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Got Innuous, now a DAC

I worked with the Music Room and purchased an Innuous Zen Mk3. I remember five years ago when I started building my system, I heard many say streamers don’t matter. Well they do. I thought my BS Node 2i was good with the after market power supply. The Innuous kicked dirt in the face of the BS. The Innuous forced me to use USB which probably helps as well. And an added benefit: NO MORE SOFTWARE ISSUES. Yay! Qobuz internet interface is great. The sound of Qobuz is so good it made my $400 BT speakers sound better.

The Music Room associate said I will see another step improvement. I have looked around. I think R2R might be a good try. I would characterize my system as neutral. I have eliminated most glare or listening fatigue. But I don’t know what I don’t know.

I would like to keep this under $2000. Here are some that I found.

Denafrips Pontus 12 $1500

Ali express Denafrips 15 $1518 plus ship

Aqua La Voce. ???

Ayre Dx9. I think these are old but have good rep. I think it s Delta Sigma

Chord ??

Gustard. R26 mixed reviews

Bel Canto ???

i will not be updating amp and preamp. Thank you in advance.

The brands are exploding, but thank you in advance for your suggestions. 

 

128x128daledeee1
baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,432 posts
 

I have been down that long upgrading the streaming road too. Like you I started with the Node 130, then added a Teddy Pardo LPS using USB to a Gustard X26 PRO. Then moved on to a Innuos Zenith mk3 still using the USB connection. Then got a DDC to use the I2s connection. Then switched to a Gustard A26. Still looking for more, forked out bigger moneys and got an Audio Mirror Tubadout V tube dac. Not to mention the ethernet switch, optical ethernet line clean-up and countless cables and fuses changes. Bottom line is, if you can budget it, everyone of those steps got me closer to music nirvana to my ears. To the point now that my streaming is arguably better sounding than my vinyl or CD gear, and that's no easy task in my house of stereo. Enjoy the journey!

 

kingbr
355 posts
 

Totally agree with @soix in adding the DDC. Adding the DDC to my Pontus was on par with when I added the Pontus. I was originally going to go with Iris, however I needed the flexibility for the additional inputs Hermes offered...Game changer adding the DDC!

rick_n's avatar
rick_n
231 posts
 

I think you may not get everything the Zen has to offer if you spend less on you DAC than the streamer.  The DAC will have more bearing on what you hear than the streamer.  

 

Take a hard look at Holo Audio and Denafrips.  They should be a very good pairing.  Good luck and cheers.

durangoat
21 posts
 

Chord Qutest is a great DAC...

j_andrews
147 posts
 

I am using an Innuos Pulse Mini with the built in dac.   But looking to pick up an external dac if it would be an improvement.   I had a Denefrips ares ii. but sold it.   I currently have a border patrol in another system that I like.   Was thinking of an MHDT....or maybe trying to find a Lab 12, Aqua. or Audio Tubadour on the used market.

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