That’s what’s great about the 30 day trial period. We get to determine that for our selves. So far every PS audio upgrade I have made has been very positive so I’m sure the MKII will compete with much higher priced Dacs. I just got the call, I’ll be getting my beta unit in a week or two.
3 Likes
No - the DAC is a DAC only (correctly so, IMHO) 
1 Like
That is correct.
An Air Lens or similar device will be required “in front of” the MK2 which accepts an “Ethernet” signal and outputs in a manner consistent with one or more of the MK2’s inputs.
Ethernet port is in place of SD card slot for software updates.
Although it has a USB port marked FW as well. Could be for updates via usb stick.
That is correct also. In the past some had trouble updating FW to DS using the internet. So, USB stick is another option for FW updates.
Yes, you will be able to connect the ZENith Mk3 directly to the DAC via usb. Or connect the Phoenix to the DAC (if you are running ZENith+Phoenix).
That’s what Paul said.
You are right, there is a USB input. I just never used it. So, ignore my post above yours.
I confirm you that I’m able to connect the ZENith MK 3 to the DS DAC (actually MK I and therefore it will work similarly with the MK II I suppose) via USB in this way;
ZENith > PhoenixUSB > Matrix (I2S) > (I2S) DS DAC
ZENith > PhoenixUSB > (USB) DS DAC
ZENith > (USB) DS DAC
In order of SQ results IME.
Actually I have also the PhoenixNET feeding the ZENith to clean ethernet. And the difference is remarkable.
As soon as the DS DAC MK II and the AirLens will be available my aim is to compare LAN vs USB in my system as follow:
USB = ZENith > PhoenixUSB > DS MK II
vs
LAN = PhoenixNET > ZENith > AirLens (I2S) > (I2S) DS MK II
Innuos suggests to always connect a streamer/bridge (AirLens) to the PhoenixNET rather than to the second ethernet output port of the ZENith, called “streamer”.
I hope to eliminate the Matrix in any case and secondly to find out what sounds better in my system between USB and LAN/I2S, to sell what I’ll find out no more necessary.
Cables involved in my experiment are:
AQ Dragon power cords
Pink Faun USB (ZENith > PhoenixUSB)
AQ Diamond USB (PhoenixUSB > DS DAC)
AQ Diamond RJ (router > PhoenixNET with Pink Faun LAN isolator)
AQ Diamond RJ (PhoenixNET > ZENith)
Pink Faun Ethernet cable (PhoenixNET > AirLens)
AQ Dragon 48 HDMI (AirLens (I2S) > (I2S) DS DAC)
4 Likes
Are you using Sense OS at all or just Roon? If you have did you compare the two to see if there’s a difference in SQ? I know Roon will work with AirLens, but I’m not sure Sense will.
Hi Donald, long debate on this argument…
Yes I’m using Sense App that I’m finding better than Roon as for SQ (while Noon is unbeatable for infos, UI and searching). Take a look at various forums on the web to get more happy Innuos owners that prefer Sense App because the difference “by ear” is remarkable. I compared Sense vs Roon, only using the ZENith both as core and streamer, I don’t know if using different core separately can bring different results.
Yes I’m planning to run Sense App (ZENith > DS DAC) via the upcoming AirLens. @Paul wrote to me on this forum that there is no reason why it wouldn’t work (UPnP) and he is going to test it in Room 2, where a ZENith is already on his rack, as soon as possible.
3 Likes
Thanks Luca! Looks like I will not get Roon anytime soon, and I hope my streamer will work with AirLens. The PhoenixNet sounds interesting, can it work with different brands?
1 Like
Thanks Luca! Looks like I will not get Roon anytime soon,
Careful here…. Roon core execution might have an impact on how Roon sounds. Just because the core can be placed on a myriad of platforms, doesn’t mean that any implementation makes for good sound.
4 Likes
Your analogy makes sense; the core location and implementation maybe very important.
I normally don’t comment on people’s perceptions on SQ. But, I am going to agree with @balldog.
If you think listening to Roon core on a laptop or some other multi-purpose device and are then comparing it to a purpose built appliance running some other S/W solution is a reasonable evaluation, you really need to step back and reconsider your initial premise of comparison.
5 Likes
Excellent information! I’m anxious to hear the results of the USB vs LAN comparison. Any chance you could also include Sense vs Roon on each setup? It would verify operability as well as SQ.
1 Like
I’ve been wrestling with this for some time, also.
I run my core on a Mac mini that only runs Roon. (yeah other processes, but still)
I am intrigued by the Nucleus, but it runs flawlessly on my mac mini. I am intrigued by a NUC running ROCK, but roon runs flawlessly on my mac mini.
Full disclosure: I have NOT compared the sound quality, but a cost (and hassle) -benefit analysis doesn’t make me eager to ditch my mini.
I’m really trying to figure out how the CORE itself can make that much of a sound-quality difference, when we’re just sending the file to all kinds of other network interfaces and DACs and roon-ready endpoints that are NOT the core.
There are tons of threads/posts on the roon forum about this, and roon is fairly clear that they make no claims as far as the core affecting sound quality. (They probably don’t want to claim a Nucleus will sound better, and then have disappointed buyers who want their money back because they can’t hear the difference.)
Bottom line: If you can hear differences, then it matters. If not, then it doesn’t.
(Which is true for any component amiright?!)
4 Likes
Take my impressions with a grain of salt. First of all my “digital” adventure started last summer, so I have a very short experience with server/streamer/software stuff. I previously used a MacMini running Roon via Matrix to the DS DAC. Then I went for the Innuos ZENith running Roon. This brought in my system the real improvement that convinced me to appreciate the “digital” listening, for the first time in my audiophile life I was able to enjoy music streamed from Qobuz as much as I used to do before playing LPs and CDs. Not a subtle thing.
Just referring to sound quality, that is a totally subjective perspective, I finally compared Sense App to Roon and found that another step was possible at no cost in my system. I need to admit that I never tried to separate a server (acting as a core) from a streamer (acting as an end point). I was just happy to pull away the MacMini from the rack, using only one component, the ZENith.
This is the reason why I cannot really judge Roon, having a limited and partial experience.
My Italian enthusiasm often drives me to fall in love with brands, this happened for PS Audio and recently for Innuos. A special natural sound, a sort of signature so to speak, is the quality I’m appreciating more at the moment. So I decided to add the PhoenixNET and the PhoenixUSB. Both of them were able to elevate once again my pleasure, especially running Sense App.
Am I saying that streaming now is better than playing LPs or CDs? No. But I’m lazy and what I’m hearing is good enough to stream 90% of my listening time.
Am I saying that my “digital” journey is at the end? Oh, absolutely not! Too much to learn ahead. On both software and hardware side. Step by step I’m just curious to go on this way. The Innuos Statement and the Grimm MU1 maybe, next year… who knows?!
Now I think that it’s time to enjoy music for a while, without the need to upgrade the server/streamer units. The DS DAC MK II and the AirLens will be my next steps. And if I could choose where investing more time and money, I’d go for a totally refurbishment of my room. How wrong things I did here during last years, the only remedy is to rebuild it and this is a big problem if I want to keep safe my health and marriage!
9 Likes
The PhoenixNET (with a Pink Faun LAN isolator inserted in port 1 - input ethernet) was a happy purchase Donald. We have similar systems so I can recommend it without doubt.
What did it bring? Mainly a blacker background because I have the router upstairs with ethernet cables running in the walls for almost 15 meters, close to current cables around the house. Naturalness sound, clean voices, realism in soundstage.
I paid for it less than 2.000 euros (ex demo) but I’m afraid the US price is going up to 3.000 dollars. It works perfectly with the Innuos ZENith but I suppose it is able to work in any system like a normal switch. It’s not only a switch though, take a look at Innuos website, it is described as a clocker too and more…
Before the PhoenixNET I gave a try also to the SR Switch UEF. The Innuos is on another level in my experience, maybe because of other Innuos units I’m using together with it.
Hope this helps.
2 Likes
You are right, the PhoenixNET price is quite higher here even with the strong dollar. I wonder if the AirLens can do as good or better a job as PhoenixNET. time will tell. I need to make sure it can work with my streamer first.
1 Like