Just pulled the trigger on the RS250 and wanna hear your feedback. Currently I have the Lumin D2 streamer, but I am not happy with their wolfson chipset. Found this RS250 pretty nice design and it has a touch screen and hdmi…etc. I wonder how good it sounds with the ES9038 Q2M(ESS) Chipset.
Also can I add an external DAC on the top of the RS250?
Yep, I use an RME ADI-2 FS DAC and it’s all good.
I heard good review on the RME ADI-2 FS. But without it, the stock ESS Chipset from RS250 is not good? I am more into bright frequency not hash. I should say more clarity when hearing the ride cymbal (in classical music)
How does the stock ESS from RS250 vs RME ADI?
In order to use RME DAC, do you use RCA interconnect from Rose to the RME?
I suggest using your RS250’s own DAC first and upgrade down the road.
I doubt RME will be significantly better tho.
True that. I will spend time listen to the RS250 first. Thanks Tom
U R welcome! I’m sure you won’t be disappointed! 
Happy listening!
Can’t wait to get it next week. Don’t get me wrong, my Lumin D2 is a good streamer. But this RS250 i like the touch screen and HDMI to TV lol. More features.
You own one right? How do you like it ?
I like it a lot. But it is my first streamer so the bar wasn’t too high.
The touch screen is a big plus, not to mention the video capabilities.
Would like to know how it compares to your Lumin D2 as transports.
Right now, I have my Lumin D2 connected to my McIntosh C52 preamp. Using pure silver coaxial digital cable. Just to bypass the DAC from Lumin. The wolfson chipset from the Lumin is not bad at all. Just I prefer the ESS chipset, for some reason I feel their sound is more crisp. Some people don’t like it, I guess we all have different taste. The pure silver coaxial digital cable is very sharp and details. https://www.moon-audio.com/silver-dragon-digital-cable-v1.html
I also have my XLR cables connected to it from my C52 to the Lumin D2, so I can do sound comparison between DACs.
The only thing lack from RS250 is no balance output. I wish they had that.
Just like you said the big screen is a big plus. I total agree with that.
Lumin is just a streamer, that’s all. Nothing special. I was going get the Lumin T2 but the features from RS250 just quite attractive for the price.
I was deciding between Lumin U1 mini and RS250 and ultimately chose RS250.
I could use RS250 as a preamp whereas U1 mini is transport only.
And there is no comparison with the screen.
hahaha I hear you. I want to play with the touch sceen.
I barely use the touch screen anymore, just the remote app or the nice little remote control it comes with 
I know, always fun to play around at the beginning. Remote app will be nice. Hope they deliver mine next week soon.
The RME DAC is significantly better, and is connected via optical cable. I did much testing. Lot of good things about the RS250, though I mainly see it a streaming device, plus a good radio, wrapped up in a nice presentation.
If pushed, I’d keep the RME DAC before the RS250. Though I have no plans on changing.
I am sure RME is a good DAC, I have seen lots of good review. In which way you think it is significantly better. As for sound, does it have better bright high frequency, I mean bright but not harsh, more clarity.
But you can still use the RS250 as a streamer and use RME as a DAC right ?
What chipset does the RME use ?
Give the ESS Chipset a try. It´s well implemented, founding on a linear power supply & Femto Clock. I came from naim uniti series; the RS 250 initially was a only a test, but it outperfomed the naim device so clear that i sold it and kept the RS250. More clarity and resolution in the highs; more defined and leaner base is what made the difference to the naim.
Nice, mine will arrive this Wednesday. Gotta test it out. I wonder what chipset does the Naim unti using.
Its a PCM-1791A, but also uses a SHARC Architecture (ADSP 21489) for filtering.
Not too familiar with the PCM-1791A, Myself I really like the ESS. My McIntosh C52 is using the 9016 I believe, it sounds pretty good already. Just little disappointed with the Wolfson from the Lumin, I guess my D2 is the lowest model, they won’t put in the ESS chip in there.