Innuos owners. Chime in

I have a Zenith MK2 sitting on Ingress Engineering roller blocks.  I'm using it with a 0.6m Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 USB cable into a Matrix X-SPDIF 2 and a 0.7m i2s cable into my PS Audio DSD DAC.

I've been using Roon for a number of years; I think Sense SQ is much better in every respect.  I'm disappointed with the Sense to Tidal integration because few of my personal playlist were ported over, and some of the Tidal playlists don't show up correctly.  On the other hand, all of my Qobuz playlists were ported over.  

For critical listening in my basement music room, I use Sense.  I run Roon core from a mac-mini for whole house and backyard stereo, and when I want to listed to one of my Tidal playlists in my music room.  

Sense integration issues aside, I'm quite happy with my Zenith setup.

I'm hoping the sound will be better with the Zen mk3. The MacBook pro is a little dry on the highs. Though all other aspects of SQ are really good!

I am myself guilty of impatience @jred , but I think you are a little ahead of yourself as you have yet to receive your ZEN. Just take your time, enjoy what you (will) have, then proceed with upgrades down the road if so inclined, curious, and if budget allows. The ZEN will undoubtedly be a very substantial upgrade as a server / streamer compared to a general purpose computer. You are doing everything possible to prepare for it, including getting the cables and peripherals, thinking about wiring, and so forth. Sometimes we just have to learn to be happy, even for just a while, and enjoy what we have, without thinking too much for what can be better, woulda shouldas

@thyname Agreed. To live in the moment. Though I do not want to be penny wise dollar foolish. Purchasing, Then to resell later to Zenith status could potentially transpire. In attempt I’m trying to future proof the system. Yes. There will always be the next best thing especially in the digital realm.

Pass xa-25... I don’t see that moving anytime soon. Unless I can audition a 30.8 for a week straight with no financial consequence.

The Herron linestage has held its ground, Yes. I’d love to get the 360. Though its still doing a excellent job.

Digital front end as we all know is the equivalent of driving a new car off the lot.

To continue. Here is an interesting example of how we all might have wasted time and money. Tried a carbon usb. Thought it was ok. Though lacking. Went for a Twl usb cord. Not the best match. Though better.. Before both USB cords purchased Curious was on my list. Though at that time. One would rarely see a used in the wilds. Finally obtained a used curious and I’m content. Standard audiophile nervosa of questioning a first / second tier product to another. I’d rather just make one purchase and be done with it.

I’ve noticed many on this thread started with a mini or a zen, and went up the chain. Yes. You learn alot from plug and play. Though at the same time. Why potentially avoid the inevitable.

For myself there has to be a balance of obtaining equipment. Though at the same time balancing that with building a physical library. I usually purchase two albums a week ( cd/vinyl/lossless ) to keep things fresh.
It is not just owning the equipment. We all know this, but listening to old and new music to appreciate what we have in conjunction with our library. I am about 3,000 deep with vinyl, and approximately 2000 in cds..Just like the rest of the folk here

Sometimes I wish my Mom never introduced me to Coltrane when I was 5 years old. I would have been happy with insipid top 40 music. Played lossy on a soundbar.... ha! Yes. We all can be snobs. I’m simply transparent regarding that factor.

I’ve been reading about the Innuos Phoenix USB component lately. The results seem to be all over the map with some reporting a noticeable improvement while others didn’t notice much of a difference. Obviously a lot depends on the rest of the chain. One person reported that adding the Phoenix to his Zenith MK3 closed the gap considerably between the Zenith and Statement. According to him, Statement was still superior but the Phoenix goes a long way in improving an already excellent streamer/server. On the other hand, one youtube reviewer (13th Note Hifi Reviews) didn't find it impressive.

At first, the price seemed rather steep for what it is but after I started to factor in the alternative -- switches (like Etherregen), LPS, reclocker (with its own LPS), power cords, connectors, etc., the Phoenix suddenly does not look so bad. Plus it’s all packaged in a nice tidy single box that will aesthetically match my Zenith MK3.

I would appreciate it if someone who has tried the Zenith + Phoenix combo can chime in. Also, I completely understand that the Phoenix is not a transformative, magical product in the sense that it will turn a frog into a prince. It will improve upon an already great baseline. But still I’d love to hear from folks with first hand experience.