high end dacs are different mainly because the analogue output stage ,they will have good psus and quality dac ics
The 150B uses the ESS9038Pro DAC chip and the RS250 uses the ESS9038Q2M DAC chip. My old ears couldn’t tell the difference, what’s probably more important is how the output is handled. I use my RS250 as a digital streamer/source only and feed a better DAC and output.
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Bonjour, je serais intéressé par le résultat de l ‘analyse des lecteurs rose 150 et rose 250,car j’ ai peut etre une occasion d’acquerir un 150.cordialement
Si le prix est juste…
Le RS150 a le plus grand ecran, le meilleur qualité de son, des plusiers connections. Moi, je l’utilse seulement la function streaming et le RS250 me suffit perfectement (avec un DAC externe). Mais si vous voulez un boîte pour tous, je pense le RS150 (sans ‘a’, le veille modele avec le dac AK4499) est le meilleur choix.
Ok merci pour les infos. Je me suis renseigné et apparemment, gros avantage avec notre rose 250, car on a l égaliseur alors que le 150 et 150b pas d égaliseur. Et c est nettement plus efficace que les filtres, je sais pas si vous avez essayé, mais par contre il faut utiliser le dac du rose, sortie analogique.
Bonjour
Tres intéressé par ce comparatif, merci d’avance
Ça tous depende de votre souhaites. Et portefeuille.
Salut. How do I send you a PM here? I just purchased the Hifi Rose 250A, and now I’m being told the 150 is the one I should buy??? I would LOVE to see what the main differences are. Merci.
The 150 has a bigger screen. That’s the main difference. It also has balanced outputs, so if the rest of your system is balanced, there might be some slight improvement. All other differences are meaningless as far the the sound goes.
3 weeks ago I bought a brand new HiFi Rose 250A. Now the unit will NOT turn on… just a flashing power light… So, I sent an email to custom service and they replied saying they want me to send the unit for “warranty evaluation”.
So, if THIS is the kind of customer service you get at just 21 days in, imagine what they will say in 1 year… AND now I discover that the RS130, with NO DAC costs almost 2x the price of the 250A? Their model numbers are super confusing… the entire brand makes no sense… So… Bye bye HiFi Rose…
Hello McIntosh DS 200… And at least I now McIntosh customer support is AMAZING… HiFi Rose has been trash. never again, and goodbye to “Made in S. Korea”.
I agree regarding support and follow up. I have the RS250 since 2021 (not a cheap device here in Australia). I like the sound very much , however, after trying all kind of configurations, I use the RS250 just as a streamer into Denafrips DAC. I know the theory is that as a digital streamer it shouldn’t make a difference in the sound, but it does a lot. In my system and my ears, I get the best sound when streaming via the Rose RS250. However, I am still an unhappy customer, as when trying to play video music files , they stutter and freeze (even when enabling VLC) . I have to play the videos via a MAC Mini and the sound into the same DAC , but the sound is not exactly the same. Even after I tried to reprocess the videofiles , I still get the stutters and freezes (however the sound continues to play well, even when the video freezes - the stutter is only in the video). This issue and luck of progress on even attempting to fix this basic problem (by a software company!!!) convinced me not to buy another RoseHIFI product,.
You did not mention where you bought the device. Did you buy direct online from Rose? Or did you buy from local retailer?
I have had a RS-250 from begining and had good luck since 2021. Sorry you have problems but the device sounds amazing here.
Rob
Purchased from Audio Advice… the BEST experience. https://www.audioadvice.com
They have a 30 Day Return policy. Exchanging the unit for McIntosh DS200 streamer/ DAC.
Audio Advice is great. Audio Advice Live in August is a great show.
I buy from them too. Not sure why they couldn’t just replace it for you.
Rob
How would you like them to remotely repair your streamer? You need to send the device to your local distributor to inspect it and repair it under warranty, but first, you need to verify it.
I had a 250 for almost four years, nothing had happened to it. I sold it, and another user is happy with it. Of course, there were occasional minor issues, like with new updates, but generally, they always fixed them after a while. Their main problem is the software, which can sometimes cause problems, but not for all users.
I bought an RS 151 and it’s still working great.
HiFi ROSE RS150B vs RS250A – Main Differences
Both the RS150B and RS250A are high-end network streamers from HiFi ROSE, but they are designed for slightly different purposes and offer distinct hardware configurations.
- DAC & Sound Architecture
RS150B: Uses the ESS SABRE ES9038PRO DAC chip — one of the most advanced chips available — providing exceptional dynamic range, ultra-low distortion, and rich musical detail.
RS250A: Uses the ES9028PRO DAC, also a high-end model from ESS, offering excellent balance and clarity but positioned slightly below the ES9038PRO in raw performance.
→ In short: RS150B delivers a slightly higher-grade DAC performance, while RS250A focuses on an updated circuit design and improved noise control.
- Output and Connectivity
RS150B: Features fully balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs, multiple digital inputs/outputs (optical, coaxial, AES/EBU, HDMI I/O).
RS250A: Provides similar connectivity but with a more compact form factor. The power supply and output stage have been redesigned for improved efficiency and lower noise.
- Display & Interface
RS150B: Equipped with a large 14.9-inch full HD touch display, offering the best visual experience among ROSE products.
RS250A: Features a smaller 8.8-inch touchscreen, but with a faster and more responsive interface thanks to improved internal processing.
- Internal Design & Power
RS150B: Uses a high-capacity linear power supply and solid aluminum chassis for stable power and vibration control.
RS250A: Adopts an enhanced linear power supply and low-noise clock for cleaner sound reproduction and tighter timing accuracy.
- Network & Software
Both units support:
Ethernet / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth
Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music (via AirPlay), DLNA, and more
Internal SSD and external USB storage for local playback
RS250A, being the newer model, benefits from slightly faster booting, smoother app integration, and better overall network handling.
- Design & Build
RS150B: Larger, flagship-grade build with a focus on premium design and performance.
RS250A: More compact and modernized, easier to place in smaller setups but still uses the same high-quality aluminum chassis.
Audio Advice took it back with no questions!! It’s HiFi Rose that was BEYOND Terrible… So, I returned to Audio Advice and got the McIntosh DS200!! SO MUCH better!! And if you have an issue, you call McIntosh and speak to a LIVE person in New York. EXCELLENT customer service… adios HiFi Junk.
BOTH are JUNK. HiFi Rose has absolutely AWFUL customer service and support. BOTH units crash consistently… SOLUTION: go to Audioadvice.com and buy yourself the McIntosh DS200 and rest assured, you’ll be smiling. 
That’s too funny, I just purchased another HiFi Rose device from Audi Advice. I got the RS520. I returned the Eversolo DMP-A6 and got a DMP-A6 master edition only to have this one fail to output sound again for same issues. They took it back and gave me full credit toward the upgraded RS520. The 520 is rocking right now. I love the full screen and it has lots of power to drive the KEF r11 Metas .
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