HiFi Rose RS150

Korean HiFi Company HiFi Rose Launches in North America

Seoul-based audio company HiFi Rose is officially launching its products in North America, including Canada and the U.S.

A brand of CITECH, a global IT company that also makes and markets Kiosk brand interactive retail kiosks and Set-top Box, a brand that specializes in set-top box design consultation, the parent company was established in 1967 and began listing on The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) in 1989. The audio arm, HiFi Rose, includes products that operate via intuitive touchscreens, including streaming media players and a pair of network streamers, the RS150 and the RS201, which are high-performance and professional high-fidelity models, respectively.

The flagship model in the line is the RS150, which is now shipping in North America. Selling for an MSRP of US$3,999, the AV streaming device is designed for audiophiles and passionate music lovers, says HiFi Rose, allowing them to listen to tunes from high-definition music services, USB flash drives, hard drives, media players with digital optical outputs, and over Wi-Fi or through an Ethernet connection. Roon Ready certification is pending.

The RS150 features Asahi Kasei top-shelf DAC chip AK4499EQ, offering “low noise, low distortion, ultra-high-resolution audio, and a rich analog presentation,” says the company. Enjoy audiophile formats like DSD through PCM 32bit/768kHz and native DSD512 processing. The RS150 supports MQA full decoder technology.

Equipped with a linear power supply that minimizes noise and an audiophile-grade FEMTO clock, the RS150 comes housed in a chassis made from a solid block of high-purity aluminum that HiFi Rose says maximizes thermal efficiency and offers vibration-free operation.

Onboard apps include podcasts and radio from across the globe via familiar services, including YouTube and TIDAL. Music, video, and podcasts are controlled either by the 14.1” touchscreen or the Rose Connect app. Meanwhile, a CD ripping function allows you to rip and save audio files to SSD, USB HDD, or microSD card.

HiFi Rose RS150

As the centre of a two-channel theatre system, the RS150 makes it easy to access films stored on flash and hard drives, as well as NAS and other shared network drives, up to 4K x 2K @60 frames per second. The RS150 supports DLNA and Airplay in network.

The RS150 fits well in a traditional audio rack or stands on its own on a shelf, a desktop, or countertop. It measures 17” W x 12.45” D x 4.85” H.