The HiFi ROSE RS-151 versus Denon AVR-10H?

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#1

Dear fellow forum members,

Finally, I received it yesterday… my RS-151.
A brief introduction to my setup: I use a Denon AVR-10H as a preamplifier, connected via high-end RCA cables to two NAD C298 power amplifiers (mono setup), each driving a B&W 702S2 front speaker. Previously, I streamed my music via HEOS, but as of yesterday, I’ve received my RS-151.

The HiFi ROSE is directly connected to the NAD C298 power amps using XLR cables to create the cleanest signal path. When watching movies or gaming, I switch the toggle on the back of the NAD to the RCA input, and for music listening, I switch it to XLR. Okay, I hadn’t anticipated this hassle, so I’ll need to find a solution for that, but the concept is clear.

All components are connected with high-end power cables to a high-end power strip.

I had high expectations of the HiFi ROSE, but the sound is disappointing compared to my previous setup. It lacks dynamics and depth. The sound feels flat and the sweet spot isn’t achieved—something that did work well with the Denon.

There’s very little to tweak in the HiFi ROSE to improve this. I’m curious to hear if any of you have suggestions?

#2

What i would do is bring back your Denon AVR-10H in chain, maybe the RCA outputs from RS151 is a good choice. Then you can more direct compare your rig with HEOS before.

On the other hand, your RS151 is brand new and needs 100-150h to burn in, i believe.
My RS130 came more and more in today acutal sound after that burn in time.

A very nice tuning concept is on the network side:
FC to Ethernet converters, directly from router to your switch, using different FC converters and/or cables. In this forum you will find very interesting story’s from that side.

#3

Thanks for your quick response. I did actually include the Denon in the setup yesterday by connecting the RCA outputs of the front channels to the RCA inputs of the ROSE. That way, I don’t have to switch the NADs and can always run the system — either streaming via the ROSE or playing music via the Denon — through XLR. I was only struggling a bit with the volume control. Is that what you meant?

By the way, I wasn’t aware of the burn-in period — I’ll make sure to give it some time to “settle in.”
Regarding the network: I currently have one cable running from the meter cupboard directly to a Bonn Silent Angel N8, and from there a Chord cable going to the ROSE.

#4

Have you configured the volt level of the XLR output?

#5

I think I can offer you a few suggestions (these are not absolute recommendations, just my personal opinion):
1. The ROSE has a wonderful sound, and the device needs a bit of time to settle in. Let it play continuously for three to four days—it doesn’t have to be actively listened to, just keep it running with some content.
2. At first, use the original power cord that comes with the unit. If you wish, you can later experiment with different power cables, using the original setup as a reference point.
3. Since you’re using excellent Class D amplifiers, I would recommend going fully silver in your connections—if possible.
4. Never use the ROSE as a preamplifier if you want to avoid risking damage to your speakers.

That’s all. Enjoy the music!

#6

Two points:

  • For automatical (used with trigger) switching, you can use something like the BobWire XLR1:
    https://www.bobwireaudio.com/xlr1

  • My experience is, that in the most cases it’s better to use a good PreAmp and not only a streamer as PreAmp (don’t believe, that burn-in or a network cable will change here anything, but it’s important to use the right output level from your RS152).
    As PreAmp you can use for example a Primare PRE35, which has a HT bypass for your Denon and enough XLR in/outputs.

#7

Do you mean the pre-out level setting? That particular option is switched off. I have no volume control with the remote when I set the output to, for example, 4000 mV (balanced). Have to control the volume with my phone then.

#8

Thanks for taking the time to reply. The streamer is now running in the background — I’ll let it play for a while to see if things improve. I’ve swapped the power cord back to the original one. As for the silver cabling, I’ll keep it in mind. Currently using Chord Clearway X RCA and XLR cables.

#9

Are the BobWire XLR1 cables lossless? I need two of them probably for my mono setup with the NADs. In my current setup the Denon is the pre-amp right? You are also mentioning that its important to use the right output level from the RS151. Can you please provide me more information? Thanks in advance :slight_smile:

#10

No such thing exists.

That wasn’t really a thing even with analog tube equipment. It is absolutely not a thing with digital solid-state gear. If you pretend to “hear” it, it’s in your head.

Just watch some superhero movie. It’s both far more entertaining and far more feasible.

Doing any kind of comparison without at least matching volume exactly is an absolutely useless exercise. That said, Rose doesn’t sound any worse than your Denon. Neither does it sound any better.

#11

The BobWire XLR 1 is “transparent” (also measured by Amir) and you only need one, because you need only (on the left side) one XLR input for your NAD and set then the bridge mode.

Your pre is in this case the RS151 or (switched to RCA in) the Denon.

But what I would prefer, is a better PreAmp like the mentioned Primare.
Here you you will use:

  • RS151 (fixed volume) → XLR → Primare A1
  • Denon Zone 2 (or if available tapeout) with fixed volume → Cinch → Primare A3 and set here variable volume (volume control on Primare) or:
  • Denon PreOut → Primare A3 and set here fixed volume (volume control on Denon)

The Primare will show you (this I’ve for example with an Oppo 105d XLR out with max volume) if if you’ve an overload. So you’ve to decrease here (the Rose has here a lot of different settings) perhaps the voltage output from the RS151.
With the Primare you can also set for each input the gain (and balance) and so you can make a real ABX test and also in “normal” hearing sessions it’s fine to have for all inputs the same volume level.

#12

I have a Hifi Rose RS250A and I connect it to a PrimaLuna EVO 300 hybrid integrated amplifier with Audioquest RCA cables and my speakers are Whaferdale Elysian 4, connected with Audioquest cables, and the sound is wonderful (I always clarify this, I never connect to the internet, for me it is a DAC with a display to navigate an external USB 3.0 hard drive and listen to my music)

I’m about to replace it with an RS151, I’ve already ordered it from my trusted dealer.