Researching different streaming amplifiers for purchase. The RS520 is on the list. Lots to like, but I’m reading about issues on this forum that are not resolved and that’s giving me pause. Would like to hear from owners of the RS520, if you’re happy with the unit and that issues are getting resolved.
Comparing the RS520 to other Mfg’s are these teething issues? Do you regret your purchase? While I like the idea of an all in one unit, if HiFi Rose, and other all in one mfg’s are having continual issues, I would consider going separates…Thanks in advance.
I bought mine from the USA distributor in 2023. I use it mainly for Music Discovery, using RS520 USB input, listening to whatever I have playing from Web Browser on my Windows PC. I do use Roon sometimes. I did not face any issues so far. I am almost fully satisfied with it for my needs.
It was a bit frustrating that in some cases VU meter does not work, and that it had no dedicated Subwoofer out. (I connected Subwoofer to RS520 PreAmp output)
I had tried EVO 150 from Cambridge Audio for 2 weeks at home, before settling on RS 520.
Before RS520, and EVO 150, I was using Nord Three SE 1ET400A MKII Dual Mono Stereo Amp from NordAcoustics, UK, based on Purify class D modules rated at 230Watts @8 Ohms, it is not a streamer. I still have it and may go back to it for a change.
WiiM Amp, RS520, EVO150 and NORD , were all attempts to recover from the sad loss of a DIY Amplifier I had made long ago using ILP UK, 2 X MOS248 modules. I had it for a very long time ~30 years, was very happy with it after I wired in a new PreAmp module, Every Amp sounds different.
Unfortunately ILP Electronics UK is no more in business.
Good luck with your Amp purchase.
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Thanks for taking the time to respond. I like the look and capabilities of the RS520. But if the mfg is still having issues with the unit it makes me hesitant to spend the money on it. It’s been out what 3 years? I’m also considering a Yamaha A-S1200 and using a CXN100 for streaming. I like the idea of an all in one unit. But not if the reliability isn’t there.
Depends on what you are planning to do with it. Rose’s software is, sadly, quite a bit behind competitors. Hardware seems to be quite fine and you can’t really determine the failure rate from forums – people with no problems do not complain.
As a Roon endpoint it has been faultless, and that’s how I use it 95% of the time. I occasionally queue something from Qobuz directly, or put Youtube New Year fireworks on, and haven’t had any problems with it, but did not use it enough to say that it always works.
Perhaps you should explain what is important for you.
There are so many features & functions but which ones do you absolutely need? Which are nice to have and so on…
I only use radio and local music from FLAC files on the internal SSD
I use the internal amplifier with direct attached speakers
i use the pre out to a external amplifier and a 2nd set of speakers
…
There is a learning curve which makes studying and testing necessary. After all, digital audio devices are like personal computers.
The support forum here is really good! The staff from ROSE are there to help and are really friendly, the user base is also there to help !
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Thank you for taking the time to answer. Your and others opinions and information provided, help out greatly in my decision process.
If I end up purchasing, I would be using the RS520 to primarily stream audio from different sources for the most part. It would not be hooked up to a tv. I would also purchase an external phono pre amp. I like the appearance and power of the RS520, and being able to run so many apps.
The big display is a plus for me. I look at it as an all-in-one that I could build from. I would also hook up a portable drive that contains all my music. I see these type units as the future. I’m aware that it’s not going to compete against a 10k-15k separates system.
What I’m unaware of…is HiFi Rose fixing any known issues and what exactly are the known issues…If any. At this point, I imagine long term reliability is an unknown. The 1 year warranty is a drawback. For peace of mind I would probably purchase through Crutchfield and buy an extended warranty. Other manufacturers offer better warranties from the factory.
In my opinion, the RS520 is the best looking all-in-one on the market today. I appreciate any information/opinions provided. Thanks again.
I didn’t mention in my replies that the RS520 would be driving a pair of Wharfedale Super Lintons. If anyone else is using these speakers I would be greatly interested in how the RS520 and the Wharfedales match up.
I should add while I anticipate buying the Wharfedale Super Lintons, I have not purchased. I have the RS520 and Lintons in my Crutchfield cart. But still deciding at this point. I’m also considering the KEF R3 Meta, PSB Passif 50 and KLH Model 5. I’ve added or deleted items in my cart more times than I can remember at this point.
The amplifier in 520 is not the absolute best one could get. For everything else it is as good as a $10K, or $100K system.
They are fixing them, but on their schedule and their priorities. Better would be to specify which functionality you require and check whether those pieces currently work well.
Thar’ really something that can’t be determined without listening to them in your room. All are pretty good speakers, so you’d have to try them… 
Nuclear Dog,
You have to define reliability. The hardware is the absolute best. Impeccable. There isn’t anything close.
The software functionality must be parsed. Is it stable? Yes. It is rock solid. There are a myriad of features and options. Many more than in any other competing device. Do they all work? Yes. Is the GUI interface beautiful? Absolutely. However, are they all easy to use and intuitive? No. Are there some use cases where they don’t work in the manner in which you would expect? Absolutely. Could the decision tree be better arranged? Without question. Are there some quasi essential functions missing? Yes. Does it have a steep learning curve? Yes, absolutely.
So in the end you have to try the software to see if it works for you.
StandardModel
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I am using the RS520 for about one week. So, I have not that much experience with it so far. However, up to now, I am very satisfied with it. With my Focal Sopra No. 2, it does sound really good. I compared it with a NAIM Uniti Nova and a Lyngdorf TDAI-3400 and to me it sounded really similar for a much lower price.
There are still some software bugs and some strange translations, but overall these are minor issues compared to the overall performance of the device. I would buy it again.
Perhaps if HiFI Rose offered a better warranty I wouldn’t be hesitant. But I can purchase a 4 year warranty for $299. Still other manufacturers offer 5 year warranties and you can purchase another 4 years if you so choose. For the price nobody offers what the RS520 provides. I tend to spend time researching products before I buy. What I’ve looked concerning the RS520 is impressive.
dtp,
If you can live with the software limitations, nothing comes close to HiFi Rose.
StandardModel
I have had the rs520 for about 6 months and I absolutely love it.I am using it to add to a 5.1.4 surround system comprised of a Marantz Cinema 40,MiniDSP SHD,Arendal 1723 towers and center,surround,and 4Klipsch in ceiling speakers.Using Roon with Tidal and Quobuz as source with full acoustical treatment.I would say that even with separates in the same or 2x the investment,you would be hard pressed to get better SQ. As far as updates etc I think Rose does a great job.I would definitely buy again.Good luck and let us know what you ended up with!
Newbie here – do you mind me asking how all these devices fit together?
I have just bought this RS520 as a second hand just for try it and how far we are from real highend for a reasonanle price . Besides my coda
csib it not come even close but not as far i have expected
This all in unit sounds absolutely fantastic in all
matters
I have Martin logan Spire speakers and it’s a wonderful match. Powerhouse and dark
background and grear resoultion, detailed and never harsh sounding .
For the money - GREAT value and have tried a lot of hifi
components in the past
RS520 is a beauty and great quality in all aspects i think
I totally agree with you on everything you said about the 520.What a bargain,just add a great source like Quobuz, set up properly and you have SQ that nobody comes even comes close to without shelling out megabucks for that final % !!Glad you are enjoying @ Clouse,what did you have prior to your 520?
You have probably long made up your mind by now, but as a new owner of an RS520 I’ll give my initial impressions.
-Looks fantastic. I believe designs like this will be the future.
-Setup and initial boot is close to flawless
-I did have an issue getting logged into Qobuz. You have buttons to login via Google, Apple, or Facebook. I actually linked and used Google, but I could not get those buttons to respond on the unit or on the phone app. I ended up resetting my password, and logged in with user/pass.
-I found I was running the RS-520 at some point up to 70% (with my 120w max speakers) which I worried about given that the RS520 is rated for 250wpc. I later found in this forum that there are different speaker types that can be configured in the setting with bookshelf being default. I suspect that this bookshelf setting attenuates the output for protection, but I have not measured the output watts YET.
-no headphone input, but I knew that going in
-no dedicated sub output, and I have heard (in the forum) that using the pre-outs gives a bit of a low volume in some cases, and if you try to adjust the pre-out level the Rose will turn the main speakers off and prefer the pre’s.
-I did run into a screen message that was in another language than my native, but not Korean so that was fun. Hopefully that was not bad news because I had no idea what it was telling me.
-sound of the RS520 so far to my ear is pretty fantastic. I will need more time with it to form better opinions, but compared to my tube amp the Rose holds its own, and is able to deliver more low end which I find usually lacking in tube amps with the speakers I have run with it. It also doesn’t help that my amp is tube rectified which is bad news for music because tube rectifiers are slow.
-navigating the menu so far has been pretty easy. I have not needed to get the manual out for anything yet.
-EDIT: I did run into an issue where the VU meters were stuck in the full forward position. Changing the volume level did not get them to sort it out. This was happening on all VU “skins”. A reboot fixed it if I remember right. Also I will need to test it out, but my initial feeling is that there is no way those VU meters are accurate.
All-in-all I wouldn’t call it a grand slam for Rose, but I am not getting upset over the small things I have seen either. I also considered the NAD M33 which has sub, headphone, Dirac and a lot more I/O, but it costs a lot more money, and I read some reviews saying that it sounded sterile. I feel I will be happy with Rose. HTH
My only question as a new owner to anyone who read this would be is the analog input digitized first and then converted back to analog for amplification? I hope not.