Results 1 to 18 of 18
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December 24, 2018, 10:30 PM #1
Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
I preordered an Innuos Zen MK III back in August and it finally delivered on Friday!
I've had it in my system over the weekend and have some initial impressions... First of all, where I'm coming from is using a Mac Mini with Roon for the past 9 months or so. My library is about 50/50 between Tidal and hi res FLAC files on an SSD. I'm all-in on the Roon platform. I think it's pretty amazing and has transformed the way I interface with my music in a massive way.
The Zen Mk III is my first experience outside of the Mac Mini & Roon - I have never used a NAS, NUC, Squeezebox player, UPnP or anything like that. So I don't have much to report on that side of things... my observations come from using the Zen III as a Roon Core exclusively.
Setting up the Zen was incredibly simple. I pulled up the Zen on my network in my browser and selected Roon Core integration, and it installed Roon on the Zen and was good to go. I did not install a backup and wanted to start with a clean Roon install. I also pulled up my FLAC backup on my laptop and imported them through the browser interface and the files were immediately imported into my Roon library.
I went over to HDtracks.com and bought another 5-6 titles and imported them directly into the Zen, and then ripped a CD directly into the Zen unit - it worked great... imported all the tracks and found the meta data (Prince's "Piano & a Microphone 1983") and that also popped right up in my Roon library.
Incredibly dead-simple integration and implementation with my system. The interface is awesome and pretty fool-proof. I realize people say they can build a NUC for much less than the price of an Innuos but the Innuos platform is so user-friendly it's easy for someone like me who doesn't want to spend hours figuring that stuff out and well worth the money.
My Luxman DA-06 is not Roon certified, but it was easy to connect it via Wireworld Starlight 7 USB cable and Roon recognized it as an ALSA USB device connected to the Core right away. I also have a Google Chromecast Audio speaker group which is Roon-certified and it recognized that and set everything up right away.
Since the Luxman has a clunky "click" sound every time it changes sample/format, and because I usually listen to mixed format playlists, I used the Roon DSP settings to upsample everything to DSD128 with 7th Order (CLANS) Sigma Delta Modulation and the Zen handles all of this without a hitch.
For me, all of this ease of use and setup over the Mac Mini would be worth it alone, but of course the point is to improve sound quality as well, and I can confirm that I like what I hear, very much so. The music seems to spool seamlessly with a weightier presence and thicker, more expansive soundstage. It's hard to describe, but here's an analogy... imagine the music is being painted with a brush. With the Zen III, the brush seems to be loaded with more paint than it was with the Mac Mini. Just overall a thicker and more robust presentation of the music.
I'm really happy with how things turned out. And I'm not terribly experienced in music networking and streaming and computer audio stuff. I'm basically a Roon/set-it-and-forget-it streamer type guy and I'm sure there's other benefits to the Zen I haven't even scratched the surface on.
Anyway, if you're considering trying out one of the new Innuos servers, I think you're going to be very happy. Highly recommend with no hesitation.PRIMARY 2 CH SYSTEM: Backert Labs Rhythm 1.3; Parasound JC3+ Phono pre; Luxman M900u; Pure Fidelity Harmony with Origin Live Illustrious tonearm and PF Stratos cart; Naim NDX 2; Naim 555PS; Innuos Zen MK III (Roon Core); EtherRegen; Volti Audio Rivals; JL Audio e112 (2); Transparent Super Speaker Cables; Transparent Super interconnects; Transparent Premium & High Performance power cables; Naim Fraim; Stillpoints Ultra SS; Symposium Ultra platforms; IsoTek EVO3 Sigmas conditioner; GIK Acoustics absorption and diffusion panels
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December 25, 2018, 06:25 AM #2
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
I have had my Mk3 Zenith for a couple of weeks now. It is not a huge step up from the Mk2, which I have had on loan for several months. A slightly “fuller” sound all round. If I was pressed, I would say the overall sound system improvement is 2-3%. Enough to notice (just), but not enough to get overly excited about. For me, it is worth the SGD1k upgrade price.
Digital: Innuos Zenith Mk3 Server + MSB Premier DAC with Powerbase
Amp: Gryphon Pandora + Gryphon Antileon Evo Stereo
Speakers: Magico S3 MkII
Cables: MIT SL-Matrix 36 XLR interconnect cables + 70 speaker cables; AQ Diamond & Vodka ethernet cables
Power: AQ Niagara 5000 + AQ Tornado power cables
Headphones (travel): Sennheiser Momentum + Chord Mojo
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December 25, 2018, 11:05 AM #3
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
Thanks for initial impressions, the Innuos appears to be a player in SQ and ease of use.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProSource Analog: Kuzma Stabi R w/4point 11 arm | Kuzma 50 Cartridge
Source Digital: Aurender N10 | Brinkmann Nyquist MK II
Amplification: Dan D’Agostino Momentum HD and M400’s | Boulder 508
Speakers: Wilson Alexias
Cabling: Nordost Leif, Norse, V2 and Odin
Power and Isolation: Audio-Ultra Home & Room Power Foundation Performance Package with StromTank S1000 | HRS
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December 28, 2018, 08:30 AM #4
- Join Date
- Nov 2017
- Posts
- 24
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
Thanks for your impressions. I have Zenit mk2 and wait impatiently for my Statement to come.
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December 29, 2018, 11:55 AM #5
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
Just a few more observations after a week with this unit...
Innuos developers have apparently done some tweaking to the LMS integration in the OS, because bypassing Roon and playing files straight through a Squeezebox emulator like iPeng offers up a pretty sizeable improvement to sound quality.
They have just released an OS update that allows for LMS integration through Roon - so it is playing from RAM into Roon and utilizing the SQ improvements from LMS... pretty great stuff.
I am able to get stability and upsample to DSD 64 in Roon with stellar results. The kicker is, it is playing into RAM, so if you skip tracks or jump from one track to another, it is glitchy. The sound quality is so good, I'm willing to be sure to stop the player before jumping around in order to get the improvements in sound.PRIMARY 2 CH SYSTEM: Backert Labs Rhythm 1.3; Parasound JC3+ Phono pre; Luxman M900u; Pure Fidelity Harmony with Origin Live Illustrious tonearm and PF Stratos cart; Naim NDX 2; Naim 555PS; Innuos Zen MK III (Roon Core); EtherRegen; Volti Audio Rivals; JL Audio e112 (2); Transparent Super Speaker Cables; Transparent Super interconnects; Transparent Premium & High Performance power cables; Naim Fraim; Stillpoints Ultra SS; Symposium Ultra platforms; IsoTek EVO3 Sigmas conditioner; GIK Acoustics absorption and diffusion panels
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December 29, 2018, 12:00 PM #6
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.
Reviewer for Positive Feedback
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December 29, 2018, 12:06 PM #7
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
Yeah I think it's just inherent in using it as a memory player. It's loading all the bits into the RAM and doing any DSP processing within the first few seconds of playing the song, so when you just willy-nilly skip to the next track, it has a tendency to drop everything and try to load the next song without warning. And it usually gets pissy and jumps to the next song in the playlist to get a "clean" start.
It's a vast improvement in SQ though over regular Roon, and the iPeng interface is not really great compared to Roon. So you get the best of both worlds (SQ of the LMS memory player and Roon interface)... but it doesn't like jump scaresPRIMARY 2 CH SYSTEM: Backert Labs Rhythm 1.3; Parasound JC3+ Phono pre; Luxman M900u; Pure Fidelity Harmony with Origin Live Illustrious tonearm and PF Stratos cart; Naim NDX 2; Naim 555PS; Innuos Zen MK III (Roon Core); EtherRegen; Volti Audio Rivals; JL Audio e112 (2); Transparent Super Speaker Cables; Transparent Super interconnects; Transparent Premium & High Performance power cables; Naim Fraim; Stillpoints Ultra SS; Symposium Ultra platforms; IsoTek EVO3 Sigmas conditioner; GIK Acoustics absorption and diffusion panels
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August 14, 2019, 06:23 AM #8
- Join Date
- Jun 2019
- Location
- Trieste, Italy
- Posts
- 50
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
Sorry for coming so "late"... I'm in a dilemma: to buy a Mk2 version ex demo or a new Mk3? The differences are... a lot of money, od course, but reading your coment... and because I'm not a sheik... the Mk2 can be a very good choice!
Am I wrong? Can you -please- tell me more?
Thanks so much, Luca
P.S. I can not see: is the Mk2 without the feet of the Mk3?
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August 14, 2019, 06:28 AM #9
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
Depends on the price difference. I noticed a marginal (but appreciable) improvement with the mk3. Mk2 is without feet.
Digital: Innuos Zenith Mk3 Server + MSB Premier DAC with Powerbase
Amp: Gryphon Pandora + Gryphon Antileon Evo Stereo
Speakers: Magico S3 MkII
Cables: MIT SL-Matrix 36 XLR interconnect cables + 70 speaker cables; AQ Diamond & Vodka ethernet cables
Power: AQ Niagara 5000 + AQ Tornado power cables
Headphones (travel): Sennheiser Momentum + Chord Mojo
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August 14, 2019, 06:39 AM #10
- Join Date
- Jun 2019
- Location
- Columbus, Ohio
- Posts
- 84
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
So, the ZEN actually gives you an option of installing Roon thru its set up menu? So to transfer a current ROON core catalog, I would just install the backup from old core and everything will be their correct?
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August 14, 2019, 06:40 AM #11
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
Answer to first question is “yes”. I don’t know answer to your 2nd question.
Digital: Innuos Zenith Mk3 Server + MSB Premier DAC with Powerbase
Amp: Gryphon Pandora + Gryphon Antileon Evo Stereo
Speakers: Magico S3 MkII
Cables: MIT SL-Matrix 36 XLR interconnect cables + 70 speaker cables; AQ Diamond & Vodka ethernet cables
Power: AQ Niagara 5000 + AQ Tornado power cables
Headphones (travel): Sennheiser Momentum + Chord Mojo
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August 14, 2019, 06:50 AM #12
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
Borresen Acoustics Loudspeakers, Borresen Model 01 Compact monitor loudspeakers with Ansuz Darkz T2s Supreme resonance control, Audio Video Manufaktur GmbH (AVM) Inspiration amplifier & streamer, Innuos Zen MKII music server, Ansuz Acoustics cables & accessories. Please visit my system thread hosted on Audioshark for more details. Disclosure: The author is materially connected to Ansuz, Aavik & Borresen Acoustics via friendship with an owner.
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August 14, 2019, 07:35 AM #13
- Join Date
- Jun 2019
- Location
- Trieste, Italy
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- 50
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
About 900 euro difference!
Lifespan? Ok, I will check, thanks.
I could think. reading Innuos about the improvement of feet (mk3) buying after market feet...
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August 14, 2019, 07:37 AM #14
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
I would spend the 900 euro on it
Digital: Innuos Zenith Mk3 Server + MSB Premier DAC with Powerbase
Amp: Gryphon Pandora + Gryphon Antileon Evo Stereo
Speakers: Magico S3 MkII
Cables: MIT SL-Matrix 36 XLR interconnect cables + 70 speaker cables; AQ Diamond & Vodka ethernet cables
Power: AQ Niagara 5000 + AQ Tornado power cables
Headphones (travel): Sennheiser Momentum + Chord Mojo
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August 14, 2019, 10:00 AM #15
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
Yes, when you set up the Zen it gives the option of how you want to set up your server config and installs Roon Core (if that is what you want) right on the hard drive and it works great. I had a pretty small backup file but I have heard that larger libraries can take quite a bit of time to install. However, no issues with the backup installation that I have heard at all.
PRIMARY 2 CH SYSTEM: Backert Labs Rhythm 1.3; Parasound JC3+ Phono pre; Luxman M900u; Pure Fidelity Harmony with Origin Live Illustrious tonearm and PF Stratos cart; Naim NDX 2; Naim 555PS; Innuos Zen MK III (Roon Core); EtherRegen; Volti Audio Rivals; JL Audio e112 (2); Transparent Super Speaker Cables; Transparent Super interconnects; Transparent Premium & High Performance power cables; Naim Fraim; Stillpoints Ultra SS; Symposium Ultra platforms; IsoTek EVO3 Sigmas conditioner; GIK Acoustics absorption and diffusion panels
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August 15, 2019, 08:39 AM #16
- Join Date
- Jun 2019
- Location
- Columbus, Ohio
- Posts
- 84
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
Another dumb question. Can you actually play CDs with the installed drive?
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August 19, 2019, 11:42 AM #17
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
PRIMARY 2 CH SYSTEM: Backert Labs Rhythm 1.3; Parasound JC3+ Phono pre; Luxman M900u; Pure Fidelity Harmony with Origin Live Illustrious tonearm and PF Stratos cart; Naim NDX 2; Naim 555PS; Innuos Zen MK III (Roon Core); EtherRegen; Volti Audio Rivals; JL Audio e112 (2); Transparent Super Speaker Cables; Transparent Super interconnects; Transparent Premium & High Performance power cables; Naim Fraim; Stillpoints Ultra SS; Symposium Ultra platforms; IsoTek EVO3 Sigmas conditioner; GIK Acoustics absorption and diffusion panels
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August 19, 2019, 12:30 PM #18
Re: Innuos Zen MK III - Initial 72 Hour Impressions
IMHO, do not think of the Innuos as anything other than a streamer to feed your DAC. And it excels at that. CD ripper function is a bonus. Playing CDs? Need another box.
Digital: Innuos Zenith Mk3 Server + MSB Premier DAC with Powerbase
Amp: Gryphon Pandora + Gryphon Antileon Evo Stereo
Speakers: Magico S3 MkII
Cables: MIT SL-Matrix 36 XLR interconnect cables + 70 speaker cables; AQ Diamond & Vodka ethernet cables
Power: AQ Niagara 5000 + AQ Tornado power cables
Headphones (travel): Sennheiser Momentum + Chord Mojo
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AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
Yes, the Digital Director was used in that setup with MSB monoblocks, and Magico M2's.
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