Dear Rosehan, thank you kindly for your message. For our understanding of the matter, please help us understand how your challenge updating the Spotify SDK is mysterically overcome in launching a new product that should be working on/with the same SDK?
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I have two guesses. 1) It is technically not feasible to retrofit existing models with the software update because of some hardware issue or 2) it is less expensive for Rose to create a second piece of hardware that can handle the third party software such as Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect from a licensing perspective. Plus users subsidize the cost through the purchase of the new device.
My only hope is that Rose figures out how to incorporate the third party software into future streamers because two boxes are clunky and add one more point of possible failure.
What I don’t understand is the exact role of the RW800. It seems to be a fully functional streamer DAC. It receives a network connection and has digital and analog outputs. Presumably D to A conversion happens in the unit and the 2V output can be sent to a preamp. Alternatively a digital signal can be output to another streamer DAC via the USB out. For those of us with a multi thousand dollar investment is Rose hardware this would seem the way to go if we want to listen to Tidal or Spotify and get the benefits of the nice screen that we have come to love and presumably a better DAC. But who knows. I just think this is a really suboptimal solution but perhaps the only solution Rose could come up with outside of a complete recall of its devices that are out in the field.
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Dear HiFi Rose users
For the newly released products, we are not simply incorporating the updated Spotify SDK to add Spotify Lossless. Instead, we are planning to integrate a dedicated module that already supports Spotify Lossless directly into the new devices.
At this time, we do not have a feasible method to add Spotify Lossless support to our existing products.
Therefore, we concluded that releasing the RW800 module and allowing it to connect to current Rose devices is the best possible solution.
Thanks to ROSEHAN for that explanation and the outlook to have to connect externally an additional module, named RW800.
However, this looks like a substantial slackness in hardware development, as at least the RS130 is not an old product.
Therefore, it would be quite appropriate to offer that module a substantially reduced price or only at shipping costs to the owners of the respective devices in the field. We live in a world where digital updates maintain well developed devices, regularily for free, at least on that level of top-technology at top hardware prices. IN another field, automotive, OEM correct hardware defects at own costs, as well.
To sum up: Provide the RW800 to current hardware owners for free, to keep the top-market-claim alive.
We fully understand why this situation may feel frustrating, especially considering that the RS130 is a relatively recent product and positioned as a high-end device.
Your comparison to other industries and expectations around long-term support is completely understandable.
The decision to develop the RW800 as an external module was not taken lightly.
Unfortunately, due to technical and licensing constraints related to third-party services, it was not feasible to enable these features through a simple firmware update on existing hardware.
Developing an external module was determined to be the most reliable and future-proof solution without compromising performance or stability.
Regarding pricing or potential support options for existing customers, your feedback has been clearly noted.
While we are unable to confirm any specific policy such as free distribution at this time, we will make sure that your comments are shared internally with the relevant teams for consideration.
Subject: Technical and Commercial Complaint – Lack of Software Update for RS150B
Dear ROSE / HiFi Rose,
I am the owner of your RS150B, a high-end product that I chose not only for its build and sound quality, but also in the expectation of long-term software support, which is now an essential requirement for devices in this category.
To my great surprise and dissatisfaction, I find myself in a situation where certain software updates are currently impossible without the use of an external module.
In 2025, with the technological means available today, I find it frankly unacceptable that a product like the RS150B cannot be updated natively and instead must rely on external solutions.
The use of an additional module such as the RW800, beyond being an evident technical workaround, is in my opinion an aesthetically and conceptually “dirty” solution, completely inconsistent with the philosophy and positioning of a high-end product like mine.
It is paradoxical that a premium device is effectively “capped” by an external add-on to compensate for limitations that should be addressed at the software level.
I find this technical and commercial policy absurd, especially considering the price and target market of the product. A customer who invests in an RS150B should never be forced to accept compromises of this nature.
The solution, allow me to be frank, is extremely simple:
invest in a competent software developer and properly update the system, rather than delegating to external modules what should be handled internally.
I look forward to your official response and to receiving clear explanations regarding your plans for future support of the RS150B, as the current situation is a source of great disappointment for me.
Kind regards
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Today if I want Spotify Lossless, I can take my iBasso DX180 DAP, use the SPDIF (coax) out to the RS520 and I have it.
The benefit is that if I want something portable… I just unplug it… turn off the SPDIF and plug in my headphones / IEMs.
Essentially any device that can plug into any of the RS520 inputs could be used to provide Spotify lossless.
I guess if you’re using eARC and your smart tv has spotify lossless (I don’t know if they do) you could also go that route too.
To all Rose users: I hope you had a good Christmas eve. Im the owner of a RS 130 and as already stated by me Im happy with the built, the screen and the sound of my unit! Following the forum here and all the requests, complaints etc. made by users in the past 2 years let me think one thing… I made the wrong choice with the RS 130…! The matter with Spotify lossless is the icing on the cake! Its almost unbelievable and mentioned by numerous users that now we discuss with Rose the above subject... and as usual dont get an answer when, at which cost etc. I for my part will review the market for streamers again to find a better candidate in the high end league which certainly wont have the nice screen like the RS 130 but have the same or even better sound but a relaible and forseeable future for me as a user. It may take some time but what do I do with a Streamer which is not up to the task of proving excellent music. Come on I skip the screen if Im not forced with other streamers to listen to MP3 and my high end system can at least play CD - quality. Just another food for thought: With the additional unit from Rose you have not only to invest in the unit but also in a decent USB cable as well as a good external power supply like Farrad or similar contenders …just count this together and have a good laugh about Rose`s policy! Regards Oliver
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That is not a thing.
Although needing an external unit is rather laughable.
Das ein Streamer wie zb der Rs151 kein Spotti verlustfrei wiedergeben kann ist ein Witz.
Die Gründe sind für den Endverbraucher erst einmal zweitrangig.
Wir reden hier von einem Gerät der 5K € Klasse die laut Hersteller im High End Bereich eingruppiert ist.
Wenn HiFi Rose da nur eine externe Lösung bieten kann,die dann nochmal ein paar Hunderte € kosten soll…dann habe ich wirklich auf das falsche Pferd gesetzt und werde dann sicherlich meinen Rs 151 verkaufen.
Die Konkurrenz ist groß.
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