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Innuos Zenith

New to Audiogon.  Any users have experience with Innuos products?  Heard it at Axpona.  Was very impressive.  Considering upgrading from my computer to a dedicated music server/streamer.  Any feedback on the different models, quality, sound, ease of use, etc.... is appreciated.  My system includes a pair of B&W 803D speakers, McIntosh MC452 amplifier, McIntosh MC C47 pre-amp.
aj72
david12
1,454 posts
 

I agree, I have heard the Zenith and the SE, both are excellent, but the SE a step up. I bought the cooking version before the SE came out, but the earlier version is still excellent. I think they are easy to use and of very high quality. The opposition, Melco and Aurender come to mind are great too, but innuos are cheaper, sound great and the company provide excellent support if you do have problems, at least here in the UK.

 Limniscate, what DAC do you use or have you tried with the SE. I use the Ayre QB9 and am happy with it, but I would like to know your experience.

ron17
607 posts
 
I have owned an Auredner N100h for almost 2 years and have been pretty happy with it. 2 weeks ago I bought the Zenith mk2 SE demo unit being used at Axpona in Chicago (you probably listened to my unit when you were there). In terms of SQ it is several steps up from my N100h (I would say on par with Aurender's N10) but as far as ease of use there's no comparison. I ripped hundreds of CD's and downloaded 20-30 hi-rez files with the Aurender and IMO it was a pain in the butt compared to the Innuos. It was about a 10-15 step process using the Aurender but with the Innuos you insert the CD (into the front of the unit) and it does the rest. It labels, sorts, adds artwork and files it into your library. I think the design team at Innuos decided to make their products as user friendly as possible. Going from the Aurender to the Innuos was a breath of fresh air! If I had gone from the Innuos to the Aurender I would have been very disappointed. Another selling point for me was the ability to use Roon with the Innuos. Innuos gives you the option of using their own software or using Roon. I chose Roon and couldn't be happier. It also integrates seamlessly with Tidal. The Conductor app (that Aurender uses) falls way short compared to using Roon. My unit came with 4 TB's of internal storage which I would recommend unless you use Tidal exclusively. My system is as follows: Zenith mk2 SE / Mola Mola Makua preamp/dac / Simaudio Moon 870a amp / Proac D30r speakers and all Nordost cables..... Hope this helps.
limniscate
241 posts
 
I use the Schiit Yggdrasil with my SE but have also tried an Ayre Codex, Mytek Brooklyn+, Chord Hugo2, and Chord 2qute.

I've also tried a Chord Dave and Ayre QX-5 Twenty my system but not with the SE.
david12
1,454 posts
 

Thanks for that, I use the Ayre QB9 and am pretty happy with that.

 Ron17, you'll need an awful lot of CDs to fill up four terabytes. I agree about ease of use by the way, I now have 2500 CDs loaded and it was really easy. It's quick and metadata is just there most of the time.

 That 2500 has taken up 84% of my 1TB of memory, mostly on FLAC, a few WAV. I'm showing my poor ear now, but I really can not hear much difference between FLAC and WAV. I ripped some favourite albums on both and I struggle to hear a difference.

 If you want to start with 1TB SSD, the company will up the memory at cost. no labour charge, at least again, in the UK. So you can always start with 1TB and add as you need it. Just send off your Zenith with the backup unit and it comes back already loaded up for you.

david12
1,454 posts
 
I forgot to say, there was always a strictly limited number of SE models to be sold. They have been around nearly a year I believe, so if you want an SE, you may need to be quick. The company may have decided to make more I suppose. The basic Zenith can not be upgraded to the SE by the way.
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