A host of capabilities extend the value of the RS201E. You have native playback of PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, playback of DSD up to 256. The HiFi Rose environment gives you unlimited access to great content when you use high-resolution streaming services like TIDAL Masters and Qobuz. Additionally, Bluetooth, Apple Airplay 2, Spotify Connect, USB connections, and YouTube.
It is Roon Ready, and supports MQA full decoding technology. In this format, the master MQA file is allowed to be played back as intended. The most important thing however is how it sounds playing from lossless FLAC to compressed formats. The RS201E exceeds in its capability to play music.
The RS201E runs on a powerful six-core CPU and has a high-performance ESS SABRE DAC capable of 32-bit/384kHz resolution. Its high precision femto digital clock drastically reduces jitter distortion inherent in digital music by getting the timing of the streaming data very precise.
Crucial to its audio performance is it's quiet linear power supply. A 122dB signal to noise ratio allows low level detail to shine through. The RS201E also possesses a "Pure Path" amplifier with 50 watts per channel into 8 ohms. This provides the power to drive loudspeakers to reasonable listening levels (more if they are high efficiency) with clarity and punch. Its tonality is incredible, generating taut bass notes, while delivering a natural-sounding top end. Connect it with quality interconnects and speaker cables and you have a system capable of delivering a listening experience both satisfying and immersive.
The 8.8-inch touch screen can display colorful album art and music videos, and is capable of video playback too via the screen or HDMI output. The intuitive Rose Connect app allows you to play music and videos from local and network sources. Using the HDMI connection, you can watch video files in Ultra HD 4K quality on a large monitor.
Overall, the RS201E is an extraordinary, simplified system component that creates a satisfying, immersive experience. Easy to set up and operate, this is a network streamer that delivers superb sound and marvelous video capabilities. The RS201E also comes with a Bluetooth remote control for further control without a smart phone or tablet.
Being Roon Ready means that the HiFi Rose RS201E connects to Roon without any configuration, and bit-perfect audio is delivered from Roon to your network player. Together, Roon and HiFi Rose deliver the power, flexibility, and performance of networked audio, with easy setup and outstanding reliability.
On the back panel you have ample digital connections, plus an unbalanced analog preamp output for connection to an outboard amplifier should you need more power in the future.
There is also an RCA stereo analog input for connecting connecting an analog source such as a phono preamp/turntable combination.
The RS201E also has USB connections and a microSD card slot for local access to external digital music files. The RS201E also includes an internal bay on the bottom panel for adding optional SSD storage. The Hifi Rose RS201E will recognize drives up to 4TB.
Network
Audio input
Audio output
Media connection