HiFi Rose RW800 Bridges the Streaming Gap

The RW800 supports TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Roon Ready playback. It can operate as an expansion module for compatible HiFi Rose equipment or as a standalone network streamer connected to an amplifier, active loudspeakers or external DAC.

It is a straightforward answer to an increasingly familiar problem, allowing good streaming hardware to remain perfectly usable long after services, protocols and control methods have moved on. HiFi Rose has previously acknowledged technical difficulties adding TIDAL Connect and some newer functions to existing hardware through firmware alone, leading the company to develop the RW800 as a separate device.

For existing owners, adding another box may not be the ideal outcome, but it is considerably less disruptive than replacing a full-size network player simply to gain access to newer streaming options.

In Expansion Mode, the RW800 connects to compatible HiFi Rose products through USB and uses the company’s Host Sync system to integrate with the existing player. HiFi Rose says the module can automatically discover and synchronise with the host device, while album artwork, track information and playback status remain visible on the connected Rose product’s display.

The company specifically cites models including the RS151 and RS520, although compatibility and connection requirements may vary across the broader HiFi Rose range. Owners should therefore confirm support for their particular model before ordering.

Standalone Mode turns the RW800 into a compact streamer for systems from HiFi Rose or other manufacturers. Its unbalanced RCA output can connect directly to an integrated amplifier, preamplifier or pair of active loudspeakers, while the optical digital output allows the RW800 to feed an external DAC.

The RW800 supports PCM playback at up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD128. Its optical input and output handle PCM signals at up to 32-bit/192kHz, while network connectivity covers dual-band Wi-Fi, 10/100 Ethernet and Bluetooth 5.2. DLNA and UPnP playback are also included alongside the major Connect platforms.

HiFi Rose has built the module around an LS10 network processor and an ESS ES9280 DAC, with separate chipsets used for network processing and audio conversion. The company says this arrangement helps reduce interference between data and audio functions.

The analogue output delivers 2Vrms, with HiFi Rose quoting a signal-to-noise ratio of 119dB, 120dB dynamic range and total harmonic distortion plus noise of 0.0008% at 1kHz and 2Vrms. Frequency response is rated from 10Hz to 50kHz within ±1dB. At 110mm wide, 115.5mm deep and just 27mm high, the RW800 should be easy to accommodate beside an existing streamer or hide elsewhere in an equipment rack. It weighs 245 grams and draws less than 2.5 watts during playback.

The minimalist black enclosure features an illuminated diffuser along its underside rather than the large front-panel touchscreen normally associated with HiFi Rose. Control is handled through the ROSE AIR mobile app or directly through compatible streaming applications.

HiFi Rose has opened global pre-orders through authorised dealers and is also offering a launch promotion for existing HiFi Rose customers until 30 September, with conditions and availability determined by individual regional distributors and dealers. The HiFi Rose RW800 ROSE AIR Lite is priced at A$299 | NZ$359 | £169 | €199, with availability expected from early August 2026.

For more information visit HiFi Rose