Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Easy-to-use, responsive touchscreen allows for direct selection of functions, and can display video
- Able to stream and play back video, which will be of value for people who want an easy way to connect a media player to a HDTV, and it supports 4K video output
- Excellent sound quality with a clean and precise output
- Supports a wide range of digital audio and video from multiple sources
- The Rose Connect app is stable, natural to use, and looks great, making it easy to perform basic control functions
Product Considerations
- The sound quality, while excellent, is a little bit on the clinical side
- The remote control isn't great, and some found the Rose OS Android dialogue boxes baffling
- The built-in Tidal app can be hit and miss, and YouTube videos don't always like being skipped drastically forward
- Not the most powerful amplifier, and the bass response is not deep and punchy
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Naim Uniti Atom and Cambridge Audio Evo, the RS201E may be comparable but is unique in several ways, being more of a media player
- Vs Naim Uniti Atom, the on-screen interface is one of its strongest features and it was not far behind the Naim in that regard
- Vs Bluesound NODE, the NODE has a more robust sound, but it may be too warm sounding for some—while the RS201E is far more neutral sounding when used as an amplifier
- Vs NAD M10 and QUAD Artera Solus, the RS201E is a little smaller which helps it to look bespoke
- Vs Vincent Audio SV-1000, the bass response of the RS201E is more like Filet Mignon (leaner, cleaner, tight, precise) compared to the SV-1000's ribeye steak (nice, fat, juicy bass)
Takeaway: The RS201E is a versatile streaming system with a unique touchscreen interface and impressive sound quality that offers lots of value. It is a great option for users who want an easy-to-use, all-in-one system that can handle both audio and video playback.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
RS201E
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Size: 278 x 231 x 85 mm
- Weight: 2.3kg
- OS: Android 7.0 (Nougat)
- Maximum output: 100W
- Speaker impedance: 4~16 Ω
- Display: Wide view 8.8" multi touch screen
- Network: Ethernet 10/100/1000 BASE-T, WiFi (802.11 b/g/n/a/ac) 2.4Ghz/5Ghz Dual Band
- Bluetooth: 4.0 (AD2DP SINK, AVRCP)
- Input power: AC100-240V, 50/60Hz
- Output power: DC 24V, 5.0A
- Standby power: <0.5W
Description
RS201E is the HiFi Network Media Player that provides High Quality Sound, Ultra High Pixel Stream together with various type of Multi Media services based on HiFi Design Expertise and ROSE platform. Create your own Another Class Station with RS201E.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Hifi ROSE products are distinguished by their unusually large, high-resolution touchscreen displays, offering a visually engaging and intuitive user experience.
- They blend high-end audio performance with 4K video playback capabilities, accessible through the display and external HDMI output, catering to both audiophiles and videophiles.
- The brand often incorporates innovative, in-house-developed technologies such as "Class AD" amplification using GaN FETs, and advanced power supply designs.
- Hifi ROSE offers users a degree of speaker configuration and equalization options not commonly found, even among other high-end audio brands.
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Avg. Product Price
$1,001-$2,500
Used For Sale
28
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
124
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
7
Founding Year
2017
Our take on the brand
HiFi ROSE is a digital source brand known for its large touchscreen displays, including a 12.6-inch screen on their RS520 streaming amplifier and an 8.8-inch screen on their RS201E streamer. They're a rising star in the hifi world, quickly earning awards and recognition for offering near high-end performance at a much more accessible price point. This Korean brand has rapidly gained popularity and regularly appears on annual best-of lists from prominent reviewers, establishing itself as a strong competitor in the industry.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
Industry leading intuitive touch panel interface and 4K video support, which allows you consume content in a new and immersive way without sacrificing audio quality.
What's your approach to customer support?
We have a dedicated service and tech support team. Our sales reps are also trained on supporting the line.
We always encourage the dealer to be involved in the support process since many of the issues can be resolved at the dealer level. Having the dealer involved also provides an opportunity for them to learn how to resolve more common issues. We are also happy and available to assist end users who reach out to us directly.
The best course of action is to reach out to your dealer and alert them of an issue. If your dealer is unable to resolve the issue, they can reach out to their rep or our support team for assistance. If they do not have a dealer, our support team is available via email at [email protected]
Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm CST.
Our goal is to respond to support issues within 1 business day. If a product is deemed to be defective within the first 30 days of receiving the unit, we will usually offer to replace it.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
- Led Zeppelin-Black Dog Live - New York 1973 -4K (Youtube)
- (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay feat. Jack Johnson | Otis Redding 50th Anniversary (Youtube)
- Forever - Mildlife
What other products pair best with yours?
McIntosh, Luxman, Pass Labs
From our interview with
Josh Rudner
.
Brand Page
Used
HiFi ROSE
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
HiFi ROSE
RS150B
4995
4995
/
7
Reviews
HiFi ROSE is a digital source brand known for its large touchscreen displays, including a 12.6-inch screen on their RS520 streaming amplifier and an 8.8-inch screen on their RS201E streamer. They're a rising star in the hifi world, quickly earning awards and recognition for offering near high-end performance at a much more accessible price point. This Korean brand has rapidly gained popularity and regularly appears on annual best-of lists from prominent reviewers, establishing itself as a strong competitor in the industry.
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Product Strengths
- Excellent build quality, with a chassis machined from a solid block of aluminum, giving it a premium feel and minimizing vibrations and noise
- Features a large (14.9-inch), high-definition touchscreen LCD that is visually striking and user-friendly for accessing various functions
- Delivers a big and energetic sound with clarity, good tonality, solid bass, and a sense of musical scale and occasion
- Has a visually satisfying and easy-to-use app that works well, giving access to settings, Qobuz, Internet radio, podcasts, and more
- Offers a multitude of digital inputs and outputs, including I2S, providing flexibility for connecting to different devices and future upgrades
Product Considerations
- The remote is made of cheap plastic
- The touchscreen attracts fingerprints
- The sound might be too lively—energetic for some listeners' taste
- Some users might find the initial learning process a little steep due to the numerous features
- There is a bug that changes the time on the clock to an hour earlier than it really is
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- As a streamer, the HiFi Rose RS150B surpassed the Lumin U1, which had been the reviewer's reference
Takeaway: The HiFi Rose RS150B is a versatile and well-built streaming DAC that offers excellent sound quality and a range of features, making it a great value for those seeking a modern hifi experience. The large touchscreen and user-friendly app add to the enjoyment of using this device.
Video review
Our take on the brand
HiFi ROSE is a digital source brand known for its large touchscreen displays, including a 12.6-inch screen on their RS520 streaming amplifier and an 8.8-inch screen on their RS201E streamer. They're a rising star in the hifi world, quickly earning awards and recognition for offering near high-end performance at a much more accessible price point. This Korean brand has rapidly gained popularity and regularly appears on annual best-of lists from prominent reviewers, establishing itself as a strong competitor in the industry.
Product Page
Product Page
HiFi ROSE
RS250A
2695
2695
/
4
Reviews
HiFi ROSE is a digital source brand known for its large touchscreen displays, including a 12.6-inch screen on their RS520 streaming amplifier and an 8.8-inch screen on their RS201E streamer. They're a rising star in the hifi world, quickly earning awards and recognition for offering near high-end performance at a much more accessible price point. This Korean brand has rapidly gained popularity and regularly appears on annual best-of lists from prominent reviewers, establishing itself as a strong competitor in the industry.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Superb and well-made appearance, featuring a high-quality aluminum chassis and integral aluminum cutting-processed case
- Rich and involving sound with a gentle emphasis on the midrange, providing a full-bodied and almost cosseting delivery
- Voices and instruments are the center of what it does
- ROSE OS provides an innovative musical experience, offering 4K high-definition video playback via HDMI, access to RoseTube, podcast access, radio broadcasts, CD playback, and CD ripping, making it a versatile multimedia hub
- Upgraded ESS Sabre DAC chip (ES9028 Pro) delivers higher audio quality, supporting up to PCM 32-bit/768KHz and Native DSD512
- Genuinely flexible spec, functioning as a network player, DAC, and pre-amplifier with versatile connectivity options
Product Considerations
- Slightly quirky app, with some aspects deliberately designed to involve the remote or touchscreen, and the app reads an external music library as folders, so it won't automatically unpack them to present a list of albums
- HDMI ARC is missing
- Analog input impedance is a relatively low 3.2k ohms, which might make the low frequencies sound a little lightweight with tubed source components
- Music was accessed on a QNAP NAS by downgrading the server's networking to SMB1, something QNAP advises against on security grounds
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bluesound Node X: The entire soundstage widened, the clarity of the vocals increased significantly, the detail elevated—the layers of music were beautifully intertwined and separated simultaneously
- Vs HiFi Rose RS250: The RS250A features an enhanced ES9028 8-Channel PRO DAC chip, delivering even higher audio quality compared to the RS250 (ESS 9038 Q2M — Single Stereo Design), new 100MHz Femto oscillator and a new HiFi Rose in-house made discrete op-amp based output stage
Takeaway: The HiFi Rose RS250A is a versatile and well-built streamer that provides a rich and engaging sound experience, combined with unique features like 4K video output and RoseTube. It is a great option for those seeking a high-performing all-in-one device to enhance their audio and video setup.
Video review
Our take on the brand
HiFi ROSE is a digital source brand known for its large touchscreen displays, including a 12.6-inch screen on their RS520 streaming amplifier and an 8.8-inch screen on their RS201E streamer. They're a rising star in the hifi world, quickly earning awards and recognition for offering near high-end performance at a much more accessible price point. This Korean brand has rapidly gained popularity and regularly appears on annual best-of lists from prominent reviewers, establishing itself as a strong competitor in the industry.
Product Page
Product Page
Ferrum
Wandla
2933
2933
/
16
Reviews
Ferrum Audio, a Polish hifi brand, stands out for its unique HYPSOS power supply that combines switching and linear designs for better performance, and its OOR headphone amplifier's rare quad-mono configuration that easily drives demanding headphones like the Hifiman Susvara. Their Wandla DAC features custom digital filters developed with HQ Player and uses a proprietary ARM-based platform called SERCE to reduce signal paths, both uncommon features in DACs.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Unique features and impressive performance in a compact form factor
- Exceptional build quality
- Larger, responsive, and intuitive touchscreen UI
- Considered by one reviewer to be the best sounding DAC they have heard under $3,000
- Genuinely neutral and lifelike sound signature, without compromising resolving capability
Product Considerations
- Expensive, at $2,800 or 2,800 euros, which is a significant investment
- Limited display viewing angles, due to using a TN panel instead of an IPS, VA, or OLED
- Hypsos power supply is a subtle upgrade, not necessarily worth the extra cost unless already owning other Ferrum products
- Stock power supply is not as good as the Hypsos
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Gustard X18, Wandla lacks the sterile presentation, offering a more genuine neutral sound
- Compared to EverSolo DAC Z8, Wandla is closer to a true neutral sound signature and overall more realistic sounding
- Compared to Holo May KTE, Wandla was happily trading blows on outright soundstage size, and resolution was pretty much on par
- Compared to Chord Dave, Wandla provides similar sound and performance at a more attractive price
- Compared to Rockna Wavedream Signature, Wandla has similar liquidity and refinement but at a fraction of the price
Takeaway: The Wandla is an impressive DAC focused on sound quality, offering a number of unique features and customizability options. It is a great option for those looking for high end sound in a small package.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Ferrum Audio, a Polish hifi brand, stands out for its unique HYPSOS power supply that combines switching and linear designs for better performance, and its OOR headphone amplifier's rare quad-mono configuration that easily drives demanding headphones like the Hifiman Susvara. Their Wandla DAC features custom digital filters developed with HQ Player and uses a proprietary ARM-based platform called SERCE to reduce signal paths, both uncommon features in DACs.
Product Page
Product Page
Weiss
DAC204
3495
3495
/
12
Reviews
Weiss Engineering is a Swiss hifi brand known for its DACs that incorporate advanced DSP features like room correction and vinyl emulation, which are uncommon in other high-end DACs. Their products are praised for their precision and clarity in sound reproduction, with users noting their ability to make every track sound natural and balanced.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Precise, accurate, and musical sound, delivering what the disc or file was created to sound like
- Excellent jitter suppression, getting the most out of digital sources
- Versatile, it can be used as a digital format converter
- Weighty, full-bodied—tape or vinyl-like—sound
Product Considerations
- The stock power supply can be improved with a higher quality 6 to 9 volt supply or the Weiss PSU-102
- High-resolution sampling frequencies via USB of 352.8 and 384 are down sampled to half their value at 176.4 and 192
- May be a bit too harsh, even for some systems
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Some reviewers preferred the Weiss DAC204 to the Chord Dave due to impressive detail and holographic 3D imaging, although the Weiss is not as sharp or dynamic
- The DAC204 is considered to be on the same level of sound quality as the Chord Hugo 2 and Chord Cutest
- The DAC204 sounds just like the 501, despite being significantly less expensive and lacking the DSP, preamp, display, and remote control features
- The Weiss DAC204 is more open, dynamic, and punchy, while the Meitner is all about the midrange with beautiful and rich vocals
- The Weiss DAC204 brought more of everything making music sound more present, more physical, and more engaging in comparison to the AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt DAC
- The main difference noted between the Weiss and the Totaldac d1-unity was one of body and weight
Takeaway: The Weiss DAC204 is a compact and versatile DAC that delivers high-end sound quality. A good fit for those who want a DAC that provides natural, realistic reproduction and accuracy without extra features.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Weiss Engineering is a Swiss hifi brand known for its DACs that incorporate advanced DSP features like room correction and vinyl emulation, which are uncommon in other high-end DACs. Their products are praised for their precision and clarity in sound reproduction, with users noting their ability to make every track sound natural and balanced.
Product Page
Product Page
What competes at this price?
iFi
NEO Stream
1299
/
Released
2022
Fusing the NEO iDSD's award-winning DAC with our proprietary network streaming technology, the NEO Stream becomes a high-resolution digital audio hub, designed for enthusiasts.
iFi Audio specializes in portable hifi audio players, offering compact DACs and headphone amplifiers for audiophiles seeking quality sound on the go. The brand also provides affordable audiophile gear, making quality hifi audio accessible to more people.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Fantastic sound quality and usability for the price
- Easy to set up and use
- Includes the OptiBox, which improves sound quality via optical Ethernet connection
- Streams hi-res files and DSD without converting to PCM first
- Has a custom DAC that sounds phenomenal
Product Considerations
- There can be occasional lag when switching songs
- No hardware remote is supplied
- The screen is on the smaller side and may be difficult to see at a distance
- The NEO Stream is not an all-in-one media hub, as it doesn't have any other inputs aside from network and USB storage, and it doesn't work as a DAC for other sources
- No Bluetooth capability
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Bluesound Node, the iFi NEO Stream has a larger, more organic sound and a wider soundstage
- Compared to the Cambridge Audio CXN V2, the Cambridge has S/PDIF inputs (coaxial and optical) like the NEO, but includes a Type-B USB input for its DAC, and also has balanced XLR stereo outputs, but lacks the iFi's more advanced networking connectivity
Takeaway: The iFi NEO Stream is an impressive streaming DAC. It offers great sound quality, multiple features and makes enjoying high-quality streamed audio easy.
Video review
Our take on the brand
iFi Audio specializes in portable hifi audio players, offering compact DACs and headphone amplifiers for audiophiles seeking quality sound on the go. The brand also provides affordable audiophile gear, making quality hifi audio accessible to more people.
Product Page
Product Page
Cambridge Audio
CXN100
1099
/
Released
2024
We shouldn't have favourites but CXN100 is something else. Hi-fi specialists and our listeners alike loved its predecessor CXN V2 – just wait until they hear this. CXN100 will instantly transform a classic hi-fi stack into a system with a bright future. And because it's a network device, CXN100's firmware can be upgraded remotely, via our StreamMagic app, to receive the latest services.
Cambridge Audio pioneered the use of toroidal transformers in power amplifiers, a technology now widely adopted by high-end audio companies. The brand stands out for using premium amplification technology across their product range, from Class A/B amplifiers in their wireless earbuds to Hypex Ncore modules in their EVO series, while maintaining accessible price points between their CX and Edge product lines.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Clean, precise, and articulate sound with ample detail
- Expansive and open soundstage
- StreamMagic control app is stable, logical, user-friendly, and easy to navigate
- Features AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Bluetooth, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, and internet radio
Product Considerations
- Loses a touch of its predecessor's sonic solidity and warmth
- Does not include HDMI ARC
- Bluetooth is only compatible with SBC and AAC codecs
- Can be provoked by careless system-matching with bright, treble-centric equipment
- Volume is not controlled through the StreamMagic app
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- CXN100 has improved clarity, precision, and spaciousness, but is missing some of the CXN (V2)'s sonic solidity and warmth, compared to the Cambridge Audio CXN (V2)
- CXN100 trades off detail functionality to offer a user experience that is polished and genuinely pleasurable, and is able to take less than stellar recordings and avoid sounding strident or aggressive a little better than the EverSolo DMP-A6
- CXN100 has better low end and a slightly greater perception of space, compared to the Cambridge Audio MXN10
- CXN100 has a more natural quality to vocals with better realism and less fatigue, compared to the Bluesound Node
Takeaway: The CXN100 is a user-friendly and feature-rich music streamer that provides clear and detailed sound. It is an excellent choice for those seeking to add modern streaming capabilities to a classic hifi system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Cambridge Audio pioneered the use of toroidal transformers in power amplifiers, a technology now widely adopted by high-end audio companies. The brand stands out for using premium amplification technology across their product range, from Class A/B amplifiers in their wireless earbuds to Hypex Ncore modules in their EVO series, while maintaining accessible price points between their CX and Edge product lines.
Product Page
Product Page
AURALiC
Altair G2.1
2439
/
Released
2021
ALTAIR G2.1, an all-encompassing digital and analog source component, provides abundant capabilities to the performance-oriented G2.1 Series. Combining every function available from AURALiC into the ultra-quiet G2.1 chassis, ALTAIR G2.1 is perfect for the most demanding music lover. Whether it's a high-res title from an online streaming service, a file on a NAS drive, or an LP on a turntable, ALTAIR G2.1 will deliver exquisitely rendered, dynamic music, from almost any source.
AURALiC is a hifi audio brand focusing on streaming audio sources with user-friendly interfaces. The company uses its proprietary Lightning DS music playing app to provide easy integration and customization of your music library.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Solid digital sound, good authority, solid bass, and a weighty sound with good scale
- Excellent clarity, very good timing, and a very good soundstage
- Outstanding build quality—solidly made and near indestructible
- Versatile unit that can become the hub of the digital audio world
- Clean and effortless digital processing
- Connectivity options
Product Considerations
- The Lightning DS app is only available for iOS
- The 4-inch non-touch screen is adequate, but not exceptional
- When written instructions feature on the screen, the words can be small and difficult to see
- The alphabetical order of the albums is not followed when used with an external hard drive
- Some reviewers felt a need for a high-end turntable setup, as the analog input feeds directly to the analog output stage—bypassing the digital stage altogether
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs NAD M10 V2: The Altair offers a step up in sound quality
- Vs AURALiC Aries G1: The Altair G2.1 chassis is a significant upgrade with an internal copper sub-chassis, tuned feet, and a solid steel base
Takeaway: The AURALiC Altair G2.1 is a versatile and well-built streaming DAC preamplifier that offers a clean and detailed sound. Comprehensive features and excellent sound quality make it a great choice for audiophiles looking for an all-in-one solution.
Video review
Our take on the brand
AURALiC is a hifi audio brand focusing on streaming audio sources with user-friendly interfaces. The company uses its proprietary Lightning DS music playing app to provide easy integration and customization of your music library.
Product Page
Product Page
PS Audio
Stellar
2199
/
Released
2023
Stellar DAC brings wonderful imaging and musicality to any high-performance system at a price you can afford. Stellar DAC embodies everything PS Audio has strived for in high-value electronics. From its clean and rich tonal balance to its wickedly wonderful imaging, this DAC can be the centerpiece of your music system.
PS Audio is a well-known American brand with a strong following among enthusiasts, due in part to the educational YouTube videos produced by its founder. The company offers products across a wide range of categories, each developed with input from top engineers, resulting in unique sonic signatures. PS Audio’s offerings frequently appear on top 10 lists from professional reviewers, with many products recognized for their high-quality performance and innovative design.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Top-tier packaging and sound quality
- Detailed, modern, and holographic sound
- Excellent soundstage
- Remote control can also manage PS Audio DAC
Product Considerations
- Requires about an hour to reach peak performance when powered on using the back switch
- Soundstage might not suit all tastes, which is subjective
- Top-end extension is slightly less extended
- Bass is slightly less punchy
Takeaway: The Stellar Gold Preamp is a great choice for those seeking a modern and transparent sound with good dynamics in their audio system and a smooth, non-aggressive presentation. It especially shines with recordings that have a good soundstage, making the performance feel convincingly real.
Product Strengths
- Great, ear-pleasing sound
- Easy to use, especially with the remote control
- Offers loading presets and custom loading options for moving coil cartridges
- Low noise performance
- Clarity of sound
- Good depth of field for its price
Product Considerations
- Sensitive to grounding, ultra-low capacitance cables, RF, and other interference
- Does not have adjustable resistive and capacitive loading for fixed-coil/high-output cartridges
- Can have a high-pitched noise if cables are not oriented well
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Stellar sounds more interesting than the Cambridge Audio Alva Duo
- The Stellar is not as bright as the iFi iPhono3 Black Label
- Bass extension and grip are not as powerful as more expensive phono preamps
Takeaway: The Stellar Phono Preamplifier delivers great sound and an enjoyable user experience with its flexible settings and remote control, making it a worthy addition to any vinyl lover's system. Its clarity and low noise floor allow listeners to fully appreciate the nuances of their record collection.
Product Strengths
- High damping factor for bass control and plenty of headroom
- Near-perfect linearity, low distortion, and high efficiency
- Neutral and colorless tonal balance
- Combines speed and power with a bass-range grip
Product Considerations
- Lacks the epic bass extension and hard-core slam of more expensive amplifiers
- Top end lacks the effortless harmonic bloom of other amplifiers
Takeaway: The PS Audio Stellar S300 is an excellent choice for a powerful, clean, and neutral-sounding amplifier. It offers high performance and finesse, delivering dynamic contrasts and excellent bass control, making it a worthwhile addition to any high-end audio setup.
Product Strengths
- Musicality and cohesiveness to music
- Nice drive with solid dynamics and 3-D imaging
- Delivers impressive drive with solid dynamics and 3-D imaging, accompanied by nice depth in both soundstage and low frequencies
Product Considerations
- I2S input is not HDMI compatible
Takeaway: The PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC/Preamp is a great choice for an DAC/Preamp that makes music easy and joyful to listen to. This product allows for great flexibility with its full-featured options and can become the centerpiece of a hifi system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
PS Audio is a well-known American brand with a strong following among enthusiasts, due in part to the educational YouTube videos produced by its founder. The company offers products across a wide range of categories, each developed with input from top engineers, resulting in unique sonic signatures. PS Audio’s offerings frequently appear on top 10 lists from professional reviewers, with many products recognized for their high-quality performance and innovative design.
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Gustard
DAC-R26
1649
/
Released
2022
Gustard is a hifi brand known for integrating advanced clocking systems in their DACs, including atomic clocks, and developing custom digital filters that bypass standard ESS Sabre filters for a more tailored sound. The brand stands out for offering high-end audio performance at relatively affordable prices, with products featuring modular designs that allow for easy upgrades and customization.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Natural and organic timbre with rich and vibrant overtones, offering a remarkable sense of realism
- Stands out as a highly musical DAC within its category, while maintaining an impressively competitive level of technical performance
- Exceptional build quality, made of thick aluminum, ensuring durability and a sleek appearance
- Almost inaudible noise floor, remaining dead silent and free from any hint of distortion
- Wide range of digital inputs, and an integrated streamer, offering versatility and convenience
Product Considerations
- The LCD screen can be difficult to read from a distance greater than 20-30 cm
- The embedded streamer can experience occasional interruptions and buffering issues when streaming high-resolution files
- Some reviewers experienced small hiccups when skipping songs using the internal streamer
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Chord Qutest: Has a bigger soundstage, equally sweet highs, much fuller tone timbre and a more muscly bassline—sounding more lifelike
- Vs Ladder Schumann: Gustard R26 hits with more clarity and speed, with a darker background, and an even deeper soundstage
Takeaway: The Gustard DAC-R26 is a musical and technically impressive DAC with excellent build quality and versatile features, including a streamer, making it a great choice for a top-notch audio experience. The natural sound and engaging performance create a lasting impression.
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Our take on the brand
Gustard is a hifi brand known for integrating advanced clocking systems in their DACs, including atomic clocks, and developing custom digital filters that bypass standard ESS Sabre filters for a more tailored sound. The brand stands out for offering high-end audio performance at relatively affordable prices, with products featuring modular designs that allow for easy upgrades and customization.
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