Time for something new. What is more recommendable: RS130 and RD160 as a combination or the new RS151? Everything is powered by Soulnote A2 and Canton Reference 2. Is the RS151 good enough to replace the combination or would you rather recommend individual components?
Thanks,
Frank
I canāt speak to the RS151, but I replaced an Eversolo A8 with an RS130 + RD160 a couple months ago, and finally have a system that I am happy with. I went to an audio show last month and have to say that my system is as good, if not better than 75% of the systems in the demo rooms. They are definitely an impressive sounding duo.
Looking at the RS151 features, you should know that you wont get eArc with the 130+160, which I had with the Eversolo. I bought an inexpensive Zidoo Z9X 8K to get movie audio into my RD160 via USB to compensate for the lac of eArc.
Thatās exactly what Iām thinking right now. The new equipment will replace a Naim Uniti Nova and B&W 702 S3 system in our vacation home. At the moment, a Samsung TV is connected to the Uniti Nova via eARC, and an Apple TV 4K is also connected to the Samsung TV. This works well.
I just donāt want to compromise on sound quality if I buy something better now. In this respect, Iām currently leaning towards the 130 & 160 ā¦ This is also the system I used for my test listening.
Those are some pretty Cantons! Iām using some old B&W 804S that I purchased nearly 20 years ago. Looking to upgrade soon, but they still sound great.
I tried using the Apple TV with the optical out of the tv to the RD160, but it doesnāt sound right. Samsung might do better than LG for that though. I am really impressed with the Zidoo media player for movies, though only good for your own media, not streaming Netflix, Prime, etc as its missing the certifications. There are Dune players that have streaming, but no USB audio except for their highest end model. Another option is an eArc audio extractor (to toslink).
The RS130 can play non-Dolby Vision content, but the video performance is poor, as well as the interface. You do not get a system to view/catalog your media, and navigating a video is near impossible.
Here we go again: Iāve just decided to buy the individual components. Thatās a different class and Iām no longer in any doubt.
Let the games begin. Delivery is on 6.5. 
Congrats! Now the hard partā¦ waiting!
Can you elaborate your comment ābut the video performance is poor, as well as the interface. You do not get a system to view/catalog your media, and navigating a video is near impossible.ā ā I donāt expect the RS130 to manage movies, TV Shows, etc.; Iāll use Dune HD 8K to do this. I do expect the RS130 to manage āMusic Videosā of 480i, 720p & 1080p resolution (the Sony Bravia 8ii will do all necessary upgrades to 4k resolution). At minimum, Iām willing to use a Folder view to select my Music Video/Concert files and to play my selected video.
In addition,
Short videos are fine. Movies are cumbersome as you cannot really seek or return to where you stopped.
HDR seemed to work fine, but Dolby Vision does not work. Should be fine for you needs, even 4k. Would be cool to be able to run Plex or something on this machine though. If it can run on my phone, it should run on the 130 with a minimal effort from Rose (Android apk).
I havenāt really played with RoseTube, but seemed fine when I tried it.
Thanks for your reply. Iāll be buying the Dune HD 8K Ultra Vision when itās released. So I plan to use this Dune HD for movies, TV Shows and for any other long video (like podcasts, documentaries, etcā¦ ā I have an Anthem AVM 90 which has a top-of-line multi-channel ESS DAC (thus, great immersive sound for my 5.2.4 multi-channel movies,ā¦).
Regarding music stereo & music videos, I desire great Sound Quality. Thus my interest in RS130 & RD160. Iām hoping HiFi Rose will soon fix the HDMI Passthrough function so I can play Music Concerts & Dolby Atmos music; in the meantime, Iāll use the Dune HD media player.
BTW, regarding Plex being playable on your smart phone ā thatās possible because your phone has a full licensed Android OS. RS130 is probably licensed only for the developer version of Android.
What is it about audiophiles (especially the free-loader types still trawling for a free device from Rose) that makes them confidently say most stupid things?
