HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer: Why I’m All-In (From Fred’s Chair)

Sept 25, 2025. – FRED Parvey

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A Bit of History — The Originals

I’ve been around this hobby long enough to remember when “streaming” meant a laptop on a shaky coffee table and a USB cable draped across the rug like a tripwire. When Joe launched Wolf Audio Systems a decade ago, we walked into rooms full of curious, skeptical, occasionally grumpy analog die-hards who were positive that nothing good could come from “computers in hi-fi.” They were wrong (mostly). What they were right about is that early streaming felt like work. Too many hoops, not enough music.

 

Fast-forward to today, and along comes the HiFi Rose RS451 network streamer—a compact, no-nonsense, thoroughly modern box that takes all the fun of the big Rose units and squeezes it into something I can happily put on a desktop or rack without rearranging furniture. If you told me ten years ago that this is what streaming would look like, I would’ve saved myself a few migraines.

 

From the very first swipe on that wide 8.8” touch screen and the first twist of the big volume knob, the RS451 feels like a straight-up upgrade path for everyone—rookies, recovering analog purists, and seasoned streamers alike. And yes, it’s officially landing this fall; the UK sees September arrivals and U.S. dealers (including us) are cueing up October deliveries and installs. 

 

Many of you are here for the details. I'll turn it over to Joe for those. 

What makes the RS451 different? (From Joe's chair)

Short answer: brains, brawn, and better ergonomics.

 

Dual ESS ES9027PRO DACs split the duties—one chip feeds the line-level pre-outs, the other is dedicated to the headphone stage. That separation is not just brochure poetry; it keeps the signal paths clean and lets the headphone amp breathe. The headphone section itself uses four individually driven amplifiers and will happily run tough, high-impedance cans without breaking a sweat. Translation: whether you’re driving planar magnetics at the desk or a full rack in the big room, this little Rose has headroom. 

On the I/O side, the RS451 looks like a Swiss Army knife: HDMI eARC for TV integration, 4K HDMI video out, USB audio in/out (up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512), optical and coax both directions, balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs, and a line-level analog input for that phono stage or tape deck you refuse to quit. Wireless and network are covered with Bluetooth 5.4 (aptX), Ethernet, AirPlay, DLNA/UPnP, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, plus native TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music, Rose Radio and RoseTube in ROSE OS (built on Android 12). 
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HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier

HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier

$3,295.00

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HiFi Rose makes our favorite music streamers on the market. 

The RS451 is a brand new unit from HiFi Rose featuring the latest software + DAC technology from ESS. It also features a super impressive headphone amplifier with balanced outputs perfect for the avid headphone enthusiast. 

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And of special note: three front-panel headphone outputs—full-size XLR balanced, 4.4mm balanced, and 6.35mm single-ended—so you can rotate through your headphone stable without adapters that inevitably vanish into the sofa. It’s an ergonomic flex that shows somebody at Rose actually listens the way we do.

Smaller, quicker, and frankly, slicker

If you’ve lived with the bigger Roses (RS150/151) or the RS250A, the 451 will feel familiar but more compact and quicker on the draw. Under the hood is an upgraded 8-core CPU (big.LITTLE A76/A55 with Mali-G610 graphics) and 8GB of LPDDR4X memory, which keeps ROSE OS snappy, even with fat local libraries. There’s internal storage expansion via a 2.5” SATA SSD bay and three USB 3.0 ports for external drives—no more playing Tetris with your files. 

 

Rose also moved more of the heavy lifting into their DPC (Digital Processing Core) and NRA low-noise filtering chain—trickle-down from the flagship line—which tightens clocking and lowers jitter so you get that clean, un-hashy treble and punchy bass we chase. This is grown-up digital. 

The remote—yes, it’s new, and yes, it matters

Confession: I’ve never loved Bluetooth remotes on streamers. They pair until they don’t, they wander off, they need coaxing. Rose clearly heard the same groans, because the RS451 ships with an IR remote—no pairing, wider angle and range, and it “just works,” like your favorite preamp’s wand. (If you’ve tracked Rose’s trajectory, you saw this shift begin with RS151. Good call then, even better now.) 

 

Is the app still king? Absolutely. ROSE Connect on iOS, Android, and PC/Mac is still the best way to manage libraries, curate playlists, edit metadata, and handle multi-service hopping from the couch. But when I just want volume-mute-next, an IR clicker beats a glass slab every time. 

Ease of use: tablets, phones, PCs—all invited

If you can unlock a phone, you can run an RS451. The 8.8” touch display is your quick view for artwork, transport, and setup; ROSE Connect handles deeper control from the sofa, the desk, or the shop. Want to rip a CD with a USB drive, toss FLACs on an SSD, or just open Qobuz and disappear for three hours? Pick your poison. I’ve watched a lot of interfaces come and go—this one’s coherent and confidence-inspiring, which translates to you listening to more music. 

Okay, Fred—who’s it for?

Short answer: more people than you think.

 

The Analog Loyalist – You love your table and your tubes and you think “bits are bits.” Welcome. The RS451 is the gateway I wish we’d had in 2015: plug it into your preamp like a transport, use HDMI eARC for TV, or run XLR straight into your integrated. Keep your ritual; add the entire recorded universe. (As I always say: audiophiles include the folks who don’t realize they’re audiophiles—until it’s too late.)

The Head-Fi Tinkerer – You’ve got three pairs of cans and strong opinions about pads. The RS451’s dedicated headphone DAC and amps plus those front-panel jacks are a desk-dweller’s dream. 

The Streaming Convert – Already in deep with Roon/TIDAL/Qobuz? The 451 is a worthy upgrade from “dongle DAC + app” rigs: lower noise, steadier clocking, a better UI, and fewer cables.

The New Listener – If you’re building your first real system and want compact + complete, start here.

 

And yes, the adoption curve has changed. The same people who ten years ago told us streaming would never catch on now have Roon profiles deeper than my record catalog. Reviewers and magazines that used to treat digital as a side quest now run full recommended lists of high-end streamers; mainstream coverage assumes streaming is the default front end. The tide turned because the experience got good. 

Price, pairings, and “is this entry level?”

The HiFi Rose RS451 lists at $3,295. No, that’s not entry level—and that’s okay. If you want a compact, reference-quality front end that doubles as a serious headphone rig, that price makes sense once you tally what it replaces. Want a turnkey system? Pair the RS451 with Triangle Capella Active speakers and you’ve got a complete, app-driven hi-fi that comes in under $7k (RS451 $3295 + Capella $3499 ≈ $6794). Or go wallet-friendly with Triangle Borea BR03 BT actives or Triangle AIO Twins for a tidy $4k system that still throws a big stage. We’ve got all three on our site if you want to dig in. 

Why network streamers won (and what the RS451 nails)

Back when we started Wolf, the friction was real—drivers, formats, fussy control apps. There was resistance, but there was also curiosity. Over the last decade, access to lossless catalogs exploded, control apps matured, and hardware like this Rose reduced noise and jitter enough to satisfy the pickiest ears. Modern streamers aren’t just “computers with DACs”—they’re purpose-built transports with quiet power, tight clocks, and optimized software. That’s why today’s analog purists often add a streamer for discovery and convenience, then stick around because the sound clears that emotional bar. If you want mainstream primers on how streamers are used and why they matter, the broader press now treats them as essential hi-fi components. 

 

The RS451 distills that progress into one box: fewer boxes, fewer headaches, better sound, more music. For a lot of people, this will be the component that tips the balance from “I’m curious” to “I can’t go back.”

Key specs (the “show me the bits” section)

DAC: Dual ESS ES9027PRO (separate chips for pre-out and headphone stages)

Headphone stage: Four individually driven amps; front-panel XLR (balanced), 4.4mm (balanced), 6.35mm (single-ended)

CPU / OS: 8-core (A76/A55) with Mali-G610; Android 12 (ROSE OS)

Memory / Storage: 8GB LPDDR4X; 2.5” SATA SSD bay + 3× USB 3.0

Digital I/O: USB audio in/out to 32-bit/768k & DSD512; optical & coax in/out; HDMI eARC input; 4K/60 HDMI video out

Analog I/O: Balanced XLR + RCA line-level outs; RCA line input

Networking / Wireless: Gigabit Ethernet; Bluetooth 5.4 (aptX); AirPlay, DLNA/UPnP, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect; native TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music, Rose Radio/Tube

Display: 8.8” IPS capacitive touch screen

Remote: IR remote included (no pairing hassles)

Form factor: 430 × 337 × 92 mm; 7 kg; max 20W power draw

Final word from Fred

If you’ve been streamer-curious, the HiFi Rose RS451 network streamer is the one I’d hand you and say, “Go try this for a week.” If you’re already in the pool and running an older box, the 451’s separated DAC architecture, faster platform, and smarter ergonomics will feel like a meaningful step up. And if you’re a vinyl-first listener, consider this your gateway—not away from records, but into everything else you’ve been missing.

 

Want one? Pre-order the RS451 at House of Stereo and let’s build something you’ll want to listen to every night.

Experience the HiFi Rose RS451 at House of Stereo

Step into the next era of hi-fi with the Hi-Fi Rose RS451 network streamer, landing this October at House of Stereo. Compact yet mighty, the RS451 packs a gorgeous touchscreen, dual ESS DACs, serious front-panel headphone outputs, HDMI eARC, and a brand-new IR remote that just works. Come in for a hands-on demo—bring your favorite playlist, try the new remote, and hear why the RS451 is the modern hub your system’s been waiting for.

What Makes HiFi Rose So Special?

HiFi Rose blends audiophile-grade hardware with a smartphone-easy, touchscreen-first interface (ROSE OS). Their streamers pair serious DAC architectures and low-noise engineering with big, responsive displays that make browsing music feel effortless, not techy. The new RS451 is a perfect example: dual ESS DACs (separating line and headphone paths), a powerful next-gen platform, and broad I/O including HDMI eARC, balanced XLR outs, and three front-panel headphone jacks—all in a compact, beautifully machined chassis. Add native apps (Qobuz, TIDAL, Apple Music), Roon Ready support, and even 4K video/RoseTube, and you get a modern hub that’s both luxurious and dead simple to live with.

Interested in HiFi Rose?

Visit us in Jacksonville or online at houseofstereo.com and discover why these speakers are as rare in performance as they are in number. Your music deserves no less.
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier
HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier

HiFi Rose RS451 Network Streamer / Headphone Amplifier

2,500+ Verified Reviews!
$3,295.00 
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Streaming and eARC and Headphones, oh my!

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Q + A: HiFi Rose & the RS451

What exactly is a “network streamer,” and how is it different from a “music server”?

A network streamer pulls music from online services (TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music), local network storage (NAS), or attached drives and sends it to your DAC or speakers. A server often adds built-in storage/metadata management and may serve files to multiple endpoints. Many modern units blur the line; the RS451 is a streamer/DAC with storage expansion and app-level library tools.

What makes the RS451 a step up from RS250A or older models?

New dual-DAC architecture, bigger CPU/RAM, front-panel multi-jack headphone outputs, IR remote, and Android 12-based ROSE OS improvements. It’s also more compact than the big RS150/151 rigs while keeping the serious I/O.

Does it work with my phone/tablet/PC?

Yes—ROSE Connect on iOS/Android plus Rose Connect for Windows/Mac. Control playback, services, library, settings—the whole shebang—from your device.

Can I use the RS451 with my TV?

Yep. HDMI eARC lets you route TV audio into the RS451 for better sound and control volume via the TV remote.

Is the new remote actually better?

In practice, yes. IR remotes don’t need pairing and generally offer better range and angle. Rose pivoted away from the older Bluetooth remotes on the flagship line; the 451 continues that trend.

I’m a headphone person. Good match?

Absolutely. Separate DAC for the headphone path + strong multi-amp design and balanced outputs equals control, headroom, and low noise for demanding cans.

What can it play?

Pretty much everything people actually stream today: Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music, Roon, AirPlay, DLNA/UPnP, Bluetooth 5.4 (aptX); PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512.

Is this overkill for a first hi-fi?

Not if you want something that won’t bottleneck you later. Pair it with Triangle Capella actives for a killer, compact ~$6.8k–$7k rig, or go Borea BR03 BT/AIO Twins around $4k all-in.

How “future-proof” is it?

Given the CPU/RAM headroom, modular storage, and software cadence on ROSE OS / Rose Connect, you’re covered for the foreseeable future—both in services and formats.

Where can I read the official specs and get one?

Check the HiFi Rose RS451 page and pre-order at House of Stereo. We’ll make sure it’s set up right and singing on day one.