Innuous Zenith Mk3 and Phoenix vs Esoteric N-05XD

Let me through a big curve ball. I suggest that you try the MSB discrete with the renderer module. Add a gigafoilv4 with the ifi elite power supply.  This should run about $15,000 usd. This would allow you to get rid of all the Innuos gear and run roon on a Mac mini or nuc with more processing power and better interface and library management too. The renderer is also a roon endpoint. 
 

My friend and I compared both an MSB discrete and Reference with this setup vs the same dacs fed by the Innuos statement with Phoenix net. We both were shocked that the gigafoil setup sounded better and more real with less digital glare. This was on a system with Estelon X Diamonds, MSB s500 and a stromtank. I found the same results at home with my system with Rockport Atria II and Dan D’Agostino momentum M400s and Momentum HD pre. 
 

I am not sure if this is in you budget but if you are looking at esoteric it may be. 

The best way to make a decision would be to try the gear you're considering in your own system. However, that may not be easy to arrange.

I can see the lure of the Esoteric N-05XD as a streamer/DAC, but I'm not sure that DACs and streamers will evolve at the same rate, which would argue for separate components instead of a combined solution.

I can tell you what I have decided to do with my streaming system. I already have an Innuos Zen Mk3 and a PhoenixUSB, which I like a lot. Your Zenith plus PhoenixUSB should be slightly better than what I have. I also have a PS Audio DirectStream DAC, which I am trading in on the new Mk2 version of that DAC. You should be able to get a $2600 trade-in credit for your current PSA DAC, which means that you could buy the Mk2 DAC for about $5600. I would expect that the DS DAC Mk2, combined with the Zenith and PhoenixUSB, would sound great without costing you too much additional money. (On the topic of the Innuos Sense app, I can only say that I like Sense a lot and am confident that this app produces the best sound possible with the Innuos gear. I also use a Network Acoustics ethernet filter prior to the Zen, which cleans up ethernet noise coming in and improves the sound of the streaming system further.)

If you're wondering about the sound of the new PS Audio Mk2 DAC, check out comments from users on the PSA forum. Also, Audio Excellence just put out a video review comparing the Mk2 DAC to the DAC in the Lumin P1. The listeners much preferred the sound of the new Mk2 DAC from PSA. The Lumin P1 sells for $10K, and Robert Harley gave a rave review in TAS just a few months back to the same P1 DAC that Audio Excellence found inferior to the less expensive DirectStream Mk2. I think the Mk2 is likely to be a better value than many higher priced DACs, especially since you could get it for under $6k and with a 30-day trial period. And I definitely think a new DAC will improve the sound of your streaming system at a more reasonable cost than most other options.

I should have been clear. I don’t stream and have no desire to. I do have the Phoenix re-clocker and not the Net.  I was told i could just attach an 8tb SSD or HDD to the back of the Esoteric as its storage. My friend is very high on the DAC in the N-05XD.  I guess i was wrong that it's the same DAC as its more expensive cousin , but I;m told by two different dealers (yes they sell it) that it's a terrific DAC and would keep me from having to spend an extra thousands on new DAC..saves on power cords vs the two box Innuos, and saves an expensive USB cord too. I'm torn because it means starting over with new software, loading music, getting rid of existing Innuos. (friend just thinks better sound with Eso and no more dollars for Dac but maybe for new Master Clock)  I can't audition any of this.  I just have to make a decision.  I actually save a few grand by going the Esoteric route because i can save on one extra power cord not buying DAC.  I really do like the Innuos sound but i don't know what i don't know.

New car syndrome? The sound improvement will be marginal and the new software will have its own quirks and irritations. Buy a stand alone dac. 

Bossa, thanks for the clarifications. I thought that streaming was part of the picture for you, but I guess not. I still think that your choice of DAC is a very important decision. I have never heard any of the Esoteric DACs myself, but I have read online that at least one enthusiastic Esoteric fan prefers the new DirectStream Mk2 DAC to the DAC in the more expensive ($20K) Esoteric N-01XD streamer/DAC. His comments focus on greater resolution, clarity, and openness with the DS Mk2. Of course, this is just one user, and the N-05XD may sound different. 

Regarding the Innuos Sense app, I have never tried to include files from external drives in playlists. I have experienced no problems in creating playlists that combine files streamed from Qobuz and files stored on the Zen's internal hard drive. I do hear from other users that Roon has a more elaborate file management system than Sense does and can be used with Innuos gear (though perhaps with a slight drop off in sound quality).

I would still recommend a stand-alone DAC, as several others have recommended. Many people simply think it's a bad idea to combine a noisy streamer/display screen in the same box as a DAC. Since you don't want a streamer anyway, why pay for one? Good luck in your search for the right decision for you.