HiFi Rose is back with a new network streamer, and this one feels like it was built with both audiophiles and headphone lovers in mind. The new RS451 slots between the company’s RS250A and its flagship RS151, offering a well-rounded mix of features pulled from the top-tier model—without going overboard.
First announced at Munich High End 2025, the RS451 is a compact yet powerful unit that can serve as the heart of a traditional speaker-based system or hold its own on a desktop setup with high-end headphones. It is available now for $3,295 at Dreamedia, which is still very much in “serious audio gear” territory, but notably more approachable than the company’s pricier options.
What sets the RS451 apart from many other streamers is how it handles both line-level and headphone audio. HiFi Rose didn’t just tack on a headphone jack here—it built two separate DAC signal paths, one for the standard analog preamp outputs and another for the dedicated headphone amp section.
Each path gets its own ESS SABRE ES9027PRO DAC chip, which is capable of handling PCM files up to 768kHz and DSD512. That’s overkill for most listeners, but if you’re diving into high-res files or streaming from services like Qobuz or TIDAL, it means the RS451 won’t hold you back.
There are also seven digital filters onboard, giving you the option to slightly tweak the tonal balance depending on your gear or preferences.
If you’re into headphone listening, this is where the RS451 starts to look even more interesting. HiFi Rose equipped the unit with four separate amp circuits to provide a clean, stable signal even to low-impedance or high-demand headphones—including full-size planar magnetic models.
You’ll find three headphone outputs on the front: a 6.3 mm (quarter-inch) jack, a 4.4 mm balanced Pentaconn, and a full-size balanced XLR. There’s even a little selector dial so you can switch outputs without digging into the touchscreen menu.
To keep everything running smoothly, the headphone stage has its own toroidal power supply, completely isolated from the rest of the system—something you typically see in much larger and more expensive gear.
Plenty of streamers have touchscreens these days, but few do them well. The RS451’s 8.8-inch wide-angle touchscreen is fast, colorful, and responsive. You can browse your music library, scroll through streaming apps, or even watch videos through TIDAL or the built-in RoseTube (a curated version of YouTube).
HiFi Rose’s Rose OS powers the interface, and it runs on Android 12 under the hood. That means native support for services like TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music, Spotify Connect, internet radio, and even CD ripping if you hook up an external drive. Which means it’ll play nicely with Spotify Lossless now that it’s finally here.
It’s also Roon Ready and Audirvāna certified, so if you’re using those platforms, integration is seamless. The included remote and companion app give you multiple ways to control playback if you don’t want to tap the screen.
Under the hood, the RS451 is powered by an 8-core processor (RK3588), paired with 8GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. That’s more than enough to keep the interface snappy and allow for large music libraries without slowing things down.
As for physical connections, there’s a wide selection:
Whether you’re plugging into a traditional hi-fi amp, a pair of active speakers, or just a good set of cans, the RS451 has you covered. It can even hook up to your TV through HDMI eARC for a better movie or concert streaming experience, and you can use your TV remote to adjust the volume.
The RS451 doesn’t scream “audiophile gear,” but it doesn’t try to hide either. It’s built from CNC-machined aluminum, weighs around 16 lbs, and comes in either black or silver. At about 17 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall, it fits into most audio racks or desk setups without taking over.
The layout is clean and symmetrical: headphone jacks on one side, volume knob on the other, and the display centered. It’s clearly been designed with everyday usability in mind, not just shelf appeal.
The HiFi Rose RS451 might not reinvent what a network streamer can do—but it does bring together a lot of useful features in one box. If you’re someone who wants:
...then the RS451 makes a strong case for itself. It’s not cheap, but it could replace multiple pieces of gear, streamline your setup, and handle everything from local files to Roon to Bluetooth streaming.
Whether it lives in your listening room, your office, or next to your TV, the RS451 seems just as comfortable working behind the scenes as it is being the center of attention.
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions - Affiliate Policy
Home Security
© Copyright 2008-2026.
11816 Inwood Rd #1211, Dallas, TX 75244
