Streamer/Server to replace Innuos Zenith

@dfurry, I like your streaming system setup. Presently I’m just using a $20 L-Com Ethernet cable going from my router to my D-Link network switch. But I’ve got a Network Acoustics streaming cable going from the D-Link switch to an ENO Ethernet filter and from there to my ROON Nucleus, which I really love. Is there any need for an upgraded Ethernet cable leaving my router going to my network switch, as Rob Osborne from Network Acoustics told me it wasn’t, or isn’t one really necessary? What has been your experience? Thanks. 

This is so open and so many option exist it is tough to offer a firm direction.  

What you do really depends on the DAC or whether you go DAC only (Chord), DAC & Renderer (Bricasti) or DAC & Streamer (Naim)

First question is are you happy with the Qutest?  It you are, I would get a Roon Nucleus.  It is appropriate in terms of quality for pairing with that DAC and it will give you a nice step up in terms of performance.  No need to go with the Nucleus+ unless you have a massive (100K+ tracks) local library.  Connect via USB.  

If you want to upgrade both, the question is far harder.  You mention above you like Bricasti.  Bricasti DACs with the network card are awesome and pairing with server is very appropriate.  I would pair an M3 with an Antipodes S40.  I would pair the M1 with S40 or K40 depending on your local library and rest of system.  M21 definitely a K40.  

Alternatively, if you went with Rockna, I would take a different approach.  Best results come when thinking holistically.  

Love my Innuos Zenith with the new Sense software. I have no issues and the sound is great. The new Roon 1.8 also sounds good on the Zenith. I find Roon 1.8 now sounds better than the previous version and really on par with Sense now. Two good options. Not sure why you are having so many issues? Strange how it works great for some and not for others. I did not use the Sense remote app however. I just went to “my Innuos” to run Sense.

Run DSP with no issues in the past. Love to better understand why the diverging realities?

The Evo432 sounds interesting. Expensive however.

I had both the Phoenix and Ideon top level reclocker with the Zenith 3, but in the end found they did not offer enough SQ improvement to keep them after purchasing my Mojo Audio Evo dac. The Mojo did not seem to need the external reclocker.

@jmphotography 

Did you purchase another unit? Just curious what you decided on.