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Does America Have Something That Will Beat the HiFi Rose RS151 Gen. 2?

I used to own a McIntosh DS200. I wanted it to replace my Cambridge CXNV2.  The DS200 really didn't replace it since it has a poor User Interface in my opinion, plus there were some things it should have done... interfacing with Qobuz for example, and didn't.  So... I looked for great sounds with a very good UI, in my opinion I found it in the HiFi Rose RS151 Gen. 2.  Build quality is excellent.  Sound reproduction is very resolving... and the UI is very accommodating, intuitive and performs as advertised.  Only thing is... I would have preferred purchasing an American streamer with all of the qualities and virtues of the RS151 and haven't been able to find anything even remotely close in performance and price.  We need to do better. Are there options?

mkreg
mapman's avatar
mapman
23,585 posts
 

Lots of good display options with Roon including using smart TVs. 
Also packed with functionality and runs on most common home and mobile platforms.   
 

I do not feel the need to have a proprietary hifi streamer at all these days though I do have a Cambridge Evo150 which is a very nice unit that sounds great and does it all.  

decathlon1991
229 posts
 

mkreg,

Pick a choice because at the end of the day, you get what you pay for.  After the warranty runs out, I pray you don’t have any issues because you may have to send it to South Korea or junk it here in the States. The question was focused on sound quality but your response to my answer wasn’t focused on pricing.  I was responding to the question at hand, not the pricing since that wasn’t the focus.   When it comes to pricing, I’m a bit confused because if you did go to their website, you would see that the Cary Audio DMS800PV is priced on sale at $8,247.00 (not 3 times the price of the HiFi Rose RS151) and the DMS700, which is still better is priced on sale at $4,672.00.  The HiFi Rose 151 average price of $5,695.00.  There, the Cary Audio DMS700 is well under your budget with better sound and if you need support, they are here in the states.

See for yourself!

https://carydirect.com/shop-now.html

decathlon1991
229 posts
 

Check out community.roseaudio.kr/t/considering-the-rs151/13235

mkreg OP
19 posts
 

Interesting... This is what my search found...

Cary Audio DMS800PV

Price Breakdown & Availability (As of May 2026):

  • Retail MSRP: ($14,995)
  • Cary Direct Factory Direct/Sale: Frequently listed between ($8,247)-($11,246)
  • Used/Pre-owned: Approx. ($8,164)
  • International: Approx. (€16,500) - (€18,995)

If you have found this unit...previously unloved... for the price you state... GREAT... Good on Ya!

decathlon1991
229 posts
 

The link I sent you was current on their website (05/01/2026).  You can buy either one of the units directly from them at the prices I listed.  Heck, if you are on a budget , they can offer financing.  My point was to respond to the post and give positive insight especially since I’ve played with all of the streamers listed in the post.  What the person does with the valuable information I presented is entirely up to them because at the end of the day, it’s their money and their choice.  My suggestion is an option with the opportunity to see for yourself.  I’ve played around with over 15-20 steamers!  At the end of the day, I have what I was searching for with my setup.  I get to enjoy the music leading up to this point and for the future.  I hope others do as well!

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