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Thread: Innuos ZEN Music Server

  1. #1
    Join Date: Feb 2011

    Location: Troon

    Posts: 2,476
    I'm tony.

    Default Innuos ZEN Music Server

    Any members have experience with one of these?

    My cheap lap top is the weak link in my chain...looking for a plug and play solution-reckon this might fit the bill!!!

  2. #2
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Birmingham

    Posts: 6,772
    I'm James.

    Default

    I have Tony, listened to all the Innuos servers and have used the Zen mini myself, the Zen is even better. Superb user interface once hooked up online and I use it with Ipeng software on my iPad. Very easy to use and does not F?£& about with your music like ROON!

    As you are probably aware the Zen is a NAS and Cd ripper but also facilitates some internet services, check out their website. The product interface is intuitive and easy to install with Innuos database online running it.

    The jump from a laptop to the the Zen server is massive, it will be the biggest upgrade you will make in your digital system, far greater than upgrading your DAC in my book.

    If I was to do digital this would be the way I would go. Bolt on a top DAC and you will have a system that competes with vinyl.
    Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702

    Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2

  3. #3
    Join Date: Feb 2011

    Location: Troon

    Posts: 2,476
    I'm tony.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jimbo View Post
    I have Tony, listened to all the Innuos servers and have used the Zen mini myself, the Zen is even better. Superb user interface once hooked up online and I use it with Ipeng software on my iPad. Very easy to use and does not F?£& about with your music like ROON!

    As you are probably aware the Zen is a NAS and Cd ripper but also facilitates some internet services, check out their website. The product interface is intuitive and easy to install with Innuos database online running it.

    The jump from a laptop to the the Zen server is massive, it will be the biggest upgrade you will make in your digital system, far greater than upgrading your DAC in my book.

    If I was to do digital this would be the way I would go. Bolt on a top DAC and you will have a system that competes with vinyl.
    Spot on JAMES....reckon thats my path

  4. #4
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Agreeed.
    Go for the Zen.
    AC POWER
    Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
    AMPS
    Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
    SPEAKERS
    Wharfedale Evo 4.4
    DAC
    PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
    TURNTABLE
    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
    PHONOSTAGE
    Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
    DIGITAL
    OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
    MUSIC PLAYBACK
    Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
    Ipad Roon Remote.
    Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
    SPEAKER CABLES
    Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On
    "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
    INTERCONNECTS
    All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables

  5. #5
    Join Date: Feb 2014

    Location: Indianapolis, Indiana USA

    Posts: 779
    I'm Timothy.

    Default

    I will double and triple those agreements, best thing I have done for myself on the digital side of things. As Jimbo mentioned, the Zen Mk2 coupled with great DAC and you are good to go, wonderful music player!

    I will add too, in fast ripping mode, the drive can be slightly noisy and a bit of vibration to it, not objectionable mind, and not an audio disturbance thing either. I have been playing with what my Zen sits on, experimenting with my BASE isolation platform, and recently a trio of Isoacoustics Orea Indigo isolation footers. Normally I do not go overboard with a lot of tweaky stuff or foo, but these are proving to be an interesting add in a good way, both to the vibration/noise, but I think maybe it transfers a bit over to a cleaner sonic presentation. Still playing, more to come on that...
    Holbo TT-Nag 110-Croft phono/Innuos Zen MK2/LinnenberG Telemann DAC-Preamp/LinnenberG Allegro monoblocs/Duevel Venus/LinnenberG Maestro SE-Senn. 660S DH Labs cabling

    Croft Series 7 amps, WLM La Scala, Naim Uniti1, Naim Nait XS3, Naim ND5XS2, Guru Junior

  6. #6
    Join Date: Feb 2011

    Location: Troon

    Posts: 2,476
    I'm tony.

    Default

    Many thanks gents, looks like im going down this path!!!

  7. #7
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,562
    I'm Kevin.

    Default

    They seem like a lot of mo et for a low power PC.
    I guess the cost is in the power supply?
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

  8. #8
    Join Date: Feb 2011

    Location: Troon

    Posts: 2,476
    I'm tony.

    Default

    They aint cheap but you do tend to pay for what you get.

    They have really done theyre home work to make the thing as quiet and user friendly as possible,,,when compared to a mac its pretty good IMHO

  9. #9
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,562
    I'm Kevin.

    Default

    I have no experience of them, but when I look at the rough spec they give, it makes me wonder where the money goes.
    The case won’t be cheap, and big linear power supplies for PCs are expensive, but I doubt it is a custom motherboard.
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

  10. #10
    Join Date: Feb 2011

    Location: Troon

    Posts: 2,476
    I'm tony.

    Default

    Im wondering if the zen mini with a 1tb would fit the bill for me.

    I could run it off a linear supply or battery....any thoughts?

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