Anyone heard this streamer in person? There is a Youtuber (Jay @ NBTS) who reviewed it and was gushing about it. Unfortunately, the review was pretty useless since it neither talks in detail about the sound quality, nor does he attempt to compare it to other streamers in a similar price range -- Aurender, Lumin, Sonore, Simaudio MIND2, etc.
The presentation, build quality, user interface, and the features look very impressive, but no clue on how it sounds. I also like the DAC chip (AK4499EQ) they're using. This can be a great streamer if you combine 2 channel and movies/TV in the same setup. Of course, the usual caveats regarding reliability, servicing options (in US), and product support apply here as well. I would love to hear from someone who has heard it and is able to compare it to similarly priced streamers.
I had a HiFi Rose 250A in house and compared it to my own Oppo 105-Darby.
The HFR DAC was clearly superior. It took only a minute to hear the difference. First thing to jump out at me was the 250A’s greater detail & transparency, amd a moderatlely more spacious soundstage. I didn’t hear the "crispness" that some people ascribe to the HFR DACs -- just increased detail without edginess.
I wouldn’t consider either DAC to be anything like SOTA, of course. But the 250A was clearly a step up/ The Oppo's internal DAC was pretty good in its day, especially in its price range, but it's now pretty old.
@farne230I think you will really like the 150. What amp/speakers are you using?
I have had mine for about a year and it's the best front end streamer/DAC that I've had to date. Been through Evo 150, M33, Teac NT-505, NAD C658...it goes on
It is amazing how well Radio Paradise sounds running through RoseRadio. I pretty much have this on all day. Very enjoyable.
Update on HIFI ROSE issues. My dealer finally discovered our connection problems; somehow our ATT rotter/modem via its firewall blocked the HIFI & Qobuz connections. When we tapped into the ATT device we noticed the firewall setting were changed to full security (don't know how since the system was running fine for years). After resetting the Firewall we connected, and all is well.
I purchased a HIFI Rose 150b and for the past two weeks my dealer and I have been trying to log in to their server, and it keeps telling us log in failed. We even contacted MOFI the distributer in US. Today, out of frustration the dealer took the unit to his office. Waiting to hear what he has found out.
Hey 150b owners, will this unit replace my Oppo105? I presently use the 105 and connected SSD to play music. I'd like to use my OLED display to select songs with a remote control, without internet. Does the 150b offer music management?
The 150b impresses most as a streamer imho. When played through an outboard DAC the SQ increases substantially. But as a streamer it excels (spatial, nice full bodied sound, detailed). The problem I am having with it, is that it has a lot of functions that I do not use, which give the impression that a more focused device could give (even) better sound quality.
I had it here. It was a good sounding unit. Not be-all, end-all in terms of quality but good. The UI stands out as exceptional. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the unit was to use. It is maybe a hair below the units in the $4K to $7K range in terms of sound quality. Clarity was good but not elite in terms of staging. As a total package it is worth the price but you can do better in terms of absolute sound quality at the same price with fewer features.
I have had my RS150B, for 9+ months at this point. I think it is absaolutely fantastic. The on board DAC is very good, ESS chip, and the software just keeps getting better every update. It has been reliable, 1 reset over the 9+ months. I easily found and imported my flac rips from my PC(ripped by my Aurender ACS10), the PC client as well as the Android clients make it unbelievably easy to use, and the sound quality is IMO easily as good as as the Aurender A20 for 40% of the price. I use the device easily 10+ hours each day (work from home). My only complaint is that it does not have volume control for the USB input, whereas it does for all the others, My next step with the 150B will be to send the signal out via AES to an Ayon Kronos Signature DAC once it arrives. It will be interesting to compare the sound from the onbaord DAC versus a tube/AKM dedicated DAC.
The display looks gorgeous. Built also, judging by pictures. For those who already have good DACs, I wish they offered a (cheaper) streamer only, no DAC built in
Never owned a Briscati Dac. My previous Dac/ Streamer was a Esoteric N 01 XD. The Esoteric is better (sound wise )however the Rose 150 isn’t to far behind, and as far as the feature set, ease of use, ( the Esoteric doesn’t even have a remote), the Rose is much better....
@musicmann1 I hate to say it because the guys at Bricasti were awesome on a service issue I had but , I like the sound of the Rose AK chip better. It sounded more spatial and there was a greater separation between channels. That’s the simplest way I can describe it.
I’ve owned a 150 for 4 months now ( ESS Version). It’s without question a superb Dac Streamer, a huge “ bang for the buck”. The feature set, build quality and of course the SOUND, are at a very high level. This thing could easily pass for a 20 K MSRP audio product.
The 150 sounds better than any DACI’ve ever owned. MEITNER M3,BRICASTI M1,BROOKLYN, LUMIN, MCINTOSH. It’s the most spatial it has the best separation out of any of the units that i have owned.
Have owned a 150B now for 5 months. It seemed too good to be true inside and out but ordered hoping for the best. Does not matter what I say here as it gets bit picked apart but this unit is real. App running Qobuz is great and clean. I will say for a 2 ch guy, there is a lot of Shiit I don't care about but it is simple to ignore.
My system has slimmed down and running the 150 as pre amp and DAC much to my surprise. I have A B tested with a few preamps (AR6 and Mc) and cannot justify the added costs, Dec, and cabling expense.
I have never heard my mono blocked system more quiet and dark. I am impressed yet dinosaur audio tweeker friends find it uncomfortably too simple, but none question the sound coming from from the sopra 3's. Things are changing.
@bkmaxey Did you ever order the Rose RS150? I've been reading and watching as much as possible and it seems legit and a possible game changer at its price point. I am now looking for some actual user feedback.
Has anyone had a chnace to compare it to the Cocktail Audio X50 Pro? They are two sililar objects in price, the RS 150 has the plus of the integrated dac and is also orented more on the video side.
@bkmaxey - I don’t think anyone is claiming that it’s not Roon-ready. I have no doubt that the software and user interface are top notch. What I am not able to get info on is the sound quality, especially when compared to the established high end streamers from Aurender, Auralic, and Lumin. Hopefully you’ll share your impressions once you get it.
Nonsense, the device is Roon ready. Their app, is also probably fine. Regardless, they seem very responsive and update their firmware and software fairly often. I am going to order one soon, and I’ll let you know my experience.
The key with any of these high $$ streamers is the quality of the control app. Tha reviews are totally suspect. A 4.6 BUT only one shows up - it doesn't work. Unless you find someone with a positive axperience, I would stay away. Good luck.
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