HiFi Rose RS150B Review: A Reference-Class Network Media Player

Introduction

The HiFi Rose RS150B is a reference-class network media player built for listeners who want a single elegant component to handle streaming, digital-to-analog conversion, and even 4K video. Its front panel is dominated by a high-definition LCD touch display that measures nearly 15 inches across, and there are no physical buttons anywhere on that face. Combined with a chassis milled from a solid block of high-purity aluminum, the result is a modern, substantial piece of hardware that feels as premium as it looks.

That design is not only cosmetic. The brand’s parent company was founded in 1954 building set-top boxes for television sets in Korea, and an audiophile executive within that company created a division dedicated to high-performance audio. The HiFi Rose line arrived in 2017, and the RS150B carries that heritage forward with premium circuitry, careful build quality, and a touch-first interface.

Inside, the RS150B runs a multi-core 64-bit ARM processor with 4GB of RAM on a custom HiFi Rose version of the Android operating system. That foundation means the platform can be updated over time as HiFi Rose adds new features through software.

Who This Product Is For

The RS150B suits listeners who keep large libraries of high-resolution music, whether those files live on a network attached storage device or on an external hard drive. An internal bay accepts a 7mm SSD up to 4TB, and there are USB 3.0 inputs plus an SD card reader on the rear, so the player can also serve as a self-contained music server.

It also makes sense for anyone assembling a high-end two-channel system who wants a streaming DAC with or without preamp capability. Because it can output Ultra HD 4K video over HDMI, it doubles as a flexible multimedia hub for a home theater setup when paired with an amplifier.

Main Strengths

At the center of the RS150B is ESS’s flagship ES9038PRO eight-channel DAC chip, a 32-bit design intended for professional recording consoles and audiophile equipment. It supports playback up to 768 kHz at 32 bits and includes a fully programmable FIR filter with seven presets selectable directly from the front panel display, so the sound can be tuned to taste.

Connectivity is unusually broad. There are six digital audio outputs: coaxial, optical Toslink, AES/EBU over digital XLR, an I2S DVI output, and an I2S RJ45 output, plus an HDMI port that outputs Ultra HD 4K video to a TV, projector, or home theater receiver. Inputs include a pair of unbalanced analog RCA jacks with variable output level, four digital inputs covering coaxial, optical Toslink, USB Type B audio, and AES/EBU over digital XLR, and an HDMI ARC input that passes signals from a television through the unit. An HDMI 2.0 output lets the player send audio straight to a home theater receiver.

The software side is equally considered. A built-in Rose app store keeps apps updated, and RoseTube offers a curated selection of high-resolution video with advertising removed. The HiFi Rose Connect companion app makes it easy for several people to sign into their own streaming accounts, such as Tidal or Qobuz, and control the unit from a phone. The RS150B is also Roon ready and can operate as a Roon endpoint.

Sound Quality and Listening Impressions

A linear power system shields the power supply away from the audio output circuits, which helps minimize electrical noise and distortion. In practice, the RS150B presents an extremely clear, highly resolute sound that reaches down into micro detail. More harmonics come through in instruments, which makes both high-resolution tracks and audio from 4K video sound natural and closer to a live performance.

Extended listening covered funk, rock, classical, EDM, and jazz, and the player handled all of it with composure. On a high-resolution version of Santana’s “Black Magic Woman”, the lead guitar had a tuneful sense of timing and rhythm, while bongos and organ floated well outside the speakers with holographic realism. A live 2012 recording of Crosby, Stills and Nash performing “Guinevere” revealed tiny harmonics in plucked acoustic guitar strings, with reverberation that suggested the character of the room where the performance was captured. That level of detail is what draws a listener deeper into a collection.

The player was evaluated in a medium-sized room with Martin Logan Renaissance ESL 15A electrostatic floorstanding speakers driven by an Audio Research Reference 75 vacuum tube power amplifier and a Reference 6 vacuum tube stereo preamp, and also paired with the HiFi Rose RA180 reference integrated amplifier for comparison.

Design, Build Quality, and Controls

The chassis is milled from a single block of high-purity aluminum and processed as an integral unit to reduce vibration and internal noise. It weighs slightly over 28.5 pounds and measures almost 17 inches wide, about 12.5 inches deep, and 5 inches tall, which helps with heat efficiency while limiting acoustic vibration. The RS150B is available in silver or black.

The nearly 15-inch capacitive touchscreen is effectively the entire control surface. The home screen shows a horizontal row of icons for music, video, title, clock, settings, and outputs, and the settings menu allows adjustments to display brightness, clock format, and the VU meters that appear during playback. Apps can be added, removed, and reordered from the main menu, much like arranging icons on a tablet.

Because there are no physical buttons on the front panel, day-to-day control happens through the touch display or the companion app. That approach keeps the front face clean and gives the RS150B the most modern look in the HiFi Rose range.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The RS150B is Roon ready and works as a Roon endpoint, but it is not a Roon core, so listeners who want one device to run Roon’s server software will still need a computer for that role. As a self-contained music server using the HiFi Rose Connect app, though, it behaves in a very similar way.

This is also a source component rather than an integrated amplifier, so it needs a power amp, a pair of active speakers, or an integrated amplifier to make sound. Its size and weight mean it deserves a solid shelf, and its premium positioning places it in the upper tier of streaming DACs. Finally, if tactile controls matter to you, note that everything here is handled through the screen or the app.

Buying Advice

Choose the RS150B if you want one component that covers streaming, DAC duties, preamp functions with variable output, and 4K video passthrough. Owners of large high-resolution libraries will appreciate the internal 7mm SSD bay, the USB 3.0 inputs, and the SD card reader, all of which make local collections easy to browse from the front panel or on a big screen.

The RS150B can also be paired with the HiFi Rose RSA780 CD drive to rip a CD collection directly to the unit, which is a practical option for listeners with shelves of discs. If your system is built around a high-end two-channel setup or a custom home theater with an amplifier, this player slots in as a flexible hub rather than a single-purpose streamer.

Conclusion

The HiFi Rose RS150B is one of the most flexible multimedia hubs for high-end audio and video, with reference-class sound quality, a wide range of expansion options, and one of the best user experiences available in a streaming DAC. For listeners who want a top-of-the-line network media player with or without preamp capability, it is a compelling centerpiece for a serious system.