Esoteric K01XD. In a sound test between streamer Rose and the Esoteric N05, both using the coaxial digital output and of course using the same power cable in both cases. The results were pretty obvious, the N05 was much better as a streamer. The SQ improved in every way, I don't know if this is due to the synergy of linking two Esoteric devices, but the difference in terms of the improvement of the SQ was unquestionable, clearer, more fluent music, more natural. The music played effortlessly enough in any kind of musical genre and sonic complexity that I proceeded to purchase an Esoteric N05 from my dealer before they ran out of stock. I am very clear that the N05, at the current price, is one of the most competitive streamers on the market and a wonder if you combine it with the Esoteric K series.
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