# Is anyone using a Innuos Zen Mini, Zen Mk 3, or Zenith as a Roon server/core? **URL:** \ **Category:** Network Audio\ **Created:** [January 15, 2021, 5:47pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/is-anyone-using-a-innuos-zen-mini-zen-mk-3-or-zenith-as-a-roon-server-core/21249 "2021-01-15T17:47:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![paul172](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/paul172/32/290439_2.png) [@paul172](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/paul172)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 5:47pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/is-anyone-using-a-innuos-zen-mini-zen-mk-3-or-zenith-as-a-roon-server-core/21249/1 "2021-01-15T17:47:19Z")
Is anyone using a Innuos Zen Mini, Zen Mk 3, or Zenith as a Roon server/core? If so are you using it with a PSA Directstream DAC? I’m also curious if you are using a Matrix spdif with the system? Thanks for any input. ---
**Author:** ![weedeewop](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/weedeewop/32/190064_2.png) [@weedeewop](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/weedeewop)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 6:01pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/is-anyone-using-a-innuos-zen-mini-zen-mk-3-or-zenith-as-a-roon-server-core/21249/2 "2021-01-15T18:01:55Z")
No Roon server/core here. I though it slightly degraded the sound. Supposedly Innuos is coming out with their own app, Spring 2021. I do use a Phoenix and am quite satisfied with the improvement. Not interested in the Matrix, too many add ons, additional boxes, cables and what-not to get the most out of it. Others, Bootzilla, have different preferences, I don’t like the look of all the clutter. I am running a ZENith Mk 3 to a Phoenix to a DSD DAC, Windom. Data cables are WW Platinum 7 USB. Interconnect is an Audio Sensibility Statement Silver SE XLR. My next upgrade might be a different XLR. ---
**Author:** ![stevensegal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/35a633/32.png) [@stevensegal](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/stevensegal)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 11:45pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/is-anyone-using-a-innuos-zen-mini-zen-mk-3-or-zenith-as-a-roon-server-core/21249/3 "2021-01-15T23:45:59Z")
I have been using the Zen MK3 for a couple of years as a Roon Core. Use the experimental mode. If I had the DSD DAC I would happily use usb. As I have Devialet Expert I use the Ethernet output. I heard the Innuos upnp app was imminent. ---
**Author:** ![usama.amin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e274bd/32.png) [@usama.amin](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/usama.amin)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2021, 3:04pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/is-anyone-using-a-innuos-zen-mini-zen-mk-3-or-zenith-as-a-roon-server-core/21249/4 "2021-01-16T15:04:21Z")
I’ve been using a Zen MK3 for about a year now with a DSD and Matrix. It’s been a positive upgrade for me, though did have a fair bit of software problems with the Roon core initially. Required several remote tech support with INNUOS but all good and fixed. I really like it. ---
**Author:** ![paul172](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/paul172/32/290439_2.png) [@paul172](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/paul172)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2021, 4:08am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/is-anyone-using-a-innuos-zen-mini-zen-mk-3-or-zenith-as-a-roon-server-core/21249/5 "2021-01-18T04:08:04Z")
I’m using a Mac Mini as my Roon core/server and while visiting a local Innuos dealer he said I would here a substantial upgrade in sound quality using either a Zen mini or a Zen mk3 for my roon core over the Mac Mini. ---
**Author:** ![usama.amin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e274bd/32.png) [@usama.amin](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/usama.amin)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2021, 6:40am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/is-anyone-using-a-innuos-zen-mini-zen-mk-3-or-zenith-as-a-roon-server-core/21249/6 "2021-01-18T06:40:41Z")
I switched from a Sonictransporter i5 to the Zen MK3, and for me the difference was significant. Not that I didn’t like the sonictransporter, it’s a nice unit but it’s just that the Zen is in another league. I still have the sonictransporter. I should probably sell it. ---
**Author:** ![nycenglish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@nycenglish](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/nycenglish)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2021, 5:24pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/is-anyone-using-a-innuos-zen-mini-zen-mk-3-or-zenith-as-a-roon-server-core/21249/7 "2021-01-18T17:24:25Z")
I have a custom built fanless Linux box, sorta like a SonicTransporter but with Optane, LPS, etc. It sounded really good as a Roon Core and endpoint. Then I bought a Zenith 3 and replaced the Linux box with that, the Zenith was better. Then I tried putting the Linux box back in the system as a Roon core and kept the Innuos as an endpoint only - that config was much better than all before it. Moving the Roon core to another room was a further step up in SQ in my system. ---
**Author:** ![mattjtaylor2809](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/mattjtaylor2809/32/309_2.png) [@mattjtaylor2809](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mattjtaylor2809)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 10:30pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/is-anyone-using-a-innuos-zen-mini-zen-mk-3-or-zenith-as-a-roon-server-core/21249/8 "2021-01-27T22:30:17Z")
Yes, using Mk3 Mini + LPSU as my ROON Core direct into my DSD Jnr via it’s bridged Ethernet & it sound better to my ear (+ others I add) than from my PW Transport to the DAC via Is2. Seems to be a more fuller, richer sound…which you would expect from the transport…maybe?