HiFi Rose RS250A

Audio/Video Section

All-In-One Aluminum Housing: The housing of the HiFi RS250A network streamer, which made with high-durability 6000 class aluminum material, is manufactured by an all-in-one process in which all four sides are produced as one part. The all-in-one manufacturing process is the most ideal method to fundamentally block vibrations that may occur between separated parts, significantly reducing noise waves that can affect sound quality.

Linear Power Circuit: The HiFi RS250A network streamer employs a linear power circuit design that provides a clean reliable power supply to the unit's CPU an audio output circuits. The fully linear power supply with shielding applied blocks out noise that may be transmitted to its sensitive high-quality DAC for the best possible sound reproduction.

ES9028PRO DAC: The HiFi Rose RS250A network streamer is equipped with ESS technology's ES9028PRO DAC (digital-to-analog converter) chip. The ES9028PRO has extremely low total harmonic distortion with low noise and high dynamic range, making it one of the industry's best DAC chips. The maximum sampling frequency and bit rate of the ES9028 is 32-bit/768kHz with DSD512 and MQA supported. In addition, it is equipped with ESS technology's exclusive jitter canceler and discrete OP Amp to provide exceptional wide bandwidth, stereo separation, and audio clarity.

• MQA: The integration of MQA technology enables you to playback MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording. MQA is a revolutionary end-to-end technology that captures and delivers master quality audio in a file that's small enough to stream or download. MQA lets you hear your streamed digital music files exactly like the way the artist intended you to hear it when it was approved in the studio.
• Native DSD: DSD is high-resolution digital audio format that uses a single bit to deliver a high resolution signal. Instead of sampling the information several thousand times a second, this single bit samples 2.8 million times a second to generate the audio signal. The result is still a Hi-Res audio signal that clean and pure. The RS250A supports DSD64 (2.8MHz), DSD128 (5.6MHz), DSD256 (11.2MHz), and DSD512 (22.4MHz).
• PCM: The HiFi Rose RS250A also supports linear PCM audio files with a bit depth of 16- / 24- / 32-bits, and a sampling frequency of 8Hz to 768kHz.
• Other File Types: Other supported audio file type include AAC, ALAC, AIFF, WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, APE, DFF, DSF.

Media Ports: The HiFi Rose RS250A network streamer is outfitted with a USB-B port, USB-A 2.0 port, USB-A 3.0 port, and SATA 3.0 slot for playback of select audio and video files from computers, USB MSC devices, HDDs, and SSDs. Compatible audio files include MQA, PCM (up to 32-bit/384kHz) , DSD (up to 11.2MHz), WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, APE, DFF, and DSF. Compatible video files include ASF, AVI, MKV, MP4, WMV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 H.263, H.264, H.265, and more (up to 4K).

• USB-B (Audio Only): The rear-panel USB-B port allows you to connect a Windows PC (7-up) or Mac (OS X) computer for playback of your stored digital music library on the RS250 network streamer. A separate USB audio driver will need to be installed on your Windows PC. A mac computer will not require a separate USB driver.
• USB 2.0/3.0 (Audio/Video): The RS250A is outfitted with two rear-panel USB-A ports for playback of audio and video files from a connected USB device; there is one USB-A 2.0 port and one USB-A 3.0 port. Both USB-A ports support connection of a USB MSC (mass storage class) device - up to 512GB, or HDD (hard disk drive) - up to 10TB. The USB MSC device or HDD must be formatted in NTFS or FAT32. Some HDD's will require an external AC power supply.
• SATA 3.0 (Audio/Video: The HiFi Rose RS250A allows you to connect an external SSD (Solid State Drive) to its bottom-mounted SATA 3.0 slot for playback of audio and video files. It can support SSD's up to 4TB and 7mm tall. Four screws are included and a screwdriver is needed for installation of an external SSD (sold separately - not available at Crutchfield).

Note: The USB-A ports do not support media playback from an Apple iOS or Android OS device.

Optional CD Drive: Connecting the optional HiFi Rose RSA780E CD drive (sold separately) to one of the RS250A's USB-A 2.0 ports allows you to rip Audio CD's to a connected USB MSC device or HDD (hard disk drive).

HDMI Video Out: The HiFi Rose RS250A's rear-panel HDMI 2.0 out will transmit a video signal from the RoseTube (YouTube client), a USB MSC device, HDD (hard disk drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive) to your connected TV or projector. Compatible video files include MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 H.263, H.264, H.265, VC-1, VP9, VP8, MVC (up to 4K @ 30fps or 60fps).

Note: The HDMI output supports video transmission only and does not support audio transmission (it is not ARC/eARC compatible).

Digital Inputs & Outputs: The RS250A network streamer is equipped with an optical (toslink) digital input and output, as well a coaxial (SPDIF) digital input and output. Both digital inputs allow connection of a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray player. The digital outputs let you connect an external DAC, AV receiver, or soundbar. Both digital inputs and outputs support up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM audio (not compatible with Dolby Digital, DTS, or other multichannel surround formats).

Analog Line-Level Input: The HiFi Rose RS250A features one analog stereo RCA line-level input for connection of an external source device with an analog output. The network streamer does not have a dedicated Phono input. If you want to connect a turntable, you'll need an external phono preamp (sold separately - see Accessories Tab) or a turntable with a built-in preamp.

Stereo RCA Preamp Output (Fixed or Variable): The HiFi Rose RS250A is equipped with a set of stereo RCA preamp outputs to connect your AV receiver, integrated amplifier, or power amplifier. You can select Variable or Fixed for the stereo RCA preamp outputs.

3.5mm Headphone Output: The HiFi Rose RS250A network streamer features a front-panel 3.5mm (1/8") headphone jack for connecting a set of headphones so you can privately listen to your favorite music. You can enjoy better sound quality by selecting the output (16, 32, 50, or 100 ohm) that best matches your headphones' specifications. The unit's preamp outputs are muted when headphones are connected.

Network & Bluetooth Integration

Wired or Wireless Network Connection: The HiFi Rose RS250A network streamer offers a wired (Ethernet) or wireless (WiFi) network connection to your router and ISP (internet service provider). The RS250A features a rear-panel Ethernet (RJ45) LAN jack for a hardwired connection to your network router. It also features built-in 2.4GHz/5GHz dual-band WiFi (802.11ac) for a wireless connection to your network router.

Online Entertainment Services: The HiFi Rose RS250A network streamer gives you access to a variety of online video and music services - including RoseTube (YouTube client), Rose Podcasts, Tidal, Qobuz, Apple Music, and Internet Radio.

• RoseTube: RoseTube is a YouTube client developed by the Rose development team using the YouTube API provided by Google. Unlike YouTube, you can watch content without any advertisements before watching the content, and it provides a list of recommended contents suitable for HiFi enthusiasts. And regardless of the video quality, the highest quality audio tracks are always selected for playback, allowing you to enjoy YouTube in high quality.
• Rose Podcast: Rose Podcast (provided by iTunes) offers the most popular channels that are organized by topic. You can create your own subscriptions, playlists and favorite content.
• Rose Radio: You can listen to a variety of internet radio channels from USA to Germany with a Favorite (preset) feature, using Rose Radio.
• Tidal: Tidal is a global streaming service that offers millions of songs in high-fidelity CD sound quality. Tidal has two pricing tiers; either $9.99 or $19.99 a month. Both pricing levels allow you to access Tidal 's entire music library. The $19.99 tier has the added benefit of high-fidelity sound at CD-level quality.
• Qobuz: Qobuz offers the biggest catalog of HiFi and Hi-Res albums in the world, both for new releases and specialized genres. For hundreds of thousands of albums, Qobuz includes all the information you need to recreate the appeal of a real CD - the names of musicians, producers, lyrics (everything you need to know to appreciate your favorite albums). Qobuz offers MP3, CD, and Hi-Res quality subscriptions.
• Apple Music: Apple Music is a subscription-paid streaming service with over 100 million songs ad-free. Easily find your favorite artists, discover new music, listen to curated playlists, and get exclusive artist content and interviews.

Spotify Connect: The integration of Spotify Connect will enable Spotify Premium users (subscription required) to instantly select and wirelessly stream music to the RS250A network streamer from within the Spotify app (Apple iOS or Android). Spotify is a digital music service that gives you on-demand access to one of the largest music libraries in the world with millions of songs available.

Apple AirPlay: AirPlay lets you stream your favorite songs directly from your Apple iOS (4.3.3+) device and iTunes library (10.2.2+) on your Windows PC or Mac computer to the HiFi Rose RS250A, over your home's wireless network connection. From your Apple iOS device you are able to stream stored music on your device, downloaded music apps, and music on your iCloud to the RS250A network streamer. From your Windows or Mac you can stream your stored iTunes music library on your computer to the RS250A; you can even download Apple's free Remote App onto your compatible iOS device to browse and control playback functions of the music stored in your iTunes music library on your computer that is being streamed to the network streamer. With AirPlay you also get to see song/artist information and album art via the RS250A's front-panel LCD touchscreen.

Note: The RS250A is currently not compatible with Apple AirPlay 2.

DLNA Compliant: Through a wired or wireless network connection, the HiFi Rose RS250A can be used as a DLNA Digital Media Renderer and play back a variety of audio and video files from a Windows PC, DLNA server, and NAS (Network Attached Storage) device.

• Audio Files: Compatible music files include MQA, PCM (up to 32-bit/768kHz), DSD (up to 22.4MHz), WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, AAC, AIFF, ALAC, APE, DFF, and DSF.
• Video Files: Video file playback is also supported; including ASF, AVI, MKV, MP4, WMV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 H.263, H.264, H.265, and more (up to 4K).

Roon Ready: Roon is a feature rich music library and playback application that compiles all the music files available to your network and makes them easily available to play across the HiFi Rose RS250A and other Roon enabled audio devices. Roon manages digital music files (including FLAC, WAV,, and DSD) collected on hard drives and networked storage. It can also access your Apple Music and iTunes library, as well as optionally integrate with the Tidal and Qobuz music streaming service. Roon is available for mobile, laptop or desktop devices. When you open the Roon app, it will display your complete audio library together with its metadata and artwork along with the RS250A network streamer and all other Roon enabled devices. Simply select the music you wish to play and the RS250A or Roon device in which you want to hear it on.

Note: To use Roon you will need a Roon Core running on the same network as the HiFi Rose RS250A. The Core is media server software that runs on your computer, NAS, or player (sold separately) located on the network within your home.

Bluetooth 4.2: The HiFi Rose R250A features built-in Bluetooth 4.2 with support for wireless music streaming (A2DP) and control (AVRCP). You'll be able to wirelessly stream stored music, music apps and other audio content on your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer to the RS250A network streamer. You'll also be able to control basic playback functions Play/Pause, Previous/Next Track, and Volume Up/Down from the included remote. In addition, song/artist/album information (no album art) will be displayed on the RS250A''s front-panel LCD screen.

Note: You can pair multiple Bluetooth source devices with the RS250A network streamer, but only one source device can be connected and used for playback at a time.

Intuitive User Interface

8.8" Capacitive Touchscreen: The HiFi Rose RS250A network streamer features a full-color 8.8" TFT capacitive touchscreen LCD panel for an intuitive user interface with simple operation. In addition to simple touchscreen operation, the 8.8" LCD panel will playback HD video from RoseTube, USB, and SSD. The front-panel 8.8" LCD also displays song/artist/album information (including album art) from select online music services and your network music collection. The LCD touchscreen will even display time, date, and weather. There are also push-button controls on the front-panel network streamer that operate Power On/Off and Volume Up/Down.

Remote Control: The HiFi Rose RS250A comes with a Bluetooth remote controller for wireless operation of the network streamer. Because the remote is Bluetooth (and not IR), you don't need to point the remote directly at the RS250A network streamer. The Bluetooth remote control has to be initially paired and connected to the RS250A network streamer.

Note: The remote only provides basic control of the RS250A; you'll need the RoseConnect Premium app (see below) for complete control of the network streamer.

RoseConnect Premium App: The RoseConnect Premium App (for Apple iOS 15.0+, Android OS 8.0+, Windows 7-up, and Mac OS X) allows you to conveniently setup and operate the HiFi Rose RS250A network streamer from your compatible Apple iOS device, Android OS device, Windows PC, or Mac computer.