Do I Have to Buy the Rose RS451 ?

[Richx200]

Hello,

Right now my audio play chain is Zidoo Z30 (stores, catalogs and transports the music via USB to Topping D70 Sabre Pro DAC to the Anthem 1140 MRX via analog. I have since found out that the Zidoo Z30 has had its entire USB input removed, (strictly a TV Box) so there is no way for me to either replace the operating system with something like CoreElec or use an Android Music Player App like Neutron. This leaves me with having to listen to Android wreck my music. I only got the Zidoo to handle the music and TV UI not realizing what it was doing to the data stream.

So now I'm searching for an audio transport that must have the following specs:

1) Bit perfect transport 2) USB 2.0 audio out 3) be able to use Neutron, UAAP or Poweramp 4) HDMI UI TV output 5) I don't need a DAC but will take it if left with no choice.

The only unit I have found so far is the Rose RS451, and I'm hoping that someone on the forum knows an audio transport that would meet the specs under $3,300.00

Thank you for your response and time

 

[Ruediger]

What's required as formats and bitrates to be decoded and go to the Topping?

The little Kodi boxes do toslink 192/24.

 

[Puddingbuks]

Wiim ultra?

 

[Ruediger]

No UI out by HDMI.

Although apps for PC, android, etc.

 

[Redacted]

Sounds like you have fixed onto a configuration and are now stuck with having to buy a hugely expensive Rose unit to suit that config.
I'm not sure I understand how everything in your rig hangs together, but it may be that that you can get all the functionality, flexibility and quality you need by a different approach.
As for streamers, the digital outputs are all same - as transports, it only comes down to which have nice GUIs and good software support of the apps in them - and as most have a DAC that you may or may not have a preference for, you don't necessarily have to use what is built-in.

 

[Richx200]

What's required as formats and bitrates to be decoded and go to the Topping?

The little Kodi boxes do toslink 192/24.

My catalog consists of MP3 - DSD512 I have movies covered

 

[Richx200]

No UI out by HDMI.

Although apps for PC, android, etc.

The problem is so far all the decent audio transports I have looked at don't have a video out port. So I would have to navigate the catalog via small touch screen while sitting next to the box, tablet or phone.

 

[Redacted]

I must be on the wrong track with what your are trying to do... What does the mentioned "video out port" need to do in your set up?
Are you watching streamed videos, or BR/DVD sources or what?
If so, any smart TV can get the streams or BR/DVD player input, and output audio over HDMI to most audio streamers, and then out to your stereo...

 

[Richx200]

Sounds like you have fixed onto a configuration and are now stuck with having to buy a hugely expensive Rose unit to suit that config.
I'm not sure I understand how everything in your rig hangs together, but it may be that that you can get all the functionality, flexibility and quality you need by a different approach.
As for streamers, the digital outputs are all same - as transports, it only comes down to which have nice GUIs and good software support of the apps in them - and as most have a DAC that you may or may not have a preference for, you don't necessarily have to use what is built-in.

As for my audio chain currently Zidoo Z30 > Topping D70 Sabre > Anthem 1140 MRX MiniDsp 2x4 > Focal Aria speakers. The problem arose when I was looking at an alternate music player app and ran across Neutron and thought I would give it a try. Got a download from the site and tried to load it into the Z30. The app wouldn't load, so I tried UAAP and Poweramp and none would load only their trial versions. This lead to why and one thing lead to another Until I found that the Z30's OS (Android Open Source) was modified for video only. I questioned why would a streamer that supports all the audio formats strip out all the audio in the OS in favor of video (doesn't support Atmos). I mean they removed USB input down to the kernel there is nothing that can be done to fix the box.

That leaves me looking for a replacement. All the transports seem to come with one of three OS Android (Certified Google crap), Android Open Source (no Google) or a Home Brew it doesn't matter which one because Neutron, UAAp, or Poweramp (unless the unit is locked) will install its own audio OS. That leaves me with the problem of get an audio transport with a solid chips set (didn't turn the box into Android TV) with video output for Ui. The only one I have found so far is the Rose RE451 if it comes down to that being the only transport than that is what I'll get. I don't think the Rose DAC is better than the Topping, but we'll see if I need to I can bypass it.

 

[Richx200]

I must be on the wrong track with what your are trying to do... What does the mentioned "video out port" need to do in your set up?
Are you watching streamed videos, or BR/DVD sources or what?
If so, any smart TV can get the streams or BR/DVD player input, and output audio over HDMI to most audio streamers, and then out to your stereo...

I have a large catalog of music when the library comes up, and I have a menu to select from. Most transports provide this selection process by either small touch screen, tablet or phone. I don't like any of them, I just prefer to have the process on the TV screen.

 

[Ruediger]

The Rose streamer sends it's GUI via HDMI to a TV?

That's a rather specific feature. Personally I wouldn't want a TV on for music play, but I can understand the wish.

Together with DSD512 you have some requirements to match. I don't think there will be something cheap.

It's possible there are boxes with Linux that can do this. Optical out is limited, but HDMI out can do more. The question is if you find an OS, like CoreElec or others, that have your players available. Or at least one of them. I would do more research before throwing a huge amount at Rose. It's not a topic of performance. Your Zidoo could do all this easily. The topic is software and connection possibilities.

 

[Richx200]

Wiim ultra?

Sorry like many other this unit's HDMI is for audio only HDMI ARC, the Eversolo DMP a6 has two HDMI and both for audio

 

[Richx200]

The Rose streamer sends it's GUI via HDMI to a TV?

That's a rather specific feature. Personally I wouldn't want a TV on for music play, but I can understand the wish.

Together with DSD512 you have some requirements to match. I don't think there will be something cheap.

It's possible there are boxes with Linux that can do this. Optical out is limited, but HDMI out can do more. The question is if you find an OS, like CoreElec or others, that have your players available. Or at least one of them. I would do more research before throwing a huge amount at Rose. It's not a topic of performance. Your Zidoo could do all this easily. The topic is software and connection possibilities.

Yes it is the only transports I have found so far.

 

[Marc v E]

Two out of the box options:

1) a bluray player that also plays dsd over network. Oppo 203 perhaps.
2) a small fanless mini pc.

For option 2 something from:
Beelink
Minisforum
ASUS NUC-style systems

Then either:
Run Android x86
Run Windows with a player such as JRiver Media Center
Run Foobar2000 with SACD plugins

 

[Richx200]

Two out of the box options:

1) a bluray player that also plays dsd over network. Oppo 203 perhaps.
2) a small fanless mini pc.

For option 2 something from:
Beelink
Minisforum
ASUS NUC-style systems

Then either:
Run Android x86
Run Windows with a player such as JRiver Media Center
Run Foobar2000 with SACD plugins

Thank you I haven't thought about using the server as a transport. Much to thank about.

 

[scrubb]

Question about your signal chain, semi unrelated: does the MRX1140 have an analog-direct setting? I use an MRX540 which does not. All analog inputs are converted to digital internally for processing. We know most ADCs measured here have been somewhat mediocre, therefore I don't see the point in using and external DAC, and just run the digital output of my streaming device (Pi running Ropieee > D10s converting USB to toslink) directly into the MRX540 and rely on its DAC. I figure taking a conversion step out of the signal chain is more "pure" or at least has the possibility of causing less harm.

 

[Ruediger]

I recently installed some Asus NUCs (N100). Not cheap altogether but good quality, perfect driver support and no problems whatsoever.

In the past there was LibreElec for Intel NUCs. Never tried it. I feel amlogic for <250€ (already the big fast chip) makes way more sense.

 

[kemmler3D]

I also vote Mini PC if HDMI out for UI is a requirement.

You will have more options and therefore more complexity with setup, but most support HDMI natively, many are quite cheap, (no need for a high spec machine just for music playback) and if you get a Windows PC you can use remote desktop so it's controllable via an android phone if you want. Or you get a wireless mouse / keyboard. Or one of those little trackpack / keyboard input thingies. Etc.

You can also run EQ / room correction / whatever you want on the PC itself, so your DSP options open up considerably.

 

[Redacted]

I have a large catalog of music when the library comes up, and I have a menu to select from. Most transports provide this selection process by either small touch screen, tablet or phone. I don't like any of them, I just prefer to have the process on the TV screen.

Aha! I get why it's nice to have the same info shown on a big screen, but would a be a bit overbearing for me, and not worth the cost of the Rose unit - but each to his own.

I have nice super-cheap tablet that is dedicated to controlling my streamer via its app, although there are many ways to set up what plays, using other apps. Everyone nearby can see the playlist or what's next in the album etc. No problem with picking from 1000's of albums, or genres, or band names etc etc. and 120+ playlists from my DLNA server on my RAID/NAS with the tablet, with just a few swipes or screen presses!

 

[Madeintooting]

You can configure a mini pc to boot straight into Kodi, I use an elderly Intel Nuc6 which has a built in infra red port allowing full control with an IR Remote control.
Plays video over hdmi and audio to a usb dac.