After watching yet another one of these, all I can say is, please everyone, support Hans' work on Patreon! Hans, with these very useful ongoing server/streamer/endpoint reviews at different price points you've been doing, I feel you are single-handedly filling one of the biggest missing holes in the digital audio review landscape right now, one that I've felt frustrated has been so sparse, and so bereft of a continuous set of comparisons across this category, at different levels. I want to say how much I appreciate how you're going about this, in such an even-handed, thorough, and objective manner that is not afraid to clearly state independent assessments of devices in comparison to each other, while remaining fair and generous toward the strengths of each device and the possible preferences of different listeners. Honest commentary and broad comparisons in this category of device have been much needed and I'm very happy to be a Patron to help support your work here and keep it independent of preferences toward certain advertisers, because this ultimately benefits us the most as consumers. Keep up the great work, and thank you.
Good morning Hans, I have seen your Innuos reviews of the Zen and Zenith Mk3. 4 years later, would which ones would you consider too, for only transport purposes? (NO streaming from internet, only local files). My alternative is to build a customized PC. Thank you. Regards.
I WISH Dear Hans, that you would make some comparisons to Naim sound. I want to move on from the Naim Uniti Core which has a solid reputation for excellent audio. And I want to stay at that level of audio quality. Will the InnuOS Zenith compete well with Naim audio quality? I don’t know and have no way of finding out as I am housebound.
Hans you have reviewed both the Auralic Aries G2 and the Innous Zenith mark 3. Which is the better streamer? You seemed to be more excited about the Auralic
Great post. A suggestion to test : Silent Angel - Bonn N8 Audio Grade Network Switch, Would like to know how it compares against the AQVOX and the SOTM switches .
Hello from Montreal, I purchased this product 6 months ago and I love it. I’m wondering if I still have to consider a so called USB reclocker from this unit to my dac? It seems I do if I want better sound. At the time of purchase I thought that with this unit and a good USB cable plugged into my dac it would be enough for this digital source. Through your videos I discovered how USB works and behaves. Thank you for enlightening me regarding this topic but it looks like I will need add additional equipment , I mean it’s my choice if I want to achieve better sound. Take care and especially during this pandemic we should Enjoy the Music!
There are several audiophile forums discussing this topic and unless you have a top of the line 10,000 euro plus server, most of them recommend the use of a reclocker, with Denafrips Gaia or Hermes as popular "budget" models, both with Femto OCXO clocks (the highest category of Femto clocks).
@@connorduke4619 Hello and thank you for your reply. Since then I have purchased the Innuos Pheonix reclocker. The ones you mentioned didn't exists at the time. The Pheonix I believe was designed for the mini and the MK3. It's expensive but now my digital source is complete. So my Innuos Mk3/Phoenix connects to a Denafrips Venus II dac into newer McIntosh amps and the speakers are the canadian built Verity Parsifals. It's just beautiful. The ripping capabilities of the Innuos eliminates the need for a cd transport/player and the noisy laptop. It's all good.
@@davidgill2520 ps> there are some guys who instead of (or in conjunction with) a reclocker after the server, also do an ethernet RFI noise filtering (with or without reclocking) prior to the server. The popular "budget" model of choice there being the SOtM sNH-10G (requires a good linear PSU though). To this set-up can eventually be added the Network Acoustics ENO Sys ethernet cable to further clean up incoming ethernet noise.
@@connorduke4619 With the Innuos system it's all hard wired. My modem is pretty close to the streamer. It's short cat 7 ethernet cable to it. Any RFI is filtered or separated in the reclocker. We hope... All the usb cables including the power cables are well made and shielded. We can add more boxes to the chain but it also adds more cables and that becomes a bandaid or comprimise. If you're looking to improve your digital side, I would look for the simplest way of achieving that. There are quite a few model right now to give you that. Unfortunately these items are not found in your local shop. What do you have?
Purely sound quality, which is my only interest. G1 sounds softer/veiled compared to ZENith. Have since moved on to dCS Network Bridge, which is another level above ZENith. Haven’t heard G2. Yet!
Could someone please help me. I have watched this carefully and there are still some questions. If I understand this, the Zenith can be used as a streamer ahead of the DAC, or it can be installed ahead of a streamer/net bridge. Why would you not want a streamer upstream of the Zenith, with your streamer being the lead component of the system? Does having the Zenith and a separate streamer in-line create an issue? Thanks.
Using the ZENith connected over USB to your DAC sounds a lot better than using a normal computer. But using a even higher quality streamer or network bridge can sound clearly better.
I have a hard time understanding why streamers should make a difference from a computer science persepective. Can you provide a scientific basis for why an audio file which is buffered in the digital domain, should provide a difference in audio quality? I am not trying to debate here, I just want to understand what doesn't at all seem obvious to me.
I' afraid I can't, not scientifically. Although I will explain some of it in the video that gets on line later today. You could, though, try to listen to it. You would be surprised....
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I bought Zen mk III, and I am really happy with the sound compared to my old BS Node. The Squeezebox controls on the other hand, I am not in love with. It can't even manage a list of tracks to play - just try its Play Next function. If Innuos was not about to release their own control app, I would send it back.
Hans- I had reached out to innous and they said the zenith has a much better USB out. According to them, Both the zen and zenith are the same when connected via ethernet.
After watching yet another one of these, all I can say is, please everyone, support Hans' work on Patreon! Hans, with these very useful ongoing server/streamer/endpoint reviews at different price points you've been doing, I feel you are single-handedly filling one of the biggest missing holes in the digital audio review landscape right now, one that I've felt frustrated has been so sparse, and so bereft of a continuous set of comparisons across this category, at different levels. I want to say how much I appreciate how you're going about this, in such an even-handed, thorough, and objective manner that is not afraid to clearly state independent assessments of devices in comparison to each other, while remaining fair and generous toward the strengths of each device and the possible preferences of different listeners. Honest commentary and broad comparisons in this category of device have been much needed and I'm very happy to be a Patron to help support your work here and keep it independent of preferences toward certain advertisers, because this ultimately benefits us the most as consumers. Keep up the great work, and thank you.
Thank you sir
Love your videos, makes me feel I am in high school again watching educational films in classes. Thank you and paypaled :)
Wow David, thank you very much for your substantial support!
Good morning Hans, I have seen your Innuos reviews of the Zen and Zenith Mk3. 4 years later, would which ones would you consider too, for only transport purposes? (NO streaming from internet, only local files). My alternative is to build a customized PC. Thank you. Regards.
Absolutely go for the Innuos products
I WISH Dear Hans, that you would make some comparisons to Naim sound. I want to move on from the Naim Uniti Core which has a solid reputation for excellent audio. And I want to stay at that level of audio quality. Will the InnuOS Zenith compete well with Naim audio quality? I don’t know and have no way of finding out as I am housebound.
I have the Zen mk3 which I’m very happy with. This does look like a step up but was out of my price range. Great review. Thanks.
Gerry Diamond the Zen will do it all for you & is a fantastic choice..
Excellent information,thank you.
Hans you have reviewed both the Auralic Aries G2 and the Innous Zenith mark 3. Which is the better streamer? You seemed to be more excited about the Auralic
Please see my reviews. They say all I want to say. Watch ruclips.net/video/EykkzxUstL4/видео.html
Does this improve sound quality (a lot) for streaming (e.g., spotify, tidal) as well?
Yes, a lot!
Great post. A suggestion to test : Silent Angel - Bonn N8 Audio Grade Network Switch, Would like to know how it compares against the AQVOX and the SOTM switches .
hi hans. will you be reviewing the dcs network bridge?
Hello from Montreal, I purchased this product 6 months ago and I love it. I’m wondering if I still have to consider a so called USB reclocker from this unit to my dac? It seems I do if I want better sound. At the time of purchase I thought that with this unit and a good USB cable plugged into my dac it would be enough for this digital source. Through your videos I discovered how USB works and behaves. Thank you for enlightening me regarding this topic but it looks like I will need add additional equipment , I mean it’s my choice if I want to achieve better sound.
Take care and especially during this pandemic we should Enjoy the Music!
There are several audiophile forums discussing this topic and unless you have a top of the line 10,000 euro plus server, most of them recommend the use of a reclocker, with Denafrips Gaia or Hermes as popular "budget" models, both with Femto OCXO clocks (the highest category of Femto clocks).
@@connorduke4619 Hello and thank you for your reply. Since then I have purchased the Innuos Pheonix reclocker. The ones you mentioned didn't exists at the time. The Pheonix I believe was designed for the mini and the MK3. It's expensive but now my digital source is complete. So my Innuos Mk3/Phoenix connects to a Denafrips Venus II dac into newer McIntosh amps and the speakers are the canadian built Verity Parsifals. It's just beautiful. The ripping capabilities of the Innuos eliminates the need for a cd transport/player and the noisy laptop. It's all good.
@@davidgill2520 Sounds like a great system you have there and I think a smart move to reclock the signal before it reaches the Dac!
@@davidgill2520 ps> there are some guys who instead of (or in conjunction with) a reclocker after the server, also do an ethernet RFI noise filtering (with or without reclocking) prior to the server. The popular "budget" model of choice there being the SOtM sNH-10G (requires a good linear PSU though). To this set-up can eventually be added the Network Acoustics ENO Sys ethernet cable to further clean up incoming ethernet noise.
@@connorduke4619 With the Innuos system it's all hard wired. My modem is pretty close to the streamer. It's short cat 7 ethernet cable to it. Any RFI is filtered or separated in the reclocker. We hope... All the usb cables including the power cables are well made and shielded. We can add more boxes to the chain but it also adds more cables and that becomes a bandaid or comprimise. If you're looking to improve your digital side, I would look for the simplest way of achieving that. There are quite a few model right now to give you that. Unfortunately these items are not found in your local shop. What do you have?
Wow. Looks like a fine device.
I am using a Zenith MK II all I can say that it is amazing, I am sure the III is off the charts
Which one would you go for from a sound quality point of view; the Auralic aries G1 or innuos zenith 3?
See my review
I sold my G1 and bought the Zenith Mk3.
@@mark.harding why? Functionality, sound? Can you describe the sound change? Did you demo the G2? Cheers,
Purely sound quality, which is my only interest. G1 sounds softer/veiled compared to ZENith. Have since moved on to dCS Network Bridge, which is another level above ZENith. Haven’t heard G2. Yet!
Would note that I wonder whether difference between dCS and ZENith is more about USB vs S/PDIF...
Could someone please help me. I have watched this carefully and there are still some questions. If I understand this, the Zenith can be used as a streamer ahead of the DAC, or it can be installed ahead of a streamer/net bridge. Why would you not want a streamer upstream of the Zenith, with your streamer being the lead component of the system? Does having the Zenith and a separate streamer in-line create an issue? Thanks.
Using the ZENith connected over USB to your DAC sounds a lot better than using a normal computer. But using a even higher quality streamer or network bridge can sound clearly better.
I would love to know if a quality ripped track sounds better than the same track streamed via Tidal or Quobuz over Roon?
The problem is that, to judge that correctly, you have to know exactly the same master is used. And you will never find that out.
I have a hard time understanding why streamers should make a difference from a computer science persepective. Can you provide a scientific basis for why an audio file which is buffered in the digital domain, should provide a difference in audio quality? I am not trying to debate here, I just want to understand what doesn't at all seem obvious to me.
I' afraid I can't, not scientifically. Although I will explain some of it in the video that gets on line later today. You could, though, try to listen to it. You would be surprised....
İ like your analytical approach to digital audio, i would like to hear your opinion about advance paris streamers, thanks
Many thanks Hans
I've been loking for a replacement for my old Bluesound node, which has become the weak link in my system. I think the Zen mk3 may be it for me. Yay!
👍
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I bought Zen mk III, and I am really happy with the sound compared to my old BS Node. The Squeezebox controls on the other hand, I am not in love with. It can't even manage a list of tracks to play - just try its Play Next function. If Innuos was not about to release their own control app, I would send it back.
Great video, very educational! How would you rate the sound quality of the ZENITH MK3 compared to a high-end CD player/ CD transport?
You need a damned good cd-transport to get equal sound quality.
15:20 thank you Hans
👍🏼
Hans- I had reached out to innous and they said the zenith has a much better USB out. According to them, Both the zen and zenith are the same when connected via ethernet.
That makes sense