yeah this on is high on a list if I decide to invest that much in a streamer. Just not sure I am ready to do that.
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For those wondering about the I2S configuration compatibility, I have reached out to HiFi Rose and this is what they answered:
RS130/RS150B I2S output pin layout:
- A mode is for PS Audio.
- B mode is for JAVS.
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So each mode is hardwired and the DAC(MkII) in my case will just work with a standard HDMI cable; correct?
Yes, that is my understanding.
Makes sense to me too.
Interested to hear opinions on how the RS130 sonic performance compares to established competition from Aurender, Auralic, Innuos, Lumin, etc. 
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While not that impressed with the source, hereās a new review of the RS130:
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Noting the RS is better than the Lumin, is quite an endorsement.
Thanks for posting.
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Hereās what I can tell you so far. A lot of what Huff is saying - especially with respect to the apparent reduction in noise, the improved smoothness and clarity without any loss in resolution or transient performance, is all consistent with what Iām hearing. Iāve only heard the price competitive streamers at shows, so all I have here to compare it to is a Holo Red. Is it better than the Red? Uh, yes. 
Is it $4400 better than the Red? How much ābetterā does something have to be before itās deemed āworth itā to somebody? Thatās a personal decision. The fact thatās it is better, in this comparison, is unambiguous.
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Hereās a much more comprehensive review from HiFi News (October 2023) where they award it as an Outstanding Product. Some of their notable findings:
Linear PS with supercapacitor UPS, feeds separately regulated supplies for processors, OCXO, NVMe SSD cache, USB and Ethernet ports. Reports on revelatory sonics uncovering nuances never before heard on familiar recordings. Sonics are indistinguishable on files played via internal SSD or USB connected drive or from NAS.
Measurements section states itās firmly in the upper echelon of music storage/streaming devices with the Aurender W20SE, Grimm MU1, Innuos Statement, AURALiC Sirius G2.1 (may have meant Aries combo since I recall they were reviewed together), and Antipodes Oladra. Jitter figures are on par with the best theyāve ever measured which were from the Aurender W20SE and N30SA.
Full review: [RS130] Hi Fi News 'Outstanding Product' badge - Reviews - HiFi ROSE
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Todayās update.
Thereās really no point in doing pure sonic comparisons anymore with my RS130. The RS130 is better, as in ways I said above. Having said this, itās amazing that technology has progressed to the point where the less expensive streamers (and I imagine DACs) are as good as they are. The Holo Red is a nice fit for a lot of peopleās systems. Small, built like a brick house, sounds pretty darn good, plays gapless with no issues. Functionally perfect. But, audio-wise there is better. Whether a person categorizes it as āgetting that extra few percentā or āgetting a game changing improvementā doesnāt really matter, for me in this case the RS130 has pushed the Red into retirement. As it should, given the cost difference!
However, HiFI Rose, name notwithstanding, from my research is really not an āaudio companyā. Their background is in being one of the largest producers of point-of-sale equipment. I think it shows, in that some capabilities - like gapless DSD - is still not working, while something like this was available pretty much from the get-go by Holo. From being on Roseās forum now, I get the feeling theyāre a bit newbish when it comes to figuring out how to get some of this functionality to āwork rightā. Once they get gapless DSD working, and no pops in PCM/DSD/PCM transitioning, then Iād say the core audio functionality should be set. It otherwise sounds very nice indeed.
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And oh, at least on my system, the RS130 sounds a scootch better going to the DS MkII via I2S with the Tubulus cable, versus the Rosesās dedicated USB-Audio output with the WW Platinum 7 cable. Instruments just a bit more three dimensional, space just a bit blacker. Audible in side by side listening. Not sure I could swear in court as to which is which if blindfolded, but a difference there is. Enough for a maniac to pick out. 
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I have only one streamer comparison (Aurender A100) to compare to but I got the Rose 520 and really glad I did. The 130 looks amazing as well. The 520 I believe is basically a 180 amp and a 150 streamer. I use the amp for TV/background speakers but it drives my mains well. I use the pre-amp outs to mono blocks for fun nights. Rose seems to really know what they are doing and the app is right on as are the features. I may grab a Sr. as TMR is running deals on recons w/warranty and try that too although the ESS in the 520 is pretty good. Happy to see a company like this coming out with great stuff ā¦
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Any way for you to compare the digital sections of both units?
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So when I got the A100, I was switching over from a PC. Yes, there was an improvement. I told myself forever a PC was just fine but the better sound and experience was worth the switch in spades. The A100 does a great job- nothing bad to say about it at all. The Rose to me has has all that AND a bag of chips. Some folks may not need the screen, inputs/outputs/eArc/Rose tube etc etc but I think it is one of the top boxes out there for sound/app/experience. Especially regarding the app. Very easy to use from phone or tablet.
However to be fair as you are trying to make a comparison here, I canāt say the Rose sounded noticeably better then the A100. My guess is that you could blindfold me and do a A/B test and I wouldnāt know the difference. Both sound really good. Also of note, Iām basically just streaming and running some 24/192 files. Maybe if you are a DSD guy there are some differences in how they handle files etc Iām not aware of. Hope this helps. Also, I have used Bluesound as well and the best app by far is Rose.
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Yesterday and today I did a lot of listening to both the PST and the RS130 into the DS MkII, with the PST driving the Audioquest Dragon I2S and the RS130 using the Tubulus. I think even if I had done a Luca quality comparative table the scores would have been essentially the same. Maybe a couple of tenths different? Who knows. Not that they sounded exactly the same, but to me the differences were smaller than some I2S cables changes Iāve done in the past. The important thing is neither is outdone in the least by the other. I now consider myself having satisfied the goal of having the transport and the streamer essentially indistinguishable from each other. Just not enough of a difference to care.
Meaning, the RS130 is good.
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Very similar to my experience with Auralic G2 with Hoer-Wege PSU upgrade. Streaming has come a long way.
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Sure has. And this from someone who goes back all the way to the original SliMP3! 
Excellent Rose products, I feel great. I have the RS150b which I use with both its internal DAC and an external DAC. I evaluated the gearbox with RS130 but as a reader, in my opinion, we are there in terms of quality and then it isnāt even economically convenient for me to do so. So I keep the 150b with which I have great fun.
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Revisiting this topic. I am just getting room up and running and yesterday was first time I could play music!!! YEAH!! First time coming from RS130 to MKII. Roon worked fine first song, but when I skipped song, no sound. Both units display showed it should be working, but no sound. Skip a song a few times, and sound came back. Happened twice.
Anyone else see this? I am using USB (OMEGA). My friend has my RAL, I need to get that back asap to play with that.