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Innuos Zenith ripper/streamer
(26-Jan-2019, 11:41)midi Wrote: The INNUOS has a complete isolated USB output. On the other hand, they are the opinion that every ethernet connection is polluted by the network traffic, so the USB output shall always be the "cleaner" way. In addition they are the opinion, that the better way is core and player in one device (because so you can avoid further network traffic).

That's an interesting opinion considering you still need the network to get your streamed music to come into your house in the first place. I think it's more about how the receiving end deals with its incoming signal than anything else.
                                                    Lifetime Roon, Mac mini, int. SSD, ext. HDD, tv as monitor, key board and track pad on bean bag as remote,Devialet 200, Od'A #097, Blue jeans speaker cable,                                     
                                                                                                                                                                            Dynaudio C1 MkII.
                                                                                                                                                                              Jim Smith's GBS.
                                                                                                                                                                        Northern NSW Australia.
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(26-Jan-2019, 22:37)Pim Wrote:
(26-Jan-2019, 11:41)midi Wrote: The INNUOS has a complete isolated USB output. On the other hand, they are the opinion that every ethernet connection is polluted by the network traffic, so the USB output shall always be the "cleaner" way. In addition they are the opinion, that the better way is core and player in one device (because so you can avoid further network traffic).

That's an interesting opinion considering you still need the network to get your streamed music to come into your house in the first place. I think it's more about how the receiving end deals with its incoming signal than anything else.

That’s the INNUOS philosophy. If I have a look at the network problems you will get every day with a lot of network devices in the house (I have more than 30) I can understand this philosophy. But it’s hard to believe that a down stripped Linux Version on a 400€ - 500 € NUC device connected to the ethernet network, should have great improvements on the SQ. it will be a good steaming device, but SQ improvement with a ROON Rock device connected by ethernet ? Also very interesting the discussion about audiolinux on a NUC - SQ by Linux software ?
Formerly Devialet 220PRO CI, Magico A3, 2 Gold Phantoms, Dialog/Raspberry PI2 Digi+, ROON Rock NUC8i3, Bluesound Powernode 2i, B&W 607, Audirvana
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It’s not about price. If you break it down to the basics Innuos isn’t doing anything special. They’ve selected a motherboard, RAM, CPU combination they found sounded well which they powered using a custom designed LPSU. Much they’re doing they’ve learned from the DIY community.

How’s Innuos doing things different compared to the DIY community now having NUC’s running Audiolinux in RAM powered by the best LPSU one can get/afford? Some are still using specialist USB and/or ethernet devices like audiophile switches or the TXUSBultra to clean the USB, others are not. I believe Innuos is going to release similar devices.

I have never listened to an Innuos device but do know that at least two guys have sold their SE’s and are now using the AL/NUC setup.

Of course a company like Innuos has more time and resources to compare different configurations than any single DIY’er but on the other hand they have to build a turn-key solution perhaps making SQ compromises in favour of that. And then there’s the advantage of numbers in a DIY community.

One final remark, Pink Faun has also switched to Audiolinux for their 2.16 flagship music server.
PS Audio P3, Shunyata ΞTRON Alpha Digital and HC/Furutech power cables, Paul Hynes SR7EHD-MR4, DIY Roon Server & Roon Endpoint running AudioLinux Headless, Phasure Lush^2 USB cable, Audioquest Diamond RJ/E ethernet, Uptone Audio etherREGEN, Mutec MC-3+ USB, Shunyata ΞTRON Anaconda Digital XLR AES/EBU, Devialet Expert 250 Pro CI, Nordost Tyr Reference LS cables, Von Schweikert VR-5 SE Anniversary Edition, Anti-Mode Dual Core 2.0, JL Audio Fathom F112. More detail here.

The Netherlands
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(27-Jan-2019, 15:49)Antoine Wrote: It’s not about price. If you break it down to the basics Innuos isn’t doing anything special. They’ve selected a motherboard, RAM, CPU combination they found sounded well which they powered using a custom designed LPSU. Much they’re doing they’ve learned from the DIY community.

How’s Innuos doing things different compared to the DIY community now having NUC’s running Audiolinux in RAM powered by the best LPSU one can get/afford? Some are still using specialist USB and/or ethernet devices like audiophile switches or the TXUSBultra to clean the USB, others are not. I believe Innuos is going to release similar devices.

I have never listened to an Innuos device but do know that at least two guys have sold their SE’s and are now using the AL/NUC setup.

Of course a company like Innuos has more time and resources to compare different configurations than any single DIY’er but on the other hand they have to build a turn-key solution perhaps making SQ compromises in favour of that. And then there’s the advantage of numbers in a DIY community.

One final remark, Pink Faun has also switched to Audiolinux for their 2.16 flagship music server.

I have never read a negative review about the Innuos, in the most cases the Innuos is the reference device for the reviewers. What´s about the two guys, who have sold their SE´s and bought AL NUCs - are they happy, are they sure that their AL NUC´s have a better SQ ?
Formerly Devialet 220PRO CI, Magico A3, 2 Gold Phantoms, Dialog/Raspberry PI2 Digi+, ROON Rock NUC8i3, Bluesound Powernode 2i, B&W 607, Audirvana
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I wish I saw more reviews of the “entry level” innuos (zen mini, zen, and zenith). To see how they compare with the lumin u1 mini and Aries g1 (<2500 US), The SE and statement should sound nice at 7 & 14k US and better have good reviews.

Also,I wish you could actually buy one and get it shipped within a week. Currently it’s closer to a month or longer if trying to find one in the states.
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(27-Jan-2019, 20:21)midi Wrote: I have never read a negative review about the Innuos, in the most cases the Innuos is the reference device for the reviewers. What´s about the two guys, who have sold their SE´s and bought AL NUCs - are they happy, are they sure that their AL NUC´s have a better SQ ?

Hi Midi, sorry if I implied anything negative about the Innuos. I’m not saying it’s bad, not at all, I believe it’s good based on the many user reviews I’ve read. Just wanted to state that there is no magic used by Innuos and other off the shelve hardware (whether or not using usb/ethernet specialist add-ons) may perform equally well, less or better. Smile Just because it (the NUC) is cheap” is not a qualifier IMO. Cheap is relative BTW, once you have everything in place including the mandatory high quality PSU the total is higher than just the NUC (or two of them in a server/endpoint combo).

Of course finding those right hardware/software/add-on combinations is the hard part so Innuos might just be the ticket for those not wanting to that work or keep up to date following the DIY community (can’t blame them!).

Edit; the comparison by one of the Zenith SE MK2 owners here: https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic...ent=902212
PS Audio P3, Shunyata ΞTRON Alpha Digital and HC/Furutech power cables, Paul Hynes SR7EHD-MR4, DIY Roon Server & Roon Endpoint running AudioLinux Headless, Phasure Lush^2 USB cable, Audioquest Diamond RJ/E ethernet, Uptone Audio etherREGEN, Mutec MC-3+ USB, Shunyata ΞTRON Anaconda Digital XLR AES/EBU, Devialet Expert 250 Pro CI, Nordost Tyr Reference LS cables, Von Schweikert VR-5 SE Anniversary Edition, Anti-Mode Dual Core 2.0, JL Audio Fathom F112. More detail here.

The Netherlands
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Also, of course, there are no absolutes here anyway: what's "better" for one person may not be better for someone else.
Roon (Mac Mini), Wilson Benesch Full Circle, Expert 1000 Pro CI, Kaiser Chiara
Warwickshire, UK
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@Antoine:

No problem, I am happy for every post, which helps me to get more informations and a better understanding.
Formerly Devialet 220PRO CI, Magico A3, 2 Gold Phantoms, Dialog/Raspberry PI2 Digi+, ROON Rock NUC8i3, Bluesound Powernode 2i, B&W 607, Audirvana
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A couple of point regarding Innous products. The first is power supplies. Many Innuos models feature LPSU's designed by Sean Jacobs, who is a recognised specialist with respect to audio LPSU's, his power supplies have a reputation of being amongst the best in the world. I think this is a critical factor with any kind of streaming devices. If you look at the link per Antoine's post #106, the guy who has got superb results from his "cheap" NUC is using maybe $2600 or more worth of LPSU and cables. Also, there are now many reports from users of microRendus, SOtM kit, NUCs and more, and the theme is the same, better power supplies typically equate to superior SQ. So Innous may "only" use carefully selected off the shelf components, but they are paying proper attention to decent power.

Then we have AudioLinux, complete with "Ramboot" via USB stick, this is reckoned to be a factor with respect to decent SQ from a NUC. The AS poster @Austinpop (again per Antoine's post #106) actually managed to get his Innuos SE running AudioLinux and passed details back to Innuous. So who knows, in due course, this could be something that Innuos offer to existing customers.

Finally, the Innuos is an off the shelf turnkey solution with product support, with built-in music storage etc. The NUC is clearly for the DIY market, so different things for a very a different user base. Both are good in there own way, and as it happens, I have not listened to either of them! So I can make no comment as to which sounds best.
1000 Pro - KEF Blade - iFi Zen Stream - Mutec REF10 - MC3+USB - Pro-Ject Signature 12
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@Confused even if most parts have been of the shelf in the old Innuos products I think the development of the "Statement" trickled down to the regular ZENith models with a custom motherboard.

"Our own custom-made Innuos motherboard is completely reworked for optimised audio performance. Sources of EMI have been removed and internal clocks optimised, resulting in a "blacker" music background and enhanced realism."
Speakers:TAD CE-1. Amplifier: TAD M2500mk2. Digital: TAD DA1000-TX, Innuos Statement Next-gen, Innuos PhoenixNET.

Miscellaneous: Qobuz Studio, Ansuz Mainz 8 D2, Ansuz Darkz DTC, Tubulus Argentus ethernet cable, Tubulus Concentus USB cable, Tubulus Argentus V2 XLR cable, Tubulus Argentus V3 + V3 bass, iFi Nova powercables. 

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