Thread: I Need A Streamer With Transformers or $5000

Have you looked at the new HiFi Rose RS130?
Not exactly "mastering grade" but very very good for about $5k

HiFi ROSE RS130

The offerings from Lumin (U1/U2) and Aurender (N150/200) are also pretty good options.
Also very interested in knowing why you are so particular about the transformers.

Good luck with your search!



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Interesting request. First, let’s define “streamer”. Are you looking for a product that receives data from your Ethernet (wired or WiFi), and outputs that file to your existing DAC via USB, SPDIF, or I2S? That’s my assumption.

There is no analog segment in this type device to utilize a transformer. I have seen transformers used for isolation purposes, or in a linear power supply. I had a DAC which used a transformer in the PSU, small transformers at the SPDIF, and I/V transformers between the DAC board and analog output board, then big output transformers. DAC though, which you are not wanting.

There are some custom PCs which will work as streamers, which have linear power supples with transformers (external PSU, and the Taiko with internal PSU). Perhaps that’s what you are seeking?

Many less expensive streamers can be upgraded with an external linear power supply containing a transformer.

you can keep your streamer, I'll take the 5k !

Originally Posted by Nikhil

Have you looked at the new HiFi Rose RS130?
Not exactly "mastering grade" but very very good for about $5k

HiFi ROSE RS130

The offerings from Lumin (U1/U2) and Aurender (N150/200) are also pretty good options.
Also very interested in knowing why you are so particular about the transformers.

Good luck with your search!



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Nikhil, thanks! for your post. The RS130 features looks fantastic and now at the top of my list. I was waiting for them to come out with another/"2nd generation" box since first learning of the brand a year ago.

I've downloaded their manual to study. External clock in! I can use my Grimm Dac clock, at least to try it. All kinds of other desireable features with this streamer; fiber optic, on board ssd, touch screen. Wow, really cool. Looks like just the ticket. Has a remote too! MQA only con (for me).

I see the RS130 has a dedicated ground post! And an actual easy reset button not some adult-proof pinhole. (pinhole is probably best, but, ugh)

I wonder how Rose keeps the noise out from that giant touch screen? If the screen is left on to see the cool meters, I guess they must be blocking the noise some how.

Does anyone have anything cautionary to say about Rose? The one thing I wonder about is Rose's attention to firmware and app updates. My current streamer (in signature) is very good and persistent about being on top of that, and quit active here on the A.S. boards and other boards too (Roon boards). It's going to be near impossible to top LM in terms of board presence.

ps. I need to give Mike a call.

I'd opt for something that has a slot for an optical transceiver along with the usual wired Ethernet input. All wired Ethernet inputs will be transformer coupled - its in the spec. S\PDIF and AES/EBU outputs are usually transformer coupled but you need to check with the manufacturer. USB Outputs are not transformer coupled and also bridge power and ground to your DAC so it matters a lot on how the manufacturer implements it and USB cables really matter as well. An in-bome audition is highly recommended for this reason.

Happy hunting!

> Does anyone have anything cautionary to say about Rose?

When I last looked at a Rose streamer, the app was only available for Android and iPad - not Windows, Mac, etc. It was decidedly clunky compared with BluOS.

Personally, I'm looking at the NAD M66 for streaming as well as DAC and pre in a single case.

Rose is new to the high end HiFi scene. Its parent company Citech has been around for awhile. Their stock is publicly traded. The parent manufacturers retail point of sale equipment so they have some serious IT chops.

Citech Co., Ltd
11F, 932 Yangjae-daero, Songpa-gu
Seoul, South Korea

HiFi Rose products are complicated HW/SW systems and there will be some teething pains.
They have a community for users - it would be worth understanding what owners are running into. But like any other community forum you only hear about people having issues.

This thing does a lot more than a simple streamer - it has 2 CPU’s and a GPU. It will stream 4K video via HDMI. Given all the complexity it would be great to see an objective review of how it performs. Haven’t found one yet.

Anyway, I think this is a cool and kind of disruptive product (ROON in a box w/DAC’s) from a large-ish company that, while new to audio, has been in business for over 50 years.

Tom’s note: Streamers at their core are really quite simple devices - taking Ethernet packet based data and reformatting it to S/PDIF, AES/EBU and USB serial data streams. Low power, low noise microprocessors can do this easily. There are very simple devices available that provide this capability. But they require software like ROON or LMS to operate. HiFi Rose removes all that complexity and provides a platform that can eliminate the need for a complicated IT infrastructure just to feed a DAC.

Originally Posted by W9TR

Rose is new to the high end HiFi scene. Its parent company Citech has been around for awhile. Their stock is publicly traded. The parent manufacturers retail point of sale equipment so they have some serious IT chops.

Citech Co., Ltd
11F, 932 Yangjae-daero, Songpa-gu
Seoul, South Korea

HiFi Rose products are complicated HW/SW systems and there will be some teething pains.
They have a community for users - it would be worth understanding what owners are running into. But like any other community forum you only hear about people having issues.

This thing does a lot more than a simple streamer - it has 2 CPU’s and a GPU. It will stream 4K video via HDMI. Given all the complexity it would be great to see an objective review of how it performs. Haven’t found one yet.

Anyway, I think this is a cool and kind of disruptive product (ROON in a box w/DAC’s) from a large-ish company that, while new to audio, has been in business for over 50 years.

Tom’s note: Streamers at their core are really quite simple devices - taking Ethernet packet based data and reformatting it to S/PDIF, AES/EBU and USB serial data streams. Low power, low noise microprocessors can do this easily. There are very simple devices available that provide this capability. But they require software like ROON or LMS to operate. HiFi Rose removes all that complexity and provides a platform that can eliminate the need for a complicated IT infrastructure just to feed a DAC.

In fact the Rose R130 that was being discussed is a simple "streamer transport" with no DAC and it's not yet Roon Ready. Rose has been around for 4 or 5 years at least, so is pretty well established.

The R150 that I had been looking at has a few great features I've not found on any other streamer, in particular its ability to access YouTube directly and to send its video content to a connected TV while processing the audio without resorting to TV or PC. And the clever part is, it does this ad free!

On the other hand, the used market is flooded with Rose stuff, so perhaps many people fall out of love with it.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

The Lumin U2 has a built-in linear power supply with Lundahl transformers. It also has a ground terminal, SFP optical input, and, a newly-designed “Direct-Coupled” USB digital audio output port specifically designed for connecting USB audio components, e.g. USB DACs.

I have one here for review and it's truly excellent. It would be my top recommendation for someone looking for a streamer in this price range.

In your review please include your views on the Lumin app. What platforms it can be used on, how intuitive is it, etc. If you need to resort to Roon, this would be useful to know as it would rule out Lumin for me, or any other brand that offers a poor control app. Thanks

You could also take a look at the Lumin UX1, since you don't need a DAC.

Tom

Originally Posted by XRS

Nikhil, thanks! for your post. The RS130 features looks fantastic and now at the top of my list. I was waiting for them to come out with another/"2nd generation" box since first learning of the brand a year ago.

I've downloaded their manual to study. External clock in! I can use my Grimm Dac clock, at least to try it. All kinds of other desireable features with this streamer; fiber optic, on board ssd, touch screen. Wow, really cool. Looks like just the ticket. Has a remote too! MQA only con (for me).

I had the RS 150B on trial two years ago and it was a fantastic piece of gear. Build quality was top notch and feature list was second to none. They had seemingly packed the 150B with every conceivable audio tech that one could possibly think of. My opinion was that I really would have liked it to be a pure network transport/streamer minus the DAC. Looks like they have listened to the feedback and the RS130 is exactly that. They have added a linear power supply with super capacitor, external clocking options and an upgraded LCD panel that looks great from all reviews available.

If you are looking for a negative - the only thing I could offer is that the Rose OS was a bit laggy on the 150B. They have upgraded the processing power of the 130 but I would suggest checking for that.



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Originally Posted by Nikhil

I had the RS 150B on trial two years ago and it was a fantastic piece of gear. Build quality was top notch and feature list was second to none. They had seemingly packed the 150B with every conceivable audio tech that one could possibly think of. My opinion was that I really would have liked it to be a pure network transport/streamer minus the DAC. Looks like they have listened to the feedback and the RS130 is exactly that. They have added a linear power supply with super capacitor, external clocking options and an upgraded LCD panel that looks great from all reviews available.

If you are looking for a negative - the only thing I could offer is that the Rose OS was a bit laggy on the 150B. They have upgraded the processing power of the 130 but I would suggest checking for that.

It's still a fantastic piece of gear and an incredible bargain for the sound quality, build quality, and feature set it brings to the table.

Originally Posted by Nikhil

I had the RS 150B on trial two years ago and it was a fantastic piece of gear. Build quality was top notch and feature list was second to none. They had seemingly packed the 150B with every conceivable audio tech that one could possibly think of. My opinion was that I really would have liked it to be a pure network transport/streamer minus the DAC. Looks like they have listened to the feedback and the RS130 is exactly that. They have added a linear power supply with super capacitor, external clocking options and an upgraded LCD panel that looks great from all reviews available.

If you are looking for a negative - the only thing I could offer is that the Rose OS was a bit laggy on the 150B. They have upgraded the processing power of the 130 but I would suggest checking for that.



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I think the lag was an issue with an older version of the app and not hardware related on the 150b. I have zero lag or delay with any interaction of the app/the unit. It's super responsive in my experience.