HiFi Rose RS250A Network Streamer
Category: other
A Hub, Not Just a Streamer
The RS250A streams, converts and controls volume, which makes it a streaming DAC and preamplifier in one small box. It also has analog inputs, so a phono stage or a tuner can join the same system.
There is a second job it quietly does well. If you own a converter you love that has only S/PDIF inputs, the RS250A works as a network bridge and gives that old DAC a modern front end.
An 8.8-inch touch panel runs the whole thing. Rose OS brings Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, internet radio, RoseTube and 4K video to it, and the RS250A is Roon Ready as well.
The Chip, the Clock and the Op-Amps
Conversion is an ESS SABRE ES9028PRO. It is an eight-channel design, using ESS's HyperStream II architecture and its Time Domain Jitter Eliminator. This is the part that separates the RS250A from the RS250 before it.
Behind it is a 100MHz femto oscillator. After it comes a discrete op-amp output stage that HiFi Rose designed rather than bought in. Together they handle PCM to 32-bit and 768kHz, and native DSD512.
MQA files decode fully, and video plays out over HDMI in Ultra HD 4K. For a box this small, very little seems to have been left out just to make it all fit.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Stereophile made the RS250A a Recommended Component for 2025. John Atkinson called it "an elegant-looking, well-engineered, multipurpose component," and "Highly recommended both as a streaming DAC and as an all-in-one hub for a high-end audio system."
Andrew Everard of hifinews.com found it "Packed with detail and real insight into what's being played," with "an even-handed approach with all kinds of music," and called it "a hugely involving listen."
Who Is This Streamer Best For?
- You want fewer boxes — streamer, converter and preamplifier in one chassis means a power amplifier and speakers complete the system.
- You own a converter you love — the RS250A works as a network bridge into an older S/PDIF-only DAC, so streaming arrives without replacing what you already rate.
- You still play records — analog inputs let a phono stage feed the same system, so the turntable is not left out of the digital hub.
- Space matters — an 8.8-inch touchscreen and a compact chassis fit a desk or a shelf where a full-width component would not.
- You watch as well as listen — 4K video plays out over HDMI alongside the music. Finish the system with our stereo amplifiers.
How Does It Connect to Your System?
Run the analog outputs to a power amplifier or an integrated. The RS250A has its own volume control, so a separate preamplifier is optional rather than necessary.
The network arrives over gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Analog inputs take a phono stage, and the digital outputs feed an external converter if you would rather use one.
Pairs Well With
Building around the RS250A? Here are some great companions:
- Power Amplifier: The volume control is already here — see our Stereo Amplifiers.
- Phono Preamplifier: For the analog inputs — see our Phono Preamplifiers.
- Bookshelf Speakers: Sized to match — see our Bookshelf Speakers.
- Interconnects: A clean run to the amplifier — see our Interconnect Cables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which converter is inside?
An ESS SABRE ES9028PRO, an eight-channel chip using HyperStream II and ESS's Time Domain Jitter Eliminator.
How does it differ from the RS250?
An upgraded converter, new op-amps and a new digital clock, plus a choice of black or silver.
What formats does it handle?
PCM to 32-bit and 768kHz, native DSD512, and full MQA decoding.
Can I use it with my existing DAC?
Yes. It works as a network bridge into a converter with only S/PDIF inputs, which is a neat way to modernize a DAC you already like.
Is it Roon Ready?
Yes, alongside native Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, RoseTube, YouTube, Apple Podcasts 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
Kronos AV walks through the RS250, the model this one replaced — the chassis, screen and software are the same, with the converter, op-amps and clock upgraded here:
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Learn More
Want to learn more about streaming DACs, network bridges, or adding streaming to a system you already own? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.
