Innuos Owners and Discussions Thread

Cardiiiii · July 18, 2022

2 hours ago, Silver Audiophile said:

Fuses don't come with directional indicators. It is up to the you to flip it both ways and see which way sounds best. Brand new HiFi gear is shipped from factory to consumer, which in many cases uses cheap generic no name factory fuses. Even, these are directional and are randomly asigned to each new piece of equipment in a random direction. This level of attention to detail by most manufacturers is beyond them.

Peter of GrooveWorks was telling me a story of an Audio show in Melbourne. Jeff Linn (founder of Telos Audio) was with him. In a adjacent sound booth/room, staff were fretting about how bad their brand new HiFi set up sounded, and not knowing what was wrong. Jeff walking into the room, and had a listen. He instantly commented 'try reversing the direction of the mains fuse in the Pre amp'. Everyone was amazed. The ill sound corrected instantly.

I assumed since the Telos fuses are already burned in they might have the direction on them.

Silver Audiophile · July 18, 2022

1 hour ago, Cardiiiii said:

I assumed since the Telos fuses are already burned in they might have the direction on them.

Absolutely, not. The instructions from Telos Audio regarding their new fuses, is specifically to try both direction, and pick the one that sounds best. That will be the correct orientation. After, working out the correct orientation on the first two pieces of gear, the rest of the gear was easy. I knew straight away, if I got it first go or had to flip it round.

Cardiiiii · July 20, 2022

On 18/7/2022 at 11:20 PM, Silver Audiophile said:

Absolutely, not. The instructions from Telos Audio regarding their new fuses, is specifically to try both direction, and pick the one that sounds best. That will be the correct orientation. After, working out the correct orientation on the first two pieces of gear, the rest of the gear was easy. I knew straight away, if I got it first go or had to flip it round.

So I installed the fuse, listened to Old Love by Clapton from his Unplugged album. Flipped it, listened to it again, couldn’t really tell if one was better than the other. Let it be.

Just listened to Santorini by Yanni from his Live from the Acropolis album. Still sounded good, flipped it back again and it was fairly similar but the bass was very different. It had this reverb that hit you in the chest that I loved so I’m sticking with it. Thanks for the recommendation.

Silver Audiophile · July 30, 2022

A five minute review of the Innuos Zen Mk3. I agree with everything in the review, especially when he describes the 'sound' of Innuos verse other high end streamers. The Innuos just sounds 'analog' and 'alive', as oppose to sounding just 'dry'.

I found other high end streamers like the Pink-faun 2 16x or the Naim two chassis streamer (separate power and streamer box), just sounded too bright, lean in the mid range, and fatiguing to listen to.

AussieMick · August 4, 2022

Fuse update!

QSA Violet fuse is now in the Zen MK3. Images are freer of the speakers, tremendous depth of soundstage, buckets of well-integrated detail, marvellous separation. It’s only been a few hours, but I’m going to say the jump from stock fuse Yellow has been matched by the jump from Yellow to Violet. I wasn’t expecting that at all, diminishing returns and all.
A Yellow also arrived for my Isotek powerboard and that will go in later tonight.

AussieMick · August 4, 2022

If anyone would like a 3.15A QSA Yellow for their Innuos, I will now be selling mine. Also a 2A Telos X2. PM me if interested.
Mick

Edited August 4, 2022 by AussieMick

lebowski · August 4, 2022

Just bought a new Zen Mk3 .

Looking at USB cables now and interested in what others are using and recommend? Will be feeding an RME ADI-2 DAC FS.

Budget up to $600 but happy to spend $50 and the rest on CD’s.

AussieMick · August 4, 2022

14 minutes ago, lebowski said:

Just bought a new Zen Mk3 .

Looking at USB cables now and interested in what others are using and recommend? Will be feeding an RME ADI-2 DAC FS.

Budget up to $600 but happy to spend $50 and the rest on CD’s.

I’ve had AudioQuest Forest, Carbon and Diamond, and Cardas Clear HS USB between MK3 and TT2. The difference has been pretty obvious and I’m adoring the Diamond. Having said that, I’d happily live with the Carbon. It’s an excellent sounding cable.

Kirby66 · August 4, 2022

9 hours ago, lebowski said:

Just bought a new Zen Mk3 .

Looking at USB cables now and interested in what others are using and recommend? Will be feeding an RME ADI-2 DAC FS.

Budget up to $600 but happy to spend $50 and the rest on CD’s.

I hope you enjoy your Zen MK3 - I've had mine for just over a year now (first server / streamer) and I just love it ... the Innuos Sense app is a brilliant interface and sounds better than Roon etc.

I started with a Curious Evolved USB - it is very good, aussie made and for 1.0m length right on budget @$590 ... https://curiouscables.com/shop/ols/categories/curious-evolved-usb-cables

I am currently running Atlas Macros Grun USB and they (I now have two since adding an Innuos Phoenix USB Reclocker) are excellent but above your 'current' budget ... https://www.atlascables.com/usb-mavros-grun.html

When you can, and if you haven't already, feeding the MK3 with a good ethernet cable should also deliver significant SQ improvements - only when streaming of course - Atlas Macros Grun for me again, Atlas give a really good cost benefit ratio (such a very subjective topic).

You also said "Budget up to $600 but happy to spend $50 and the rest on CD’s" ... well ... I have had a CD habit for many years and truly did not expect that to change, old school and I get satisfaction from having a physical copy. I think I have bought only one or two CD's in the last year ... Qobuz is the bomb and unlike Tidal you can buy a download copy (VERY reasonable prices on a Sublime subscription) to have forever which absolutely sound better off the MK3 hard drive than the streaming version.

Enjoy your MK3, I certainly do

Kirby66 · August 4, 2022

Note ... MaVros not Macros ... stinky auto spell checker !!!

Silver Audiophile · August 5, 2022

18 hours ago, lebowski said:

Just bought a new Zen Mk3 .

Looking at USB cables now and interested in what others are using and recommend? Will be feeding an RME ADI-2 DAC FS.

Budget up to $600 but happy to spend $50 and the rest on CD’s.

Congrats man! Warm, full, detailed organics in sound coming your way soon indeed.

Edit: Just a heads up, new out of the box the Innuos does sound bright and lean for at least the first week of use. I remember with my brand new unit I was going to return it. Fortunately, I persisted as Cameron from Maximedia advised. He was 100% correct. Normally, brand new gear does sound bright and digital, however, I found the Innuos new was the most extreme of all my new purchases. Post break-in period the sound truly is amazing!

As for USB suggestions, I've tried a several. There positively is a discernible audible difference between USB cables.

In the end, it came down to two contenders. The Curious Evolved and Furutech GT2 Pro USB cables.

The Furutech was more detailed and refined, while still retaining the rich fullness in the sound. The Curios cable was a little more expensive and under-performed slightly.

The GT2 pro has OCC copper plated in Silver and interesting array of shielding.

Edited August 5, 2022 by Silver Audiophile

lebowski · August 5, 2022

@AussieMick @Kirby66 @Silver Audiophile , appreciate your suggestions and feedback on various USB Cable options.

I’ll do a bit more research and let you know how I go.

Loving the Zen and it’s sounding incredible already with just a handful of hours on it.

Thelastjedi · August 6, 2022

Just purchased the Telos Macro Q after reading good things here on this thread. Keen to see how it goes with my innuos zen mk2.

AussieMick · August 6, 2022

1 hour ago, Thelastjedi said:

Just purchased the Telos Macro Q after reading good things here on this thread. Keen to see how it goes with my innuos zen mk2.

Make sure you try it in a laptop if you’re using one for music at all. Mine lives in the Zen, but goes with me everywhere my laptop and Mojo 2 go.

Thelastjedi · August 6, 2022

1 hour ago, AussieMick said:

Make sure you try it in a laptop if you’re using one for music at all. Mine lives in the Zen, but goes with me everywhere my laptop and Mojo 2 go.

Ive only got the innuos that I recently purchased. I couldnt believe how much of an improvement the innuos made in my system. Then I read through this thread and seen a few members who recommended the Telos Macro Q. If it improves the sound quality even more like members have said, I will be shocked because I feel like how can it get even better than how it already sounds.

Edited August 6, 2022 by Thelastjedi

AussieMick · August 7, 2022

4 minutes ago, Thelastjedi said:

Ive only got the innuos that I recently purchased. I couldnt believe how much of an improvement the innuos made in my system. Then I read through this thread and seen a few members who recommended the Telos Macro Q. If it improves the sound quality even more like members have said, I will be shocked because I feel like how can it get even better than how it already sounds.

It’s quite responsive to tweaking as you go. I live with it until it becomes “normal” then try to find a little tweak. First it was an Akiko Audio USB Stick that cleaned up the edges of images and got things to be a bit quieter. Then an Isotek Sequel power cord that brought extra clarity and definition but at the expense of body, so it got replaced by an Isotek Elite. That’s an ongoing quest with more to come. Then trying Townshend Seismic
Pods for isolation (wow) but they ended up under my amps instead. So in came the wonderful value for money IsoAcoustics Orea under an IKEA butchers block. Excellent and inexpensive upgrade! Then the Macro Q replaced the Akiko (no cleaning up the picture on my TV).
I’ve also been through AudioQuest Forest, Carbon and Diamond and Cardas Clear HS USB cables (settled on the Diamond) and Cardas Clear/AudioQuest Cinnamon Ethernet cables (Cardas in now but I want to sell it and grab an AudioQuest Vodka).
Through all of this changes the Zen has showed me the differences. Awesome bit of gear!

Cheers

Mick

Godot · August 7, 2022

On 4/8/2022 at 8:48 PM, lebowski said:

Just bought a new Zen Mk3 .

Looking at USB cables now and interested in what others are using and recommend? Will be feeding an RME ADI-2 DAC FS.

Budget up to $600 but happy to spend $50 and the rest on CD’s.

Not sure of the exact cable you need, I like the Oyaide products.

https://www.mannys.com.au/oyaide-neo-d-usb-2-0-class-b-cable-2m

lebowski · August 7, 2022

2 hours ago, Thelastjedi said:

Ive only got the innuos that I recently purchased. I couldnt believe how much of an improvement the innuos made in my system. Then I read through this thread and seen a few members who recommended the Telos Macro Q. If it improves the sound quality even more like members have said, I will be shocked because I feel like how can it get even better than how it already sounds.

like you I’m seriously impressed with the performance of the Zen Mk3. Have had mine for less than a week and I’m blown away by how good it sounds feeding my RME DAC.

So much more depth and layers in music, details I’ve not heard in recordings I’m very familiar with. And like so many have said, it is very analogue.

I am not one to throw money around on HIFI gear so this was a big purchase for me. I’m happy with my speakers, Amp and DAC and the Innuos Zen was the last piece for me and it’s well exceeded my expectations.

Silver Audiophile · August 7, 2022

6 hours ago, Godot said:

Not sure of the exact cable you need, I like the Oyaide products.

https://www.mannys.com.au/oyaide-neo-d-usb-2-0-class-b-cable-2m

Great Oyaide USB cable is at the price at $55. Just buy it and try it. I have never tried them to comment further.

In the USB cable, I also recommend the Via Blue USB cable (for those on a tighter budget). Via Blue is a brand not really well known outside of Germany.

Until relatively recently their website was only in German. They manufacture in a small town outside of Frankfurt (Made in Germany). I find their flagship SC-6 cables have ended up (best sounding to my ear):

As my Speaker cables, my interconnects (XLR analogue, XLR digital, RCA digital (Coax). I still use the more expensive Furutech GT2 Pro USB and Furutech LAN-7 ethernet cable (better sounding).

ViaBlue cables use to be available from Mark at M8 Audio in QLD. However, M8 audio has relocated to Denmark to focus on making just speakers.

So, Via Blue has to be purchased directly from Amazon (German Amazon, not the Aussie Amazon). Link below. At only 60 Euros plus post, it is rather impressive.

Or, for convenience, also available from Kableworld24 (German business operating on eBay) and ships Worldwide. I have used Kabelworld24 on eBay before, no issues.

My audiophile friends have also borrowed my ViaBlues, and they both now have multiple ViaBlue cables.

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Viablue-Silver-Cable-piece-150cm/dp/B004DDODBM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1IR6LUYJ4IW3N&keywords=viablue+audio+usb&qid=1659852647&sprefix=via+blue+audio+us%2Caps%2C332&sr=8-1

https://www.ebay.com.au/str/kabelworld24

https://viablue.de/com/index.php Main ViaBlue website.

Figure 1. ViaBlue USB cable

Figure 2. ViaBlue SC-6 speaker and XLR cables. Heavy cables, metal terminal (no plastic). Far better than Inakustic or Kimber cables for sound (use to own both), for similar prices. I love their detailed yet organic sound.

As a direct comparison with say Lenehan foilflex. The ViaBlue SC-6 speaker cable was miles ahead in all aspects of the sound.

Fig 3. The ViaBlues freak out my old man, they reminds him of snakes!

Edited August 7, 2022 by Silver Audiophile

arpasquill · August 7, 2022

3 hours ago, Silver Audiophile said:

In the USB cable, I also recommend the Via Blue USB cable

Thanks for the tip! There's some very interesting products on their site!

Grizaudio · August 7, 2022

On 9/10/2020 at 6:56 PM, Hydrology said:

There is, but Im probably not well enough up to speed to explain nor justify. Squeezelite is an option inside Roon (just not supported by Roon Labs so users use at own risk/results).

However one of the benefits is the track is preloaded into RAM in order to reduce noise (and of course the hard drive is not been accessed continually). As SqueezeLite is experimental, its not really recommended for trigger happy people hitting the "next" button everytime.

Plenty of info on the interwebs, but to iterate, the Innuos has been a big improvement in SQ over my Nucleus, the SqueezeLite takes it to another level.

Are you connecting a DAC directly to the innuos? Or is it acting purely as a server?

Hydrology · August 7, 2022

6 minutes ago, Grizaudio said:

Are you connecting a DAC directly to the innuos? Or is it acting purely as a server?

USB out of the Zen into the DAC section of a Hegel H590 amp.

Preference for critical listening is Sense, casual and music expansion I use Roon.

Grizaudio · August 7, 2022

2 minutes ago, Hydrology said:

USB out of the Zen into the DAC section of a Hegel H590 amp.

Preference for critical listening is Sense, casual and music expansion I use Roon.

OK makes sense now.
If this was acting in a server mode to feed endpoints via RAAT I can’t imagine any improvement?

Edited August 7, 2022 by Grizaudio

Hydrology · August 7, 2022

1 minute ago, Grizaudio said:

OK makes sense now.
If this was acting in a server mode to feed endpoints via RAAT I can’t imagine any improvement?

I'd always advise (despite a manufacturer's recommendation) to try all configurations and settle on the one you like the most. As Innuos put a lot of effort into USB as an audio output, my journey has found me coming back to this output as the best performer in my rig.

Silver Audiophile · August 7, 2022

1 hour ago, arpasquill said:

Thanks for the tip! There's some very interesting products on their site!

ViaBlue is a bit like the German version of Furutech, with a myriad of bits and bobs for the DIY'er as well as finally finished completed cables, isolation devices etc. Even solder containing Silver!

I'm really satisfied with the high quality and without the grandiose local importer/dealer markup. Direct factory to Worldwide customer (via ViaBlue Amazon shop).