Innuos Zen vs Pulse

Hi,

My Pulse is used solely for streaming Qobuz and Radio Paradise, for which it excels. Connected with AQ Carbon USB & Cinamon Ethernet cables - strangely, the supplied power cable sounded better than the NRG Y3 that I tried  Perhaps the Dr Sean Jacobs designed LPS is a factor there,  but the resulting SQ is beyond dispute to my ears. Cannot comment on NAS as never used one, or experienced any other Innuos products, but the processing is lightening fast. The Sense app is superb for my use, beating BluOS that I still use and streets ahead of the TEAC / Esoteric / Lumin OS.

Thanks @nomorelandings I currently have a Zen MK3... been looking on used market for Zenith to get the upgraded power supply, etc. but I can get a really good deal on a new Pulse so had me thinking...

My gut tells me streaming off the internal drive (my own files) would be a tad better than streaming Qobuz (which I have as well)

Now that the Pulse has been out a while, and they are starting to show up on used market. 

Anyone seen any comparisons of the Pulse vs Zen MK3?

I'm also curious about this now. I've enjoyed a Zen mk3 for a few years now but I've moved over to almost all streaming. Am very curious how the Pulse or even Pulse Mini with LPSU compares to Zen mk 3 for strictly streaming.

I think Innuos is smart in staggering the models so Pulse and Zen don't quite directly compete with one another at the same price point. I have considered going with the Pulsar at some point but that's because I have no need for the features offered on the higher Zen models, which I'm sure are great devices as well. 

Actually, the Pulse and the Zen mk3 are almost the exact same price, which really begs the question which one is better for streaming. Since the pricing is so similar, one would think the Pulse would be. But I'm still curious if anyone has compared them

Bumping to know streaming difference between Pulse and Zen. 

I have the Zen Mini Mk3 with a hotrodded Zen Mini PSU in my northern (England) pad and a Pulse Mini with same hotrodded Zen Mini PSU here in the midlands. I compared them for streaming and they sound identical to me into dCS into ATC actives. I’m assured that the PSU changes mean that my Minis are giving me at least as good sound quality as the full-fat Zen and Pulse.

Innuos will no doubt continue to refine/upgrade both models as they research new components etc and there may well be an offset between implementing that in one and doing so in the other, but this will be due to stock levels of current versions as much as anything. I’ve seen no evidence that they are deliberately differentiating based on sonic performance for some reason and can’t imagine what business logic might compel them to do that...

Basically, the Pulse range is the Zen range without the internal storage; it’s an appropriate and cost-effective response to the obvious market demand for a pure streamer "without the cost and complexity of storage I will never use" as some would say.

I’d buy whichever suits with full confidence in its sound quality. Myself, I’m looking forward to moving up both ranges as funds allow.

@nigeltheflash thanks for posting. Good info. I was wondering if I should trade my Zen 3 in for a Pulse since I only stream these days, but sounds like I can be assured I won't realize a lot of tangible benefit by doing that. Which is comforting for my FOMO lol. Not to mention my wallet. Happy keeping my Zen for now.

@tholt IMHO, absolutely the right decision. Relax and enjoy! 🤗