HiFi Rose is a relatively new audio technology brand from Korea, that focuses on delivering high-quality streaming audio in an accessible way, utilising a host of innovative features. HiFi Rose claim to focus on the lifestyle of the music lover. So let’s put it to the test and take a first look at the HiFi Rose RS150B High-End Audio & Video Streamer…

Chromey begins his inspection of Hifi Rose RS150

Your first impressions of the Rose RS150B streamer are dominated by the unique and super slick 378mm touchscreen display, to the point you initially miss the utterly superb case, which has been machined out of a single solid billet of ultra high purity aluminium. As well as looking good, this provides a super solid base for the units state of the art electronics, acting as a thermal heat sink for the cool running of the unit, and doubles-up as a mechanical vibration sink; all helping to aid the superb sound quality.

As well as the solid aluminium billet case aiding the superior sound quality, the Rose streamer has on board and under the cover some pretty impressive technology. For a start, it boasts the use of the highly regarded ESS Technology SABRE ES9038PRO DAC. For the technically minded, this allows the HiFi Rose streamer to play both PCM digital files up to 768Khz 32 BIT and DSD digital files up to native DSD512 (22.5792Mhz) – some of the highest studio grades. HiFi Rose choose a super regulated linear power supply as a power source for the unit, which is tuned to both reduce mains noise and provide a super clean DC supply for the audiophile electronics inside. A further reduction of digital jitter and digital noise is taken care of by use of a Femto master clock. (A Femto clock is a super accurate, down to a single femtosecond; one quadrillionth of a second!)

As mentioned, the huge touch screen dominates the fascia. This not only provides an excellent and changeable look to the front of the unit, but provides a direct and highly useable interface to control every aspect of the HiFi Rose streamer. This makes setting up the machine for your exacting requirements, controlling the myriad of both analogue and digital connections, and the streaming options super easy. As well as displaying your album art and other user options, a selection of interactive screensavers can also be displayed, customised to your requirements.

The screen is matched in its flexibility, actually surpassed in its flexibility, by the units connectivity. As a stand alone streamer, it can be super straightforward; simply connect your amplifier or active loudspeakers to either of the XLR balanced or RCA phono output connections and play. The Rose RS150B offers optional volume control. Just connect to your internet and stream direct from music sources such as Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal and Qobuz. Not forgetting it can stream via ROON and Apple Airplay, with DLNA compatibility, the streaming of your own music from a NAS drive, off your computer’s hard drive, or an (optional internally fitted solid state drive or external USB) hard drive.

Impressively, the unit offers high quality streaming of 4K HD video (including YouTube), plus a huge selection of internet radio sources and optional Bluetooth! Adding to this, the unit provides analogue and digital inputs with switching, two HDMI, (including ARC, enabling your TV sound and TV remote to control the unit.) four USB connections allow you to link a combination of portable hard drives/flash drives, CD drives as well as directly to your computer or laptop. You’ll also find coaxial and optical inputs and outputs, plus a pair of high end I2S digital outputs for ultra high end DAC upgrades.

In use, the HiFi Rose OS app is downloadable to any current Android or Apple device. This compliments the impressive touch screen, allowing full control wirelessly from your favourite armchair. The app is slick, and intuitive to use. Offering easy input selection, easy streaming and easy control.

And what a sound! Playing the latest Hi-res audio formats is approaching the very best sound digital can offer. Even with standard CD, the sound is sublime, smooth, fatigue free and a highly musical, accurate performance; on audition now, at Audio T Manchester.

Thanks for reading.

Haden, Mike, Munir, Dave and James - Audio T Manchester

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