FS: Liv Zen (early Innuos) ripper/streamer 2Tb

[Lawrence001]

Nice device this, it was released before the company changed their name to Innuos. I've actually got 3 of them so don't really need this one! It does Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, internet radio and loads of other apps which are maintained by an active LMS user group that recently made sure BBC Sounds worked when the BBC took radio off iplayer for example. It won't do Roon or Amazon AFAIK though.

Output is done via USB into a DAC. It needs ethernet (best quality anyway) but I use it remotely from the router with a powerline adaptor.

There's a web page you can use to play it but I use good free app to control it on Android called Squeezer. I don't know much about Apple but I think iPeng is popular. Set up can be fiddly if you've not used Vortexbox/LMS/ Squeezebox etc before but I will provide support via what's app or phone to get you up and running if you're not sure. I should be able to set up and test any logins if you want before I send it too.

The early Innuos Zens were basically Vortexboxes, so its not compatible with the current Innuos software so I've rebuilt it with the latest Vortexbox software so it's up to date. The only thing that they don't seem to do anymore is album art but I'm using an app on my laptop which scans the Zen and can add album art to the folders for you once they're ripped.

I replaced the Teac drive with a NOS one a couple of years ago when it had issues and have ripped c.1000 CDs since so it will have plenty of life left.

It has loads of music on it which I'm happy to leave on so that the buyer can test it before deleting and ripping their own collection.

I think £250 is a good price for what's still a versatile streamer and ripper. Collection from N London welcome. If you're local or can give me a lift I'm happy to set it up for you myself.
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[Lawrence001]

Bump. Forgot to say the name of this was changed to Zen Mini Mk1 when they rebranded.

[Jimbo]

Nice little device the Zen mini. I will be having a listen to the Innuous Statement with next generation power supply tonight so not sure what to expect?

[Lawrence001]

I'd hope it sounds a bit better than this at that price! But this sounds good enough for me with a nice dac I have to say.

[Jimbo]

Yes crazy price for the Statement and much of it because of the power supply. Think you can get them with an 8TB SSD now? I must say it was hard to
really hear what it was doing in the system as it was hooked up to a Chord DAVE with Blu 2 m-scaler which is pretty great in its own right.

However the overall combination was super transparent, you were just not aware of any electronics in the system. Vocals were very real in the room and holographic. Huge soundstage with great depth and width. DAVE has stunning imaging and control over the bass but I expect it helps a lot being fed with a Innuous Statement. I have found as the whole digital chain improves the sound becomes more analogue and smoother. The pin point sharp etched nature of digital some how becomes more rounded and natural.

BUT..... £16000 for DAVE + M-scaler + £14000 for Innuous Statement:eek:

[Lawrence001]

Interesting about the PSU, I actually run mine with a big 12V 5A LPSU I bought from a caravan supply shop for about £40 [emoji16]

[Jimbo]

That LPSU should make a difference as I have found with anything digital. I run a DAC and a clocker with a LPSU and that definitely helps. I think a lot of the development around the Innuos products have been around the PSU.

[Lawrence001]

I've spent a few years experimenting with budget upgrades to the Zen. Here's the £40 power supply I use to get an uplift in performance.

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/nevada-ps-08-6-8a-regulated-linear-mains-power-supply.html

Also, I've done some experimenting with USB convertors and found the Schiit Eitr is a great little box that takes away any trace left of digital glare, I highly recommend using it with this and they can be picked up occasionally for not much over £100. The Audiophileo is also very good but they go for a multiple of the price.

IMHO these cheap upgrades take the Zen's performance to a level you'd expect with some expensive all in one streamers. I can demo with both in use obviously but I can't sell them as I use them with my other Zen.

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[Jimbo]

I've spent a few years experimenting with budget upgrades to the Zen. Here's the £40 power supply I use to get an uplift in performance.

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/nevada-ps-08-6-8a-regulated-linear-mains-power-supply.html

Also, I've done some experimenting with USB convertors and found the Schiit Eitr is a great little box that takes away any trace left of digital glare, I highly recommend using it with this and they can be picked up occasionally for not much over £100. The Audiophileo is also very good but they go for a multiple of the price.

IMHO these cheap upgrades take the Zen's performance to a level you'd expect with some expensive all in one streamers. I can demo with both in use obviously but I can't sell them as I use them with my other Zen.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221030/5b8d262055ad2f43de0d082aba3e18c7.jpg

That is certainly a budget upgrade.

[Lawrence001]

Yeah certainly don't look as smart as the Statement but if you don't mind separate boxes and you're on a tight budget you can get 80/90% (guess) of the performance for a fraction of the price.

I've taken maxing out performance at a low price to a bit of an extreme but it saves me money, I've had a lot of fun on the way, and it's rather satisfying as well.

Forget to mention the carpet underlay under the Zen, I had to buy about a 2x3m roll minimum for £30 odd but it's saved me a lifetime of messing with feet [emoji23]

[Jimbo]

Yeah certainly don't look as smart as the Statement but if you don't mind separate boxes and you're on a tight budget you can get 80/90% (guess) of the performance for a fraction of the price.

I've taken maxing out performance at a low price to a bit of an extreme but it saves me money, I've had a lot of fun on the way, and it's rather satisfying as well.

Forget to mention the carpet underlay under the Zen, I had to buy about a 2x3m roll minimum for £30 odd but it's saved me a lifetime of messing with feet [emoji23]

Like the idea of using carpet underlay. I used an Amazon mouse matt under my turntable motor for a good while but could still detect noise getting through to the stylus so replaced this by standing the motor on 4 small discs of sticky sorbathane rubber. This did the trick and almost eradicated all noise getting into the stylus. I like these budget ideas as they can be very effective.

[Lawrence001]

It's actually too big a piece a small square under each foot would suffice but I haven't got round to cutting them

[Lawrence001]

Bump

[Lawrence001]

Bump

[Lawrence001]

Bump

[hornucopia]

CORK works well under things too.

[phoenixpete]

Hi Lawrence. I have been after a Zen for quite a time but am very new to these type of devices. I would only use it to rip my cds too probably not going to use it for streaming. I have a beresford Caiman with a usb connection and l can connect to the Ethernet with a cable so that should be ok.
Do l need anything else for this to work in my system, just for playback of the stored cds?
Would you be able to post it?
Thanks.
Pete.

[Lawrence001]

Hi Pete yes I can post I will PM you

[Lawrence001]

This is now sold but if anyone wants another I still have 2 and may move to just CD in my second system (old skool!). So could work something out in January if anyone is interested.

[Lawrence001]

Meridian 508 now set up and sounding sweet in my second system so second 2Tb Liv Zen now available if anyone wants it.

[Lawrence001]

I realised my second Zen is a 3Tb version (rather than 2) which is enough to hold about 5000 CD quality albums or plenty of hi-res files. But I'm still only asking £250 so bargain alert!

[Andy831]

Be interested to hear how easy / difficult it as to swop out the teac CD drive and what you replaced it with. I have the Innuos Zen Mk1 in the same case that was updated by Innuos with a new motherboard and software effectively making it a Mk 3 Mini. However the most recent problem is the CD drive refusing to accept and RIP cds.

[Lawrence001]

I bought a couple of spares exactly the same model drive and it was a drop in replacement with no software changes. you just need to find the same one like me and you should be fine.

[Andy831]

Thanks Lawrence I will start a search immediately.

[Lawrence001]

I opened it up and took the model number down, I'm away at the moment or I could check.

[Andy831]

I have done that, but the type and model number / part number does not come up for sale on eBay or from Teac parts suppliers, I don't suppose you still have a spare one squirreled away that you might be prepared to sell?

Andy

[Lawrence001]

I did buy 3 I think to make sure I had one per Zen. I'll have a look when I get back next week.

[Andy831]

Cheers Lawrence your a gent.