My thoughts on the HiFi Rose 150B

@nadimjaber You’re right the Rose 150 would be great if it was a Roon Core that’s all it’s missing. If at all possible use the Is2 connector it keeps all the signals separate even your clock information, USB connections are always rough and sorry I have never used the USB on the Rose. The ARC is simply a normal ARC HDMI in that allows you to use your TVs A/V out to go through your stereo. The regular HDMI is simply an output 4k it looks great and sounds great as well.

Also the USB problem may be as simple as picking the I/Os to turn on and off on the Rose’s control section, I’m sure you’ve done that but just sayin’. Good luck.

@donavabdear Hi, I use my esoteric K01XD as an external DAC through its USB or Coaxial inputs. I don't have IS2 on my system. Coincidentally we have common elements in our audio systems: JL Audio F113 and the CR-1.

The Rose 150b when I use the USB IN does not allow the USB output, so I can only use the coaxial output but that prevents me from hearing DSD, not even via DOP. Unless there is some configuration that allows it. Although auditory memory is generally poor and for a short time, the memory remains in my brain when I put in my system, like Roon Ready, the Esoteric N05 (discontinued model) and how I substantially improved the SQ of streaming. I do not perceive that feeling by placing the Rose 150B. There are subtleties in the sound, but they are minor and nothing that justifies the investment of that device in my system for now. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong in the configuration of the device. Thank you for sharing your appreciations. I am very grateful to you for it, when you suggestion in the settings will be welcome.

You re not doing anything wrong, as far as how it sounds is concerned. I tried both the 250 and 150. It's meh to me. A few folks on here enjoy it due to the fact that you couldn stream from Youtube, and IIRC, Amazon as well. But is it much better than say w a RaspberryPi,  iFi Zen streamer or the SOtM Neo player? Not much.

Hello everyone. After spending a season with the Rose 150B for use as a streamer and not as a DAC, the conclusions are that it is a device that in that sense complies, but it is not really the function for which it is designed and to get the most out of it. If you have a good DAC it is not worth the investment, it is better to put it as an all-in-one device. When I put it in my Innuos chain (Zenitih + Phoenix USB), it gave problems when using its USB input, since in that mode it did not allow the use of its USB DAC output, but instead forced you to resort to its other digital outputs. It seems that the best use option is through its ethernet input. If I placed it between my two Innuos as a streamer, the results at the sound level did not present a particular variation, perhaps it could be said that it was a little better having the Phoenix synchronization clock just before the USB input of my Esoteric K01XD. 

In a sound test between streamer Rose and the Esoteric N05, both using the coaxial digital output and of course using the same power cable in both cases. The results were pretty obvious, the N05 was much better as a streamer. The SQ improved in every way, I don't know if this is due to the synergy of linking two Esoteric devices, but the difference in terms of the improvement of the SQ was unquestionable, clearer, more fluent music, more natural. The music played effortlessly enough in any kind of musical genre and sonic complexity that I proceeded to purchase an Esoteric N05 from my dealer before they ran out of stock. I am very clear that the N05, at the current price, is one of the most competitive streamers on the market and a wonder if you combine it with the Esoteric K series.

@nadimjaber

Thank you for your well thought out analysis. It is very helpful and interesting.