Since you’re an expurt here… tell me how is it that Rose is able to offer Spotify Lossless via Spotify Connect on the RW800 unit while not on any other Rose product?
I put the question to Rose, but since its the middle of their night… they haven’t responded.
So would love to hear your theory.
I think there is a potential of a downgrade on two fronts when using the RW800. I believe you have to use the RW800 network via ethernet or wifi and share it with your Rose device which defeats the purpose of SFP connected ethernet with the RS130 and I am still not sure how little or how much the on board RW800 DAC interacts with the signal so there could be a potential for double processing depending on your setup when used with external DAC.
Ok…
I’m looking at images of both the RW800 and the RS130 backsides.
The only input would be if you connected the USB-C on the RW800 to the USB-A Audio on the RS130.
Then use the RW800 only for BT or Spotify connect. That’s it. Since its a digital in… you don’t hit the RW800 DAC at all. You bypass it.
On the RS520… you would probably use the Toslink (optical) in and then use the BT and the Spotify connect thru the RW800 and only use the RS520 BT for the remote if you still need it. I don’t really see the need for this product. I’m running Spotify on my Mac, where I use the MIDI to upsample to 768x32 and noticed that the interface is using the Rose internal clock …
So yeah, I am sorry to say… this really doesn’t buy us much… but I guess it would depend on your stack.
Interested in the RW800 for an older RS150, but only in using with usb.
My problem: All three ports are in use (Dongle, DAC and CD) and do hub is needed. Which one is really recommended?
For RS130 the RW800 user manual mentions connection to any of the two USB-host ports on the back. And states that USB-Audio is not to be used in the ‘Expansion Mode’. USB also carries 5V power for the small unit too, I guess
Thanks for that input…
That is interesting.
Yes the USB carries the power.
On the RS520 the USB A ports are for output only. Only the USB-B port is input.
Hence I would have imagined that the audio usb port was the input port.
Still the USB connection is the only way to connect to the RS130. And the only feature(s) is BT and then Spotify lossless from the RW800.
I’m sorry but I really can’t see this of being much value to RS130 owners.
@duffer5 , you have the RS130… do you see something that I’m missing?
As an RS520 owner, I don’t see a lot of value… some if you want better BT and Spotify lossless, but that’s about it.
For existing RS130 owners, I’m still trying to understand the value proposition because, at least on paper, it seems like there could be some tradeoffs.
If I’m interpreting the user manual correctly, the RW800 connects to the network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet and then passes that connection to the RS130. If that’s indeed how it functions, it introduces another powered network device into what was previously a very clean signal chain. One of the design philosophies behind the RS130 has always been minimizing electrical noise and optimizing the digital audio path, so I’d be interested to understand how HiFi Rose has ensured the RW800 doesn’t compromise that objective.
I’m also looking for clarification regarding the onboard DAC. I understand the RW800 can output a digital signal, but does selecting a digital output completely bypass the DAC and all associated analog processing? In other words, is the digital stream passed through bit-perfect and untouched to the RS130, or is there any internal processing taking place before the signal leaves the RW800? That’s an important distinction for those of us using the RS130 strictly as a digital transport.
Stepping back, I’m also trying to understand where the greatest value lies for current Rose owners. If the RW800 is primarily an external bridge that adds features such as Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect—features that many competitors have integrated natively—it feels more like a workaround than an evolution of the RS130 itself.
On the other hand, if the RW800 is intended to be a fully capable standalone streamer that happens to integrate well with other Rose products, then I can certainly see its appeal for new customers. I’m just less convinced of the benefit for those of us who already own an RS130 unless there are technical advantages that haven’t yet been explained.
I’m hoping @ROSEHAN can provide more detail because I think many RS130 owners are asking the same questions.
Yeah the value proposition is a tough one…
This may not be the droids you’re looking for. 
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It looks like the RW800’s network sharing feature could replace a Wi-Fi dongle.
I’m using no WiFi, but the dongle for Bluetooth, which is needed for the remote (RS150 doesn’t has IR).
More like a hot spot than the dongle.
The upside of the RW800 is that you get better BT than some of the units like the RS520.
That’s one of my pet peeves is that Rose has one or two models for wi-fi/bt dongles so it limits options and features.
I think Bonte doesn’t want to reply because he uses more advanced software called Roon. I use Roon as well, and this little gadget is of absolutely no interest to me.
Naw that’s not it.
Yes I agree that there is little appeal to this device to a lot of people here. If you want better BT and wifi… maybe.
But here’s the issue… the RW800 does Spotify Lossless via Spotify Connect.
This implies that its running a different OS than everything else. No longer on their customized Android 7.x
So this begs the larger question… what OS?
By now the wheels should be turning… if they have a scaled down OS for the RW800 … how far off would it be to have an upgraded OS for everything else?
If you have the RA180 or RA280 then the RW800 may make sense.
If you want to get better wifi and BT along w Spotify lossless. this device may make sense.
But that’s about it.
I don’t see that the RS130 customer is their main focus here. Are you missing any functionality on the RS130? I can’t imaging that many people with a $10K+ digital front end are going to insist on having Spotify Lossless. I still don’t see why more people don’t just buy Roon Lifetime and a little computer and be done with it.
I agree.
I have a hard time seeing this for other devices.
Roon Lifetime works only if you have a music library. And there are other devices that are similar …
Yet …
I guess it would make sense if you have an RAxxx amp, or you want better wi-fi and BT plus spotify lossless and you are not using a device connected to your USB port … e.g. a laptop. (even your phone???)
For me… I use my MB20 for BT, and the USB input from my PC which give me an up sampled output via Apple’s MIDI app. I could use my iBasso DX180 via its SPDIF out to the COAX in. But that’s a bit of a hassle.
But again… who knows who will want this?
I’m not going to judge. Its not that expensive.
I should have added that there are no doubt some good use cases for a device like this - just not so much for RS130/RD160 owners. And you’re right that as I get older, I forget that the new generation grew up without physical media.
WOW! HiFi Rose release a plastic streamer with wired ethernet to connect to you expensive all metal SFP enabled high-end streamer. It supports 384KHz and DSD128 at most. Still no NAA (but what would be the point?).
Is this a joke?
I don’t see a problem with the RW-800.
For me it’s a cheap optional add (or you can use it without a Rose device), primarily for Google Casting.
There isn’t a need for higher bitrates or NAA on this device (also RAAT I would not use with the RW-800), but other services (Tidal connect, Spotify, Apple Music,…), which couldn’t added to the current Rose devices.
Nobody must buy a RW-800, but anyone can…