HiFi Rose RS151 High Performance Network Streamer Gen 2 - Black

Ten Decibels of Noise, Gone

The RS151 replaces the RS150B's ES9038PRO with the newer ES9039PRO, and the signal-to-noise ratio goes from 121dB to 131.4dB. That is roughly ten decibels of noise removed from underneath the music.

The reason is not just a newer chip. All eight of the converter's channels now run on their own rather than sharing circuitry. That is what tightens the stereo image and widens the gap between channels.

Around it sit Rose's own DPC processing module and a Femto clock, neither of which the RS150B had. Together they cut jitter and hold timing accuracy where the converter needs it.

Four Times the Processor, and a Bigger Screen

The eight-core CPU is four times faster than the one it replaces. Memory has doubled to 8GB and storage has quadrupled to 32GB. It now runs Android 12, so the interface keeps up with you.

The touchscreen grows from 14.9 inches to 15.4, and it is Full HD now rather than merely large. Album art, video and library all get the resolution that size deserves.

Connections gained ground too. HDMI eARC brings uncompressed television audio in. Trigger sockets in and out control the rest of the rack, and Bluetooth is now version 5.4 with aptX for better wireless sound.

Who Is This Streamer Best For?

• You listen late and quietly — a 131.4dB signal-to-noise ratio puts the noise floor somewhere you will not find it, which is where low-level detail lives.
• You are upgrading from an RS150B — a faster processor, a bigger Full HD screen, DSD512 upsampling and eARC are the four changes you will notice on the first evening.
• You would rather skip the preamp — balanced XLR and RCA outputs switch between fixed and variable, so the RS151 can drive a power amplifier directly.
• Your television should sound better — HDMI eARC carries uncompressed audio from the set, and 4K video passes back out with multichannel passthrough.
• Your rack should switch on together — trigger in and out handle that. Finish the system with our stereo amplifiers.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run the balanced XLR outputs to your amplifier if it takes them, or the RCA pair if it does not. Choose fixed output for a preamp, variable to drive a power amplifier directly.

The network comes in over gigabit Ethernet or the Wi-Fi dongle. HDMI handles eARC in and 4K out, and coaxial and AES/EBU carry PCM to 384kHz and DSD128 to an external converter.

Pairs Well With

Building around the RS151? Here are some great companions:

• Power Amplifier: The variable outputs can drive one directly — see our Stereo Amplifiers.
• Integrated Amplifier: If you would rather keep a volume control — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Floorstanding Speakers: Worth matching to a source this good — see our Floorstanding Speakers.
• Interconnects: Balanced XLR keeps the path balanced — see our Interconnect Cables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which converter is inside?

An ESS ES9039PRO, using ESS's fourth-generation Hyperstream architecture, with Rose's DPC module and a Femto clock alongside it.

What changed from the RS150B?

A newer converter, 131.4dB signal-to-noise instead of 121dB, a four-times-faster processor, a 15.4-inch Full HD screen, DSD512 upsampling, eARC and trigger sockets.

What formats does it handle?

PCM to 32-bit and 768kHz, native DSD512, PCM-to-DSD512 conversion, and MQA certification.

Where can the music live?

An internal 2.5-inch SSD, MicroSD, external USB storage, or a NAS on your network.

How is it powered?

A built-in toroidal linear power supply, inside a precision-machined solid aluminum chassis that damps vibration and blocks interference.

What is the warranty?

Two years from the original date of purchase, covering manufacturing defects. Unusually, it stays with the device, so it remains active if the unit changes hands.

See It in Action

Kronos AV takes the RS151 through what it can do:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about signal-to-noise ratio, HDMI eARC, or driving a power amplifier from a streamer? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.