Innuos PULSE Mini?

Hi @charles1dad : is the streamer from the Netherlands by any change the Magna Mano MK3 with Farad external power supply? ;-) I had a listening session with this streamer last week at Magna Hifi. I was able to compare the Mano vs Sonos ZP player both hooked up to my own dac: the denafrips ares 2. The Mano was significant better sounding as compared to the Sonos (which was expected of course). The sound was beautiful and it is on my shortlist as my new streamer.

However, then I was notified (in the dutch streaming facebook group) about the Innuos PULSEmini which can also be powered by an external power supply (think it is the same they use as external power supply on the Zen mini).

So a member of the facebook streaming group mentioned:

1. When opting for the Innuos PULSE mini, their Sense app will have Roon-like functionalities when it comes to adding meta-data and music discovery features. (Both the PULSEmini and the Magna Mano mk3 streamer are based on Logitech Media Server (LMS), but Innuos has a Roon-like shell on top of it whereas with the Mano you need to work with the free LMS software (or Volumio, RooopieXL etc.)

2. Do not use Roon, as Qobuz/Tidal via Roon sounds worse as compared to the native app (probably due to the Roon protocol to communicate between Roon core and the Roon endpoint).

3. I’m currently using Tidal, he advise to switch to Qobuz as it will have better sound quality.

So as I don’t need any ripping, serving, storage functionalities, my shortlist currently exists out of the Manga Mano MK3 with external Farad power supply or the Innuos PULSEmini, also with external power supply...

The only reviews I could find so far are:

@happystreamer 

Hi,

Yes I was referring to the Magna Mano Ultra MK III component.  People who’ve actually heard it say that the sound quality is exceptionally good. I had viewed the Hans Beekhuyzen review and he is very,very impressed by it. I appreciate your listening feedback. Choosing a audio streaming component is going to take me some time. Many choices and results from listeners all over the map.

Charles

@happystreamer 

We have nearly identical objectives (No server duties, just online streaming) Roon not necessary. If you or someone in your Dutch community compares the Pulse mini and Ultra MK III let me know. Thanks 

Charles

Why is it so ugly ?? It could sound like angels singing, I can't buy ugly. 

Lack of a screen of any kind, with basic streaming info, is weird (considering the price). No Roon Ready certification yet.

On another note, a dealer told me the PULSE (not the Mini) which he just received, sounds really good.