I believe, we all agree the RS130 is an incredible hardware product that produces beautiful hi-end audio. The complaints I’ve read are primarily about the software.
History & Customer Support:
HiFi Rose created this incredible Community Forum Tool (that’s great customer support) ← very few Audio/Video Product organizations do this.
HiFi Rose’s active customer support is proven by its past history; see below.
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In 2023, there was a lot of complaints; many were harsh ← see HIFI Rose merely a hobby brand or a serious business, that is the question?
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In 2024, there was a lot of software improvements ← IMO, the biggest improvements were:
- improving the database scan/rescan performance
- Classical Music Catalog: [Ver 5.7] ROSE Classic
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Already, in 2025 there’s been a lot of improvements, see:
- [Release] Official v5.9 Feature Introduction
- support for the streaming service: Qobuz Connect
- support for the streaming service: [Feature Highlight] Symphony.live
- Early Access: [Feature Highlight] Rosetube Recommendation System
- Early Access: support for DLNA (Media Server) playback functionality
IMO, some of us are complaining too harshly
I believe, the harsh complainers are expecting too much and are expecting everything now. Some complaints are legit - especially the hardware faults & the interconnect problems.
I am encouraging the report of problems and the report of suggestions/ideas-to-consider. I am discouraging the doom & gloom harsh complaints. Suggestions & problem reporting does help HiFi Rose evolve their software. Doom & gloom harsh complaints achieves nothing.
IMO, we need to understand HiFi Rose’s Planned Evolution
I believe, HiFi Rose RS130 was originally designed to be a hi-end music streamer. Music media playback & music media server functions are secondary functions. (BTW, The CD Ripping product function is still to be considered as an experimental function ← I recommend CD ripping is best to be done using MAC or PC third-party programs.)
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RS130 is great for Qobuz, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Tidal Connect, Symphony.live,… ← Amazon Music is still a work-in-progress. (Hence, RS130 is a great music streamer)
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Currently, the RS130 has Music Media Playback/Server UIF weaknesses; hence, if you don’t like the Rose Connect Premium app then consider using Roon as your music media playback user interface or purchase a dedicated media player like Dune HD 8K Max ← Dune HD is a Home Theater Movie/TV Show media player/server (& IPTV Player) that is currently evolving to include a music/photo-slideshow media player & music/photo media server user interface (some streaming service android apps may run but are not officially supported on the Dune HD 8K media products)
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for other people’s opinions, see Benefits of RS130 User Interface Software
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Realize that RS130 has many great functions, including:
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RoseFM: “country” radio stations with beautiful Vintage Radio front panel “user interactive” display (see, Can RoseFM be made available on RS130?)
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RoseRadio: great especially with Shazam; has many radio stations
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RoseTube: great for searching/playback of ad-free YouTube music videos
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Roon Ready with current song/artist info shown on the front panel display
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Roon Connect Premium app (for android, ios, windows) is continually improving ← android app supports both portrait & landscape mode
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Since Version 5.9, playlists have evolved (for additional improvements, see [Release] Official v5.9 Feature Introduction - #13 by Boldlygo)
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For prospective buyers & owners who are getting frustrated due to the lack of Help Guides & lack of a detailed User Guide, see RS130 User Interface
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I hope the above helps you participate in this forum and encourages you to help other forum members & to help HiFi Rose evolve their products.