Korean HiFi Rose is one of the few high-end manufacturers that really focus on user-friendliness. Their streamers have gigantic screens and a simple user interface, which we fell hard for when we tested their RS150B. A fantastic player with an integrated DAC.
The top model RS130, on the other hand, does not. You’ll need an external DAC, but in return you get a 15.4-inch LCD touchscreen, a dedicated SSD for music storage and buffering, as well as coaxial, AES/EBU (XLR) and optical digital outputs, in addition to HDMI and I2S.
Noise suppression
Any digital noise from the home network is effectively blocked thanks to the fibre-optic Ethernet input directly at the rear. The USB transfer is also via fibre, and the OCXO digital clock is of a particularly precise type. Up to 100 times more accurate than the traditional type, for those who want to know. The letters are an acronym for Oven Controlled Crystal (Xtal) Oscillator and it is used in applications where accuracy is very important. GPS and other military use, for example.
HiFi Rose is the latest example of how sound quality and ease of use don't have to be mutually exclusive.
The construction is solid aluminium, with heat absorption on the sides of the case and ventilation integrated into the logo on the top plate.
The operating system is based on Android and you get local storage for streaming services like Tidal and Qobuz.
HiFi Rose RS130: price and availability
The HiFi Rose RS130 is available now and costs – brace yourself – €4799.
More info: HiFi Rose