HIFI Rose merely a hobby brand or a serious business, that is the question?

#189

There are two issues.
The product being discontinued… and then the company going tits up.

When products are discontinued, there are no more software updates.
For your typical amp, pre-amp, that’s not a major concern so they will last and can be repaired to a point.
Its when you have DACs, or anything that are software controlled where you start to run into issues.
In theory they will still run, however some features may no longer work.

Here’s an example. I have an older model Sony 45" flat panel TV that is over 15yrs old… (I think)
It was a smart TV but now apps like Netflix no longer work. So if you want features you need to buy a fire stick or some other TV app device. The rest of the TV works fine.

When the company goes belly up… the same thing applies, however trying to get spare parts or manuals, diagrams etc… goes away too. Also some companies may do a discount trade in on their older products as a way to keep the customer a customer. No company… that’s not an option.

#190

I don’t think that any things of Eversolo or software ever being bug free or without flaws.

Its just that they happen to have the best UI out there.

The interesting thing… its also probably one of the easier things to fix too.
Within reason. (E.g. migrating up a major release in some software is a total pain.

#191

On paper, I have the Rose and the Eversolo, I assure you it’s not all roses and flowers. :grinning:
There are pros and cons on both sides
It would be more accurate to say which device best meets your expectations. Based on this, everyone can decide which one they prefer.

#192

Oh absolutely.
The WiiM and Eversolo Play may have a more intuitive UI, and would probably be graded a little higher.

And yes, to your point… the Rose RS520 offers better hardware. Although on paper, it could be a toss up outside of the amp. Yet the AIO is a sum of all of its parts and it seems to work well together…

I like the RS520 … warts and all. Works as advertised.

1 Like
#193

I consider the Rose RS520 to be an excellent machine.

3 Likes
#194

Agreed, I love my RS520 as my office system with a pair of Monitor Audio Silver 3006G.

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#195

I agree 100% with the OP.

Today --after ZERO responses from Hifi Rose for RS130 and RS160 support-- I am returning both and leaving honest reviews on various forums. My experience with the RS130 is ABSOLUTELY MISERABLE.

When these two devices did work together they sounded very good playing through several of my high-end amplifiers and speakers.

However – They are UNRELIABLE and Hifi Rose support is NON-EXISTENT in my experience. To date – they have not yet replied to my repeated asking for support in this forum and through their distribution channel. THAT IS NOT PROFESSIONAL and indicates a complete DISREGARD for the CUSTOMER.

I performed 8 factory resets by myself to get the two to communicate through fiber and coax. 8 resets with the absurd and time consuming mandatory configuration after each reset. I am not new to high-end audio so I am especially disgusted with the lack of support by THIS COMPANY.

The RD160 is a beautiful device that sounds great, but it is now replaced with the easy to setup and reliable-in-operation PS Audio PMG 512 DAC.

The RS130 is a stupidly designed device (PIN??? wtf?) that appears designed by multiple teams without coordination. Changing contexts (such as CD playback) stops playback (wtf?) and configurations are idiotic. If these were developed by actual software developers – you are in trouble as a company.

Over $12,000 US for what has proven to be unreliable jewel encrusted un-supported and excessively expensive at that…

…good luck. Oh, I should add that these forums are infested by prepubescent fools polluting what should be adult discourse. What their motivation could possibly be is beyond me, but the lack of “policing” by the owner of the forum is a further inexcusable insult to paying customers. Well, I’m getting my money back as soon as these are received by the vendor.

2 Likes
#196

There absolutely is BUG FREE software in audio appliances. But this company is unable to play at that level. I know I am correct.

1 Like
#197

I am returning my RS130 and RD160 today because these connections are UNRELIABLE. The same is true for the COAX and I2S connection between them.

This isn’t HW it’s software.

I got ZERO support from HIFI ROSE – which is the insulting part: To be successful with a sub-par product, try supporting your customer.

1 Like