Master Fidelity Network Streamer, RS451
The RS451 is HiFi ROSE’s next-generation network streamer, integrating the brand’s advanced digital audio technologies. It inherits the high-performance architecture of the flagship RS151, while offering practical usability and space efficiency optimized for desktop audio setups. Equipped with a high-performance ES9027PRO DAC, the RS451 applies separate DAC circuits for both pre-out and headphone output, delivering refined, high-end sound tailored to each listening environment. The pre-out section is designed with precision DAC circuitry to integrate seamlessly into high-end audio systems, while the dedicated headphone DAC is paired with four high-performance amplifiers to achieve precise impedance matching, low noise, and powerful driving performance. The RS451 is a network streamer that strikes a finely tuned balance of performance, design, and usability. It sets a new standard for audio experiences from HiFi ROSE.
Features
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Advanced DAC Architecture
The ES9027PRO used in the RS451 is a high-end 32-bit, 8-channel DAC chip designed with ESS’s HyperStream® architecture, delivering precise performance optimized for Hi-Fi audio applications. It offers an impressive dynamic range of up to +124dB and a THD+N of 114dB, enabling delicate and clean sound reproduction. Supporting PCM up to 768kHz and DSD512, it ensures perfect compatibility with high-resolution audio formats. With seven built-in digital filters, users can fine-tune the sound signature to match their preferences. In the RS451, the DAC’s eight channels are configured in a 4-channel parallel structure for stereo output, achieving even greater dynamic range and ultra-low noise performance. -
Advanced Headphone Amplifier Architecture
The RS451 is equipped with two ES9027PRO DACs, with one dedicated to the pre-out and the other to the headphone output. This ensures that the analog audio signal paths are completely separated. Each DAC has its own independent power supply and grounding, which effectively blocks interference and minimizes noise, resulting in clean audio output. The high-performance headphone amplifier section consists of four individually driven amplifiers that provide strong and stable output even for low-impedance headphones. The completely isolated power supply design for each channel helps suppress crosstalk, while the ultra-low-noise circuitry maintains linear response across the full frequency range. This design guarantees consistent driving performance under various impedance conditions and delivers outstanding transparency and tonal balance, even when playing high-resolution audio content. -
Measured Precision in Headphone Performance
The RS451’s headphone amplifier applies four high-output amplifier ICs in a parallel configuration, delivering stable drive capability even with high-impedance headphones exceeding 600Ω. Its ultrafast slew rate of 1300V/μs minimizes signal distortion and enables highly responsive performance, accurately reproducing transients and dynamic changes in music. The THD+N remains consistently low across all impedance ranges, demonstrating the RS451’s ability to deliver balanced, highresolution sound with precision and clarity in any headphone environment. -
ROSE NRA (Noise Reduction Analog)™ Filter
The analog stage of the RS451 features the ROSE NRA™ filter, which eliminates noise and enables flat frequency response even in the very low-frequency range. As a result, the RS451 maintains a consistent frequency characteristic across the entire spectrum without roll-off, delivering original sound information from high-resolution sources with clarity and fidelity. -
Enhanced Processing with Next-Gen 8-Core CPU
The RS451 features the next-generation 8-core CPU RK3588, offering a 4x increase in information processing performance and an 8x boost in graphics performance compared to its predecessor. In addition, the DRAM capacity has been upgraded from 4GB to 8GB, and the eMMC storage has been expanded from 8GB to 32GB, resulting in a processing speed that is more than twice as fast. This allows for smooth playback of large audio files as well as 4K high-resolution videos in HDR, while the media library capacity has grown by approximately three times, supporting over 1 million tracks.
Specifications
Preamp Outputs
Type: Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA
Output Level: 10 Vrms (XLR), 5 Vrms (RCA)
Output Impedance: 1.5 Ω (XLR), 1.3 Ω (RCA)
Headphone Amplifier
Jacks: XLR (balanced), 4.4 mm (balanced), 6.35 mm (unbalanced)
Power Output (XLR, 4.4 mm, 6.35 mm)
16 Ω: 2,700 mW, 2,700 mW, 1,300 mW
32 Ω: 2,600 mW, 2,600 mW, 1,000 mW
300 Ω: 650 mW, 650 mW, 175 mW
600 Ω: 350 mW, 350 mW, 90 mW
Digital Inputs
USB-B (PC Audio): PCM 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD512 (22.6 MHz)
Coaxial In: PCM 32-bit/384 kHz, DSD128 (5.6 MHz, DoP)
Optical In: PCM 32-bit/192 kHz, DSD64 (2.8 MHz, DoP)
HDMI eARC In: PCM 24-bit/192 kHz
Digital Outputs
USB-A Audio Out: PCM 32-bit/768 kHz, DSD512 (22.6 MHz)
Coaxial Out: PCM 32-bit/384 kHz, DSD128 (5.6 MHz, DoP)
Optical Out: PCM 32-bit/192 kHz, DSD64 (2.8 MHz, DoP)
Analog I/O
Preamp Outputs: Balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA
Line Input: 1 × analog line in
Trigger: In (DC 3.3 V–12 V), Out (DC 12 V)
Ground: GND terminal
Processing
CPU: Rockchip RK3588 (Quad-core Cortex-A76 + Quad-core Cortex-A55)
RAM: 8 GB LPDDR4X
GPU: ARM Mali-G610 MC4 (OpenGL, Vulkan, OpenCL)
DAC (Preamp): ESS ES9027PRO
DAC (Headphone): ESS ES9027PRO
Master Clock: Highly precise femto clock
Networking & Wireless
Ethernet: 10/100/1000 BASE-T (1 port)
Wi-Fi: Via USB dongle
Bluetooth: 5.4 aptX (A2DP 1.4, Sink; AVRCP v1.6.2)
Streaming & Protocols
Protocols: Bluetooth, AirPlay, DLNA/UPnP, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect
Storage
External: 3 × USB 3.0 Type-A
Internal: 1 × 2.5" SSD bay (SATA 3.0; NTFS, exFAT)
Network File Services: SMB, FTP, WebDAV
CD Ripping: Supported via external USB CD drive
Service Port: USB 3.0 Type-C
Video & Display
HDMI Output: HDMI 2.0, 4K UHD / 60 Hz
Front Display: 8.8" IPS LCD & capacitive touchscreen (MIPI)
Power
Power Supply: Toroidal linear power supply; 3 A thermal circuit breaker
AC Input Voltage: 110–120 V, 220–240 V, 50/60 Hz
Power Consumption: Standby 0.5 W; Idle 5 W; Playback 20 W
Physical
Dimensions (WHD): 16.93" x 3.62" x 13.27" (430 x 92 x 337 mm)
Weight: 15.43 lb. (7 kg)
Materials: Aluminum, rust-proof steel, ABS
Finish: Silver, Black
IR Receiver: 38 kHz