The RS130 is the ultimate network streaming transport. From its crystal-topped control buttons and intuitive touch-screen interface, through to its complex, performance-optimized inner workings; this is a flagship device suited to any audiophile looking for the best possible way to get a whole world of digital audio content to their DAC.
No More Noise
The principle technical ambition when developing the RS130 was to produce a totally clean digital signal for any connected DAC, allowing for a very low noise floor and a vivid, detailed sonic image. This has been achieved with a variety of new technologies including optical network connectivity, optical USB connection options and a high-precision OCXO clock. The result is evidenced in the stunning technical measurements achieved by the RS130 under laboratory conditions.
Optical fibre data transfers are noise-resistant, fast and reliable, even over longer distances. Therefore the RS130 supports sending and receiving data using Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) transceivers over ethernet. Similarly, fibre USB technology is more immune to electromagnetic noise and achieves greater signal stability, which is why the RS130 boasts a fibre USB 3.0 input. Further, HiFi Rose will also soon offer the RSA720 USB Hub with fibre output, to allow this still-developing technology to upgrade the performance of any local, USB attached music storage.
Keep In Time
The RS130 maximises the accuracy of its digital output signal by using a high-precision OCXO 10MHz clock. This type of clock is amongst the most accurate and stable on the current market, regardless of temperature changes, and is purpose-designed to suppress jitter generation. The result is perfect musical timing in the end-performance, allowing listeners to travel deeper into the sound-field. There’s also an external master clock input, for synchronising the clock signal between various devices.
Optimised Performance
Throughout the RS130 signal path, HiFi Rose’s designers have selected premium components and technologies to ensure no part of the transport process is compromised. This logic even transfers to the actual board layout, where the AC power supply, DC power supply and audio-signal processing circuits are physically isolated from each other.
The entire circuitry is then fed by a newly designed 15V DC / 6.67A power supply section, featuring high-capacity supercapacitors and a shielded linear power supply. This innovative design provides excellent power delivery to the main audio circuitry, with sufficient headroom to ensure the power supply is never under stress and the performance is never compromised. The end result is dramatically reduced power noise and a sound performance from the RS130 that is entirely natural and faithful to the original.
A Build to Behold
Externally, the RS130 is identifiable as a piece of luxury industrial design. The solid aluminium construction is complemented by functional heat-management aspects, such as the heat-sinks on the side of the chassis, and the ventilation built-in to the HiFi Rose logo on the top. It is also highlighted by striking visual elements, such as the crystal-topped control buttons on top of the unit, and the wide-angle 15.4” 1920*382 resolution LCD capacitive touch-screen, making the device a true joy to use every day.
