Innuos Zen Mk3 - internal storage vs NAS?

[jeffnesh]

I've honed in on the Innuos line for a network transport to drop into my system. I'm feeding a PSAudio DS DAC, currently with a small NUC running Roon Core.

I'm wanting to move *away* from Roon. Was thinking about that for a number of reasons before 2.0, but I do a considerable amount of listening offline/away from internet and that's a deal breaker with the new update. So UI is important, and I like what I see in Sense.

My question is in the configuration of the Mk3. I've got about 600GB of files now. I could go with a 2TB Zen, but was wondering if I fill up the HD space and serve over ethernet from my NAS, is there a drop off in sound quality? Is it significant? Does the Zen pre-load data into RAM from a network stream as well as its own drive?

Mostly looking for thoughts on best SQ for file storage on the Zen...should I splurge for the (pretty pricey for a drive) upgrade to 2TB or is a NAS just fine?

Thanks!

 

[Audio2Addict]

I have the Zen MK3. I went with the 2 TB but it also allows you to connect an external drive.

What I didn't expect but probably should have guess is the sound varies based on the processor demands from the software. In my listening tests, Roon Remote sounded best then the Sense App (now 2.21) and pulling up the rear was Roon Core.

 

[Hear Here]

I'm wanting to move *away* from Roon. Was thinking about that for a number of reasons before 2.0, but I do a considerable amount of listening offline/away from internet and that's a deal breaker with the new update. So UI is important, and I like what I see in Sense.

I'm not familiar with the Innuos, but I share your importance in getting a device with a good user interface.

I note that you have a DAC, so not needed in your server or streamer. Also that you listen to non-internet supplied music eg your own ripped CDs and other hard-drive stored music. I like to switch between sources so need a control app that seamlessly caters for this. Also I listen to Paradise Radio and several internet radio stations, so again the app needs to find these easily. In fact several are in my Presets.

Let me ask this about the Innuos - can you simply PLAY a CD without ripping it first? I like to be able to pay CDs, particularly when visitors bring their own discs that I don't like enough to rip to my HDs! I was searching for such a streamer / server / CD player / CD ripper and found only 2 at the time. The hugely costly French Metronone and the NAD M50.2 that had received excellent reviews, has twin 2 TB drives operating in RAID for a degree of security and uses the excellent BluOS app for control. This app can be loaded onto tablets such as iPad and Kindle, Andriod devices and (for me far more important) onto Windows or Apple PCs. It's certainly the best app I've used and I didn't need Roon to find music from any of my sources. And it's subscription free of course.

Have you considered this NAD device as an alternative? It's probably more expensive if bought new, but it's been around long enough that you can find them used quite often. Buying used, you may have a pile of new music that you could listen to or easily ditch! Just a thought. Peter

 

[slowgeezr]

I've honed in on the Innuos line for a network transport to drop into my system. I'm feeding a PSAudio DS DAC, currently with a small NUC running Roon Core.

I'm wanting to move *away* from Roon. Was thinking about that for a number of reasons before 2.0, but I do a considerable amount of listening offline/away from internet and that's a deal breaker with the new update. So UI is important, and I like what I see in Sense.

My question is in the configuration of the Mk3. I've got about 600GB of files now. I could go with a 2TB Zen, but was wondering if I fill up the HD space and serve over ethernet from my NAS, is there a drop off in sound quality? Is it significant? Does the Zen pre-load data into RAM from a network stream as well as its own drive?

Mostly looking for thoughts on best SQ for file storage on the Zen...should I splurge for the (pretty pricey for a drive) upgrade to 2TB or is a NAS just fine?

Thanks!

jeffnesh, I own the Innous Zenith MK3 with four TB internal solid state storage. I can say the CDs I ripped sound better than they have on any other device I've owned. I ripped them WAV. Sense is seamless in playing songs from Qobuz or your ripped files. The songs/albums are organized seamlessly also. You will love it.

 

[GSOphile]

Hear Here asked: "Let me ask this about the Innuos - can you simply PLAY a CD without ripping it first?" No, but ripping is quite fast. For clients who bring in CDs, he rips and then plays s on his ZENith Mk3.