The ZEN Sound
Contents
So what does such a ZEN sound like? Is there any difference at all?
To be honest, that’s kind of hard to determine, because it’s not directly A/B comparable; the network path is different AND we can’t just A/B compare with ROON, because we don’t have infinite licenses lying around.
However, in order to evaluate the sound influence, we did connect the Sonnet Pasithea dac to the ZEN via USB and via Bubble we could stream from the ZEN and use our NAS as a media server.
Calmness and 3D!
Remarkably, the Sonnet sounds very good on the ZEN. And that while we do not consider the USB input of the Sonnet to be the best connection. That’s why we use the Mutec MC3+ that converts USB to AES. But the Sonnet Pasithea to the ZEN is really incredibly good. The USB port of the ZEN must contribute to that.
What we hear is a wonderful 3D image, lots of calmness and excellent layering. We have to admit that we did not expect this at all.
UPnP?
Now it gets a little crazy… because as I’m sure some readers know, your author knows a thing or two about networking and protocols. And technically, there should be no sound difference possible between servers at all. UPnP is UPnP and a data packet is a data packet. And yet there is an audible difference between streaming from the media server on the Synology NAS and the ZEN. The ZEN simply sounds better: more fluid, more calm and a little more warmth in the midrange. This is particularly audible on Massive Attack’s Angel where the bass kick has more power. This requires some additional research because it is totally inexplicable…. After all: same network, same file … same data packets. Very odd.
CD ripping
To complete the picture, we also ripped CDs with the ZEN. One of our reference tracks is “Blauwe Ruis” by Blof. This because of the Q-sound effect that immediately shows how the system performs in terms of imaging.
Again, we can be brief: the rip of the ZEN is better than a rip on a standard PC. More definition is overtly audible than in the standard rip we made over a decade ago. This is a bit annoying, because now we get the urge to rip everything again. Purely because we know we can do better!
Rounding off
Does a music server have an impact on playback? Yes… How this is possible is, of course, the big question. But it does have an impact. Via UPnP, a difference was definitely audible between the media server on the Synology NAS (standard server) and the ZEN.
A nice bonus is the excellent CD ripper as well as the nice USB port. The Sonnet has never sounded so good via USB. In short: Innuos has done its homework.
Thank you for the review and glad you pay attention to INNUOS. The ZENITH MK3 is an improved version of the ZEN (MK3) as tested here. ZENith mk3 comes with a 3 rail regulated power supply for the motherboard, SSD and USB connections. And you can hear that!
Both were released in 2018 and are still excellent. Also the top model was and still is the Statement, with a power supply in a separate housing; the same size as the streamer itself! Incidentally, all INNUOS- power supplies are designed by Sean Jacobs, one of the best in the business. They are ‘extremely low power streamers’, which benefits sound quality.
The ‘USB output’ can be improved with external add-on of the INNUOS PhoenixUSB.
CD ripping can be set to FLAC or WAV format; the latter should sound better without the compression.
In 2023, INNUOS released the PULSE and PULSAR, which no longer have an SSD and a CD ripper and are designed exclusively for streaming. The PULSAR has three independent power rails, one each for: 1) the operating system on APacer SLC memory, 2) the ‘USB output’ with a modular reclocker that can be replaced on request (in 2024), and 3) the motherboard.
The INNUOS Sense APP is highly appreciated by users for the perfect integration of your entire music library on SSD, NAS and TIDAL/QOBUZ.
I understand that you are busy with streamers, among other things, but I highly recommend testing the latest INNUOS PULSAR.
Good luck!
PS.
You wrote : ”It is not possible to stream from Tidal and Qobuz to UPnP clients”.
I can stream Tidal to clients ‘UPnP servers’ (INNUOS terminology) and SONOS speakers with my ZENith without any problem. This should work.
Maybe try: under SETTINGS > SYSTEM UPDATE, check if the latest version 2.4.7 is installed. You can also try to turn SETTINGS > UPnP > Sense UPnP integration on and off once and/or the same for the UPnP function.
CONTACT support available in the same SETTINGS menu is super helpful. If you are offered help, immediately ask if Nuno Vitorino will soon have a PULSAR available for ALPHA-audio ;-).