HiFi Rose RS451 High Performance Network Streamer

Two Converters, So Neither Job Waits

Most streamers with a headphone socket run it off the same converter as the line output. The RS451 fits two ES9027PRO chips instead, one for the pre-out and one for the headphone amplifier.

Each has its own power supply and its own ground, so the analog paths never meet. Nothing you do at the headphone jack can reach the signal going out to your amplifier.

Distortion across the unit measures 0.00025%. The ES9027PRO itself offers up to 124dB of dynamic range, and the RS451 wires its eight channels as two parallel groups of four for stereo.

Four Amplifiers for One Pair of Headphones

The headphone stage uses four amplifier chips in parallel. That keeps control over headphones above 600 ohms, where a single amplifier would start to lose its grip on the drivers.

Slew rate is 1,300 volts per microsecond, which is how quickly the output can follow a sudden transient. Balanced XLR and 4.4mm outputs are both fitted for the headphones themselves.

On the analog side sits the ROSE NRA filter. It keeps frequency response linear all the way down into the deep bass, rather than letting the bottom of the range quietly roll away.

Flagship Architecture in a Desktop Case

The processor is the RK3588, the same eight-core part fitted to the flagship RS151. It offers four times the processing power of its predecessor and eight times the graphics performance.

Memory is 8GB with 32GB of storage, and the media library now handles more than a million titles. An 8.8-inch IPS touchscreen fronts it, sized for a desk rather than a rack.

What Reviewers Are Saying

The Absolute Sound has reviewed the RS451 on video, covering its dual-converter layout, the high-power headphone stage, and how much of the flagship RS151's engineering has come down to it.

Who Is This Streamer Best For?

• Headphones are your main system — a dedicated converter and four parallel amplifiers hold control over 600-ohm headphones that most streamers merely make audible.
• You listen on speakers too — the pre-out has its own converter and its own supply, so the headphone stage cannot color what reaches your amplifier.
• Your desk is the listening room — an 8.8-inch touchscreen and a compact chassis put flagship architecture where a full-width component would not fit.
• Your network is noisy — fiber optic Ethernet and USB, plus an external master clock input, are unusual to find at this size.
• You want balanced headphone outputs — XLR and 4.4mm are both fitted. Pair the RS451 with our headphones.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Headphones plug into the balanced XLR or the 4.4mm jack on the front. The pre-out runs to a power amplifier or an integrated, using the second converter entirely.

The network arrives over fiber optic or standard Ethernet, or over Wi-Fi. A BNC input takes an external master clock, and the ROSE Connect app controls everything.

Pairs Well With

Building around the RS451? Here are some great companions:

• Headphones: Balanced XLR and 4.4mm are waiting — see our Headphones.
• Power Amplifier: For the pre-out — see our Stereo Amplifiers.
• Bookshelf Speakers: Sized to a desktop system — see our Bookshelf Speakers.
• Interconnects: A clean run to the amplifier — see our Interconnect Cables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why two converters?

One serves the pre-out and one the headphone amplifier, each with its own supply and ground, so the two analog paths stay completely apart.

Will it drive high-impedance headphones?

Four amplifier chips in parallel keep stable control above 600 ohms, with a slew rate of 1,300 volts per microsecond.

What does it measure?

Distortion of 0.00025%, with the ES9027PRO offering up to 124dB of dynamic range across eight channels.

What formats does it handle?

PCM to 32-bit and 768kHz and native DSD512, with seven digital filters to choose between.

Which services does it support?

AirPlay, DLNA, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music, RoseTube and internet radio.

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

The Absolute Sound reviews the RS451:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about headphone amplifier power, dual-converter designs, or desktop streaming systems? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.