HiFi Rose RS250

I’ve had a 150B purchased from Upscale for about 3 weeks now.  Sources are Qobuz, Spotify and it has every available internet radio, podcast and YouTube  that you tune in on a vintage looking UI - very cool.  There is a Korean gent that does a really good comprehensive review on YouTube.   It has performed flawlessly, and there have been a couple software upgrades that download automatically.  The unit came with a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth dongle that is surprisingly fast, when I make music changes on my phone or iPad, they take place instantly -I was used to a few second lag when switching songs with my previous streamer.  I debated the 250 vs 150, but the 150 has a better DAC, a linear power supply, and of course a bigger screen, but a biggie is it also has way more inputs/outputs including balanced XLR, which 250 doesn’t.  It is a very large and heavy unit, so think twice if you’re spaced constrained-built like a tank.  I haven’t used the remote because the screen and iOS app is so good and responsive.  Very impressed with the overall experiences, and the sound quality Is phenomenal. Clarity, detail and smoothness are well balanced with a full rich sound.  I’m hearing incredible details in familiar songs that I never heard or noticed before.  I also looked at Lumin, Chord, Aurender , Bel Canto and Denefrips before going with the Rose, nothing really compares when I weighed out the full offering and the screen/UI.  The iOS app is making me rethink my need for Roon.  

I bought an aurender A10 and liked it so much a couple weeks later I bought a 250 for the second system.  I'm streaming tidal and qobuz and the available variety is truly mind bongling and wonderful.  Like any source, quality of the specific song/album varies depending on recording, mastering, etc.  It doesn't sound as good as the aurender but its close and is plenty good enough for the more casual second system.  I'm still getting to know the interface.  I highly recommend the unit.   

About a month in, and mine continues to work flawlessly, for whatever that's worth.

I did buy the 150B. Unbelievable unit. Surpassed all my expectations and no longer need to follow the Musetec stand alone DAC train. The integrated ESS 9038 is amazing.

I did find a way to relocate my internet gateway and now have run Onti CAT8 ethernet to the Rose. No more wifi. No issues....

Would concede that the 250 would benefit having the same direct connect.

Very happy!

"Wow I am sure glad I went with the Bel Canto e.stream. Not a single issue and a US Company.

No fancy color screen just fantastic sound!'

Except that the RS150b kind of blows the Bel Canto out of the water from a sonic perspective--and is much more fun.