Innuos Zen Review - Should you invest in a streamer or music server?

[@dhmallet]

I have owned my Zen for over 6 years, more than anything else in my system. I love it, and it is a strong platform for Roon, both Core and player, as well as a streamer.

[@davidlever3107]

Do you already use It?

[@davidgill2520]

Hello from Montreal, very good video. I have this streamer and I love it. This eliminates the need for a CD player and yes you can rip your friends as well. When I started looking into my digital source and streamers, I started with the Sonos connect then the Bluesound Vault. This was all parallel to my upgrade in amplification. The Innuos zen was the next logical choice which. only uses USB to the dac. Their is no Bluetooth connectivity therefore your modem needs to be close via Ethernet. Just to let you know I always bought cds and used a player no laptops with music. The Innuos Is a simplified digital source like the other streamers ( no built in Dac) but with a superior power supply which creates the better sound quality. Then with it you can tweak it like any other component, I’ve added the Phoenix reclocker (yes it’s expensive but worth it) and upgraded cables. We are very fortunate to have so much choice but we can’t always listen and compare., I would start with what you can afford, what’s available in your local area and learn from that. I’m not recommending anything but my digital source is in very good shape now. Take care

[@memeking9729]

Awesome review, thanks for the info!

[@BelieveHiFi]

no problem Zack thanks for watching as always!

[@oscarpow]

Excellent video. I am not convinced the Zen is going to match the sound quality of my cd player (Ayon 5s). I probably should keep buying CDs for a while. Best regards

[@monochromios]

I've just purchased a Mini MK3 with the separate LPSU. I'm very happy with it, great sound, great user interface. With the new interface coming it will be even better. Thank you for sharing

[@BelieveHiFi]

very happy to hear it!! The new interface looks fantastic and I know they have spent a LONG time on it so I am sure its going to run smooth as butter too!

[@phillipmanuel3346]

I dont mean to be offtopic but does someone know of a method to log back into an instagram account..? I was dumb lost the password. I love any assistance you can give me!

[@gusomar7213]

@Phillip Manuel instablaster :)

[@CedricRachmad]

How close does the mini with lpsu come to the Zen?

[@ionutplesea5693]

Hi there, very interesting review, thanks!!! How would you compare the Innuos Zen to the Auralic Aries G1 with regards to SQ alone? They are aprox at the same price point, with the Auralic a little bit better functionality and practicality wise, IMO. I don't know sound wise how would they compare since I haven't had the chance to listen to them. If you can shed light that would be awesome. Thanks

[@Anand.Asrani]

Superb Review ...Very helpful 👍

[@BelieveHiFi]

Thankyou for the kind words Anand :)

[@davidfranks56]

I would a vid, that actually showed how to use this product, recommendations, on best ripping mode, file format, ripping speed. A video showing how to set up a music service that isnt spotify etc.

[@BelieveHiFi]

I could do something like this especially when their new software launches!

[@timw.9466]

Had my Zenith mk3 into a Lampizator lite 7 set dht dac for several years now. Love it . big upgrade soundwise and utility and ease of use. Way better than mac mini which i had for 6 years. Great product . To some its a bit pricey for yhe Zen or Zenith so for them look to the Zen mini perhaps? The Zen App is right around the corner.

[@BelieveHiFi]

love to hear it!

[@Puroplatino]

Nice, I have this Zen MKiii with my LampizatOr Golden Atlantic TRP and I love it 💪🏼

[@stephannordmann5346]

100% right I❤ this streamer

[@klepp19]

For pure streaming Spotify and Tidal I would put my iFi Zen stream against it. Probably same level. I know Zen stream can deliver the musical goods.

[@aleksandratomovska9128]

Is it worth upgrading from a Bluesound node2i?

[@BelieveHiFi]

If you have a separate DAC or the DAC in your integrated is better than the 2i and you are happy with your amp and speakers, then for sure it is. The 2i is a fantastic lifestyle meets HiFi product but it doesnt compete when it comes to SQ in my reference headfi and hifi systems

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

What is the noise interference

[@toffe2ventil]

How did I miss this channel! :-) Great done! I own the H390 and B&W 805D3 with dual B&W DB4S subs. The streamer I use is the Node2i. In your opinion, what would I gain with my system changing to the Innuos zen mk3 soundwise? Br:Kris

[@BelieveHiFi]

To be honest it wont absolutely change your life but definitely you will get a presentation that has a more natural and free sounding presentation with the key noticeable changes coming in the lower frequencies... Also you now can play local files from CDs ripped and a local file is going to always sound better than a streamed file. I mean its probably a good upgrade for your system, just keep in mind it doesnt do wifi!

[@toffe2ventil]

@@BelieveHiFi Thank you very much for your explanation and opinion! Much appriciated.

[@fredalmgren7211]

How do you like the Hegel H390 with the 805d3s? I have Parasound Hint Halo 6 and wondering if upgrade is worth it

[@toffe2ventil]

@@fredalmgren7211 They are a very good match. Super control of the speakers, powerful bass with a super weight to it. The mids and highs are smooth. I would say as good as a match can be...

[@markjaffe7748]

Spit it out already. By the time I finished listening to your video I was ready to scream.

[@BelieveHiFi]

Scream VII - staring Mark Jaffe jokes aside, I probably should add some time stamps, hope all is well

[@josehuan5119]

Does it have its own inbuilt DAC?

[@BelieveHiFi]

no sir it does not! I do prefer that it doesnt!

[@mrunrealizedprofits8431]

the Zen mini mk3 has a dac. im back forth on selling node 2i and getting the Zen mini.

[@BelieveHiFi]

@@mrunrealizedprofits8431 yes the mini does! It will be a jump in quality and then when you upgrade you can go for the linear power supply and get a really nice bump in quality :)

[@mrunrealizedprofits8431]

@@BelieveHiFi thanks for the reply. I’m also back n forth on keeping the node and spending the $ on getting a better dac, as you actually said in this video would be the smart move. That was the original idea bc I had heard the nodes dac was surprisingly good considering it’s price and its main function being a streamer, but having (what I thought) was a pretty decent dac in the schiit multibit made me think the node would only improve SQ from the streaming aspect. But I was WAAY wrong- the streaming did improve SQ but the nodes dac is also WAAY better than my old schiit(to the Point i wonder if there was something wrong with my schiit;). BASICALLY, if your choice was - node + RME or Qutest. -OR, ZEN MINI by itself(for now) Which do you pick? 😉 thanks Like the Channel

[@BelieveHiFi]

@@mrunrealizedprofits8431 ummm tough one.. I think probably the Qutest is what I would do if it was my money. The RME is enjoyable as it has more of a solid feeling centre but the depth and the resolution you get with qutest is just honestly better.

[@anamarija6578]

which Hegel amp is that?

[@BelieveHiFi]

Its the H390, video coming soon!

[@joaoroman9583]

Cant really see the point of ripping cds, unless one can borrow them from someone and rip them and return them to that person. But ripping cds i own? What for? To not move my ass from the couch to swap them? If i want that I’ll use streaming.

[@BelieveHiFi]

Well I used to own hundreds of CDs and I am not the best organizer of things, I also paid for the music and a local file sounds better than streamed so to have them all accessible through tidal or the software when I am doing a mixed listening session is a nice thing to have.

[@georgecav]

Your ripped cd should sound better played from a file. Certainly is in my system. Also I def find wav files more enjoyable than flac files