HiFi Rose Launches RS151: Upgraded Successor to RS150
After years of anticipation, HiFi Rose has finally unveiled the RS151, the successor to the much-acclaimed RS150. As someone who's been following their journey, it's exciting to see how they've listened to the community and pushed the envelope even further with this release.
At first glance, the RS151 retains that sleek aluminum chassis we loved in the RS150, but look closer, and you'll notice subtle yet significant enhancements. The front is dominated by an upgraded touchscreen display, now boasting a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 382 pixels. It's slightly larger, making navigation through music libraries and streaming services more immersive and intuitive than ever.
Under the hood, HiFi Rose has made some serious upgrades. The heart of the RS151 is the new ESS Sabre ES9039PRO DAC chip. This chip is a powerhouse, effectively reducing digital distortion to negligible levels. Coupled with 4th generation Hyperstream technology and a refined Femto clock, the RS151 delivers impeccable timing and minimal jitter, translating to an audio experience that's remarkably clear and detailed.
One of the standout improvements is the complete physical separation of the digital and analog circuits within the device. This meticulous design choice cuts down on noise and interference, resulting in outstanding channel separation and a stereo image that feels expansive and true to life.
HiFi Rose didn't stop there. They've addressed the community's desire for better wireless connectivity by integrating a sleek antenna supporting the latest Wi-Fi standards and Bluetooth 5.4, courtesy of the Qualcomm QCC3083 chipset. This addition not only streamlines the aesthetic but also enhances functionality, offering aptX playback for high-quality wireless audio.
The RS151 is now powered by an 8-core RK3588 CPU, backed by 8GB of RAM and 32GB of eMMC storage. This robust setup runs on Android 12, a significant leap from the previous Android 7.1 system. The new OS brings improved stability and customization options, allowing users to tailor the device to their preferences and even download apps that enhance their multimedia experience.
For those looking to integrate the RS151 into a home theater setup, the inclusion of an HDMI eARC connection is a welcome feature. It supports uncompressed audio up to 24-bit/192kHz, making it a breeze to connect to a TV and enjoy movies and series with superior sound quality. Plus, you can control everything seamlessly with your existing TV remote.
Another noteworthy feature is the ability to convert PCM audio to DSD and upscale it up to DSD512 using the ROSE DPC module. This opens up new possibilities for enjoying PCM audio sources with the rich characteristics of DSD.
On the connectivity front, the RS151 offers COAX and AES/EBU ports supporting PCM sampling rates of up to 24-bit/384kHz and DSD128. The addition of Trigger IN/OUT expands integration options with other components in your setup.
HiFi Rose has clearly put a lot of thought into the RS151, enhancing both its technical capabilities and user experience. It's slated for release soon, with dealers already listing it in both silver and black finishes. While the exact price hasn't been confirmed globally, it's expected to be around €4799 based on European listings.
For audiophiles eagerly awaiting the next big thing in digital audio players, the RS151 promises to be a worthy successor to the RS150, combining cutting-edge technology with user-centric features that make the listening experience both high-quality and enjoyable.
