Is it better to combine the transport part of the new product RS151 or the old RS130 with the DAC RD160 ?
If your primary focus is maximum digital audio performance from a transport to pair with the RD160, the RS130 remains the superior match due to its dedicated design for high-end digital output.
However, if you are seeking a more compact, versatile, and modern all-in-one streamer with optional digital output, the RS151 may be a suitable choice.
Please let us know your listening priorities or system setup if you’d like more tailored guidance.
Thank you, I prefer maximum digital audio performance.
But I read that the CPU and GPU specifications of the RS151 are more powerful than those of the RS130. Do these differences not impact the use of the RS130 relative to the RS151 ?
RS130 :
RS151 :
While the RS151 has a more powerful CPU and GPU, the RS130 is designed specifically as a high-end digital transport with a focus on audio purity rather than processing power.
The differences in specifications do not negatively impact the RS130’s performance for its intended purpose.
More CPU power can result in more electrical noise which could impact the performance of the following DAC. Therefore more CPU power is not a good indicator when you chase maximum sound quality.
It’s more useful to compare quality of oscillators f.i. or
Which unit has lower jitter and lower electrical noise on its outputs.
The integrity of the bits is no problem, but side effects from EMI and RFI are.
For the best performance when connecting the RS130 to the RD16*, HiFi ROSE recommends using an AES/EBU or I²S (via HDMI) connection.
Both options provide excellent digital signal transmission, with I²S offering superior jitter control and signal integrity—especially when both devices support the same I²S pin configuration.
Thanks for this advice ROSEHAN. 
Interesting. Can you explain why SFP USB is not recommended please?
Also, does the recommendation change if an external clock is being used?
I seem to have read that with an optical SFP connection there is no need for an external clock…
I2S will introduce more jitter. It’s a worst possible connection for inter-device communication.
SFP (apart from being absolutely useless), optical or not, has nothing to do with a clock, and if you do need an external clock, then you relly need to buy a decent DAC in the first place.
USB (no need for SFP) is the best connection that abvoids any possibility of jitter.
But of course since the conversation is in the context of audiophiles, i.e. people with literally negative IQ, one should just use whatever is the most expensive and inconvenient connection they can come up with. It will lift the veils and darken the blacks and wife will hear it from the kitchen.
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Do you have both the RS130 and RD160 devices?
If so, and only if so, how did you connect them?
“… people with literally negative IQ.” :
I didn’t know that the numbers measuring the IQ belonged to the set of relative integers. 
Nope, sorry, I do my research before buying equipment. And if I want to spend money on something with no practical purpose whatsoever, I’d rather take the family out to Alinea or French Laundry or something like that. Costs about the same but at least you get a dinner to remember.
That said, if one already has 130 and 160, laws of physics still stand. Purely digital transport does not matter, and unless the DAC is crippled on purpose (which 160 isn’t. It’s mediocre, yes, but equally on all inputs) the best connection is USB, the worst is I2S, and S/PDIF or the “pro” AES/EBU alternative are in the middle. Optical at least has a potentially useful feature of complete galvanic isolation and a low-noise design, which isn’t necessarily the case with SFP modules.
You’d be surprised at what incredible feats of brainlessness audiophiles manage to demonstrate.
Boris, you’ve hit the nail on the head again. 
And you…
Do you have both the RS130 and RD160 devices?
If so, and only if so, how did you connect them?
And here we have an audiophile proving the point once again. Despite both an audiophile (use the most expensive cable you can plug into both devices) and a correct (use $5 USB cable from the nearest office supply store) having been provided, audiophile will kkeep asking until he hears whatever it is that he wants to hear.
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