Innuos ZenMini mk3

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Күн бұрын

Jay and Vilip discuss the phenomenal Innuos ZenMini mk3. They will do a set up tutorial in a follow up video
If you liked the video, please subscribe and turn on the notification so you will know when we upload a new video. As always, we would love to hear from you, so please leave your comments and feedback below. If you have suggestions for future topics, please let us know.
Audio Excellence Inc. is a high end audio/video store in Markham, Ontario, Canada, a suburb of Toronto. We've been in business since 1991.
Check out our interviews with designers like Daryl Wilson of Wilson Audio, Paul McGowan of PS Audio, Paolo Tezzon of Sonus faber, Wendell Diller of Magnepan and others.
Our website is www.audioexcellence.ca
Contacts:
Adrian@audioexcellence.ca
Vilip@audioexcellence.ca
Jay@audioexcellence.ca

Пікірлер: 70

@AlexanderTG3 4 жыл бұрын

I would love to see a comparison video between the ZEN Mini + LPS vs. Lumin D2/U1 Mini

@labalo5 4 жыл бұрын

I always drool when i watch you guys’ intro. Such HiFi pr0n - amazing!

@andrelevesque2405 3 жыл бұрын

As good as the Zenmini is on its own, the LPSU made an enormous difference in my setup. Rats! Made me juggling now adding the Reclocker... And, guys, that customer really should have tried it with the LPSU, not the switching power supply it’s equipped with; would have changed the sound from grainy to detailed.

@rasardo1 4 жыл бұрын

Hello, I do know very well Innuos, not only because I'm portuguese, but also because I've heard almost the entire servers line. The external linear power supply really does make a difference (better soundstage, microdetails, low frequency articulation). At home I've got my Lindemann Limetree bridge + Farad Super 3 LPS connected to my Weiss 202 DAC. It sounds excelent, by the way. When you do an A-B test it is worth to try both the excelent Lindemann Musikbook and Auralic G series.

@morespinach9832 2 жыл бұрын

I’m comparing Limetree to Lumin u1 mini and innuos zen mk3

@andyrocha 2 жыл бұрын

@@morespinach9832 which one did you like the best especially between Lumin and Innuos? Cheers!

@RearEntry 4 жыл бұрын

Just got mine yesterday it sounds way better than my macbook acting as a streamer even with an external DAC

@tckurth1 4 жыл бұрын

Great discussion and helpful info.! Would love to see more images of the products you are discussing such as showing Innuos product including rear inputs, etc. vs. just seeing you sitting there talking about it and describing technologies. Show Roon UI, you guys interacting with the product in some way, plugging it in, setting it up, or at least showing it in some way. WE WANT TO SEE THE ITEMS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, EH? THANK YOU!

@Maccaboy1984 4 жыл бұрын

tckurth1 totally agree, I think they’ve set up as an audio/podcast but as they’ve gone to the trouble of having video it would make sense to use it

@sashbar 4 жыл бұрын

I am using Zen Mini with Nikola linear PSU and Naim DAC V1 and it sounds great.

@bugslayer1127 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great review! Can you guys add an update now that you've had more experience with the Zen Mini? I'm especially interested in how it works as a Roon Core since Roon says that Innuos does not meet its minimum requirements to function as a Core.

@johnvalatos4073 4 жыл бұрын

Great review. Wish there was more about how it compares with Lumin. But Innuos is the best streamer for me and is why I am saving up for one. Didn't know the ZenMini had a built-in DAC, but I'd go for the next model up without the DAC. Best value for the features makes a lot of sense. Wish it was a little less expensive for me. CD ripping, Rune Core and UPnP (so I can stream from a NAS) are the features I really like. Don't care that there is no wifi or Bluetooth connectivity. If it placed far from your router you can always go Ethernet over Powerline.

@sashbar 4 жыл бұрын

It makes more sense to go for a cheaper Zen Mini Mk2 that has no DAC, to add a linear PSU and a good DAC with asynchronous USB, as this is the best sounding output.

@johnvalatos4073 4 жыл бұрын

@@sashbar That is a good option, would be cheaper than the Zen model. Two boxes over one Zen with toroidal. I wonder which sounds better if at all.

@sashbar 4 жыл бұрын

@@johnvalatos4073 All I can say I am still using ZenMini Mk1 with Nikola PSU and Naim V1 DAC and it sounds wonderful. It completely trounced my old Resolution Audio Opus 21 GNS modded CD player, which is a true high-end player. USB output for Zen is best sounding. So the asynchronous USB DAC is the best match. A good USB cable is important. No need for anything exotic, but a mid-market WireWorld Starlight 7 or Chord Silver Plus are both great albeit a bit different.

@morespinach9832 2 жыл бұрын

@@sashbar for Limetree Bridge I don’t know if I have a usb output into my RME dac. Which LPS do you recommend?

@sashbar 2 жыл бұрын

@@morespinach9832 Either the Innuos ZEN own LPS or Nikola from Fidelizer, both are similar quality

@Fred-ql3gq 4 жыл бұрын

What I don't like about the Innuos is the internal storage, which is not removable. Backup to your own device, yes-- but you can't remove the internal storage, so if it fails, you have to ship it back to Innous. The Roon Nucleus allows your own storage, which you can remove and swap out. Plus, you pay a lot for jumping from 1TB to 2TB or 4TB.

@lw2978 4 жыл бұрын

This might depend on where you are living as to the cost difference. In the Uk, there is a £600 (750usd) difference between the Zen Mini MkIII 1tb and the Roon Nucleas (£899 vs £1500). In the Us, the Zen seems to be around $1249 whereas the Roon is $1399 mrsp. I went for the Zen, although I guess they are struggling to build them quick enough, it's been on order for a couple of weeks now. 'Wondering whether I should have got the LPSU at the same time, with 10% (key-worker) +£50 off when ordered together. Oh well, will probably try a Baldwin 50A LPSU instead. Looks great value for £165!

@juliangst 4 жыл бұрын

How good is the dac inside? Especially compared to DACs like Topping D90 or Denafrips Ares 2.

@BradReid 4 жыл бұрын

Denafrips Ares 2 seems to be better. The sound is relatively muscular compared to other inputs I've been using with the Denafrips. Up till now the best I had was a reclocked Ipad Pro, but the Zen Mini definitely outdoes that.

@rickcarlson5916 3 жыл бұрын

How about an update with Innuos Sense os?

@f.troiani5937 4 жыл бұрын

Guys, would a Mini mark III work well straight to a pair of decent active speakers (say Dutch & Dutch)? And in such case, how would volume be controlled since neither the Innuos nor the speakers have switches -would it be the InnuOS app alone?

@PlunderRoad 3 жыл бұрын

Have you guys checked out the Small Green Comp. MicroJukeBox or Brennan B2? Thanks for the detailed information.

@yannick930 3 жыл бұрын

I'm actually using an audioquest jitterbug right now but i'm considering the innuos because of everything i'm earing about the sound improvement. But i want a better integration of music streaming services like Tidal, Qobuz or amazon HD. I want a real app on my phone with easy access to those services.

@gw61 4 жыл бұрын

Hey guys! Great videos. I have the Brooklyn DAC+ with simaudio moon mind2 and no server. Which one of these would I have to get for equivalent or better sound? Also is there on that is also a preamp?

@BradReid 4 жыл бұрын

Where did you guys hear about Innuos preparing their own dedicated app? I'd like to read up on that.

@juanmillaruelo7647 3 жыл бұрын

Paul McGowan from PS Audio uses a Mac mini. He was genuinely surprised online when reading a question from a viewer "where do I plug in my DAC?" "Well, I use a Mac Mini. A streamer? Nah!". It may or may not be "optimized", but I'd love to see SINAD tests by ASR to be truly convinced. Apple has paid attention to the audio crowd. More than other computer makers... A bespoke computer dedicated to the task provides convenience, but we need a streamer glut to keep prices reasonable which is what happened with dacs. So bring them on. Then builders will have to walk the extra mile to build truly outstanding products like the RME ADI-2 FS.

@rikhav79 4 жыл бұрын

Hi guys, who owns audio excellence out of the three of you ? As usual excellent informative video

@pharoahamunra 4 жыл бұрын

a quick google search told me Adrian owns it.

@AudioExcellenceCanada 4 жыл бұрын

@@pharoahamunra This is correct

@ptg01 3 жыл бұрын

@@AudioExcellenceCanada Someday, when the US/Canada border opens up, I would love to visit y'all and have some world class amazing regional Chinese cuisine in Markham !!! All the best..

@mischugo 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video. But, for Roon, are 4GB RAM enough? Zonen, DSP ....

@shannonwilliams6623 3 жыл бұрын

Can the usb on the unit be used to hook up a external dac, and what do you recommend coax or usb?

@AwkwardLe 4 жыл бұрын

I also see you guys stock the bluesound node 2i products, can you comment on this compared to the innous mini mark iii. Thank you!

@juanmillaruelo7647 3 жыл бұрын

Bluesound Node 2i is less fancy, but it does the job well for considerably less money. It's a bit fussy to set up. Once set up it works very well. I always advise using a good external dac, but the one in the recent Bluesound is quite acceptable. You can always insert a good dac later.

@marks.2909 4 жыл бұрын

Audio Excellence I just happened to come across your channel So hello ! I’d be very much interested in listening to a Innuos server , I still use a transport and separate dac and want to move to a server , I’m not interested in streaming at all and more interested in ripping my music . Do you carry the full line of Innuos ? I’d like to listen the mid line server .

@jeromejax8675 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Jay Hru? I am in the market to add a server to my system. I have decided on a Innuos product. My current system is a pair of Kanta 2 speakers, a Lumin T2 Dac powered by a Prima Luna HP Dialogue Int. Amp w/ KT150 power tubes. I also two F2 Seaton Submersive subs. All Equipment is plugged into the AQ 5000 Power Conditioner. My question for you is bet the zen mk3 or zenith mk3 which product would be a better match from my system. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

@RumblestripDotNet 4 жыл бұрын

OK Jay get a USBridge Sig and tell us how it compares to the Innuos.

@HungryEatNow 4 жыл бұрын

Can wave be tagged with album art? Automated or atleast an easy way

@erikbuijsman3097 4 жыл бұрын

Atoll st200 signature ??

@xstensl8823 Жыл бұрын

i don't need a hard drive, just a streamer

@Dyejcop 4 жыл бұрын

Still no SACD of DVD-A ....

@Frost4 4 жыл бұрын

If this thing is based on the Logitech Media Server and I assume it is, it should be able to play dsf Files. It looks like the ZenMini comes with a build in DVD drive, so the question is can it rip the dsd track from a SACD

@juliangst 4 жыл бұрын

It's a CD ripper not CD player, and you can't rip SACD

@Dyejcop 4 жыл бұрын

@@juliangst yes you can... :) DVD or blue ray also can be ripped why sacd is such big problem

@juliangst 4 жыл бұрын

@@Dyejcop ah I didn't know that. For me normal CD is good enough 😅

@benoitdugas745 3 жыл бұрын

Would you say it's a bluesound node2i on steriods?

@klepp19 Жыл бұрын

Bluesound is same league as Sonos. Can't even beat iFi Zen stream.

@sumitagg1 4 жыл бұрын

Need comparison to a dedicated Mac mini as a server connected over ethernet

@brandonburr4900 4 жыл бұрын

It's no contest vs the apple mini. Any time you comparing a dedicated purpose build streamer to any pc or Mac, the dedicated streamer wins in terms of sound quality.

@sumitagg1 4 жыл бұрын

Brandon Burr should have been more precise. Could u compare the Innuos with the melco?

@brandonburr4900 4 жыл бұрын

@@sumitagg1 it's all around better. More black background, dynamics, bass extemtion, trebble ,soundstage, all the little nuances that you can't with the mac mini. Perhaps somebody could comment on the Melco and the innuos compare. That would be more even or fair since both or purpose build streamers. Another option is try a streamer such as a sonore microrendu. I have had one of them for years and it's terrifc . Purpose built for audio and will just keep getting better if you decide to get a better linear power supply down the road.

@criticalshot516 4 жыл бұрын

USB output?

@brandonburr4900 4 жыл бұрын

I appreciate this video on a more "sane" level innuous streamer. So many of these streamer these days with wildly varied pricing. I find in fascinating how much devices still uses logic tech (aka slim devices) from way back when I first started using squeeze box players in 2006 ish. Still have several of the, players around they still work for streaming spotify, tidal, Pandora, Internet radio etc. Their was a nice upgrade market back than upgrading them and doing external power supplies to make them better. Im using ipeng to control a sonore microrendu streamer/ethernet/network device that is purpose built for streaming as well. Minus the harddrive. Time and technology marches on but it's good to see more purpose built devices for this instead of laptops and pcs. Their is software out there that will turn old pc and laptops into streamer jplay, vortexbox, and euphony. Those last 2 based on Linux also. One thing I have found that really effects the sound quality of these software player like jplay is playing from ram. One word of warning is that these software can be controversial online. Once you have tried them it's rather eye opening and hard to listen to other streamers. Not a convenient as a streaming box. And than you start to go down the never ending rabbit hole of upgrading everything in your pc like ram, solid state hard drives, purpose build low noise usb cards , purpose built network streaming cards (all these externally powered of course), Windows operating systems stripped down for fewest threads and processes running....it never stops. This would be for folks who like to tinker with pcs. All in one streaming boxes offer a nice plug and play option. Thanks for the review and be curious how good the unit is with the external power supply is. Though with the external power supply your starting to venture closer to aurender entry-level streamers 😀

@cliffordcostley9798 4 жыл бұрын

Is this better than the Brennen B2?

@timw.9466 4 жыл бұрын

I was considering the Brennan b2 and a reviewer referred me to the Innuos zenith mk3, I must say it provides a whisper quiet analogue sound to the digital streaming, I had honestly wanted something to download all metadata along with exceptional organizing of my considerable CD catalogue, it's been tremendous. Coming from a mac mini this is much more user friendly and makes a great pairing with my Lampizator lite 7 dac. I think the products are revolutionary in this category. Innuos Zenith mk3 Revelation audio labs prophecy cryogenic silver Ethernet ij45 cat 8 cable ,2 runs Transparent XL reference rca Wireworld silver starlight USB cable Lampizator lite 7 SET dac 32 /396 PCM, 256 dsd, Sophia electric 2a3 SET, PS Vane 101d,waiting on western electric 300b different tubes for different music. Shunyata venom, and venom digital. Powercords Klipsch Cornwall mk3 103 db sensitive Transparent reference speaker bi cables Plinius SA 102 SS pure class A or... 100 watts Dared VP 845 SET pure class A tube integrated 18 to 30 watts VPI Prime Super Scout white turntable Transparent reference phono cable Kiseki purple heart cartridge Herron vtsp mk 2 phonostage Also have a highend hometheare, stereo...

@cliffordcostley9798 4 жыл бұрын

@@timw.9466 Quite a rig. Thanks, I'll look into it. Which version did you purchase there are many not to mention the MINI ("... devil made me do it.").

@briancampbell7712 4 ай бұрын

Notice how Vilip kept trying to quite Jay from telling the truth about this product...as soon as Jay said about this being more to warm and grainer than the Lumin...now I don't think Vilip is an honest guy...Vilips is it all about marketing for sales and good company relations🤔...I like to hear the truth of a product...not a sales pitch for your wallet Vilip🤑

@sumitagg1 4 жыл бұрын

Mac mini shouldn’t be very noisy if you just take ethernet out from the Mac mini

@deepee1544 4 жыл бұрын

Could not watch past 1:18...

@klepp19 Жыл бұрын

I'm not convinced Innous mini can beat iFi Zen on basic streaming outputing music maybe the higher Zenith model

@carlosr.2027 Жыл бұрын

Ifi zen streamer is a $400-$500 unit with no dac and have to use a 3rd party app and many reports of glitches freeze, drops out issues ; what Dac are you using , why is it better then the zen mini that’s has built in ripper and dac you mean sound quality, please elaborate, I hear wiim pro is good for $149 and out class ifi zen streamer ,thanks

@klepp19 Жыл бұрын

@@carlosr.2027 I have two Zen streams one going to Musical Pegasus and one going to Denafrips Pontus II. Previously had Bluesound Node N130. Your wiim and Innous mini and my Zens probably same league for app streaming. No upsampling. Zen when hard wired is solid only on wifi cuts out sometimes. I know someone who has Lumin U2 mini and Zen with aftermarket power supply (which I use) is very close or could be read as same as the Zen. Btw I use USB out to my dacs. Only use Spotify and signing up Qobuz this weekend as cancelled Tidal.

@carlosr.2027 Жыл бұрын

@@klepp19 Considering a all in one streamer/dac with all bells and whistle , lumin d2, *Cambridge cxn v2 the most affordable and likely buy *, Hifi rose rs250 *to expensive not likely ,Innous zen mini maybe-*not sure internal dac are entry-leve from what I’ve read *or streamer stand alone like the mercury v2 , ifi zen streamer , wiim pro, bluesound node 2 with external dac like schiit bitfrost 2 , DENAFRIPS ARES II, RME ADI-2, Musical Fidelity MX-DAC, and make sure external dac and streamer has usb audio out/in and i2s , which option would give best bang for buck ,and would a $500-$1000 dac with a $500-$700 streamer make a difference in sound quality over a all in one stream/dac units ?

@klepp19 Жыл бұрын

@@carlosr.2027 Lumin D2 is probably a good choice as well as iFi Neo Stream. Let me know what you think?

@carlosr.2027 Жыл бұрын

@@klepp19 I found a use lumin d2 with a sbooster lps Intalled for $1200, could I do better sound quality if spend $ on separates denafribs ares 2 with a ifi zen streamer or mercury v2 =$1200 or lumin d2 +sbooster= $1200 ?