Innuos ZENith Mk3 Streaming Transport - True To The Music Source

Innuos streaming products have been hitting the shore of Malaysia for a few years now but it did not have an official presence before.  Local audiophiles had to purchase it from overseas. It is no longer the situation now as Audio Visual Designs have landed the deal as the sole distributor for Innuos.

I had the opportunity experience the ZENith Mk 3 unit for a few months now. Thank you to AV Designs for the loan unit. 

THE SPECIFICATIONS

This unit is solidly built but with simplicity and stability as its core as well. With a clean front fascia with just a power button and a CD slot for ripping. It measures at 420 mm x 340 mm x 83 mm (WxDxH) in size and weighs 9 kg.  

As this is a transport rather than a full stand alone streamer, this unit needs to be connected to a DAC to run it. The audio output is only via a USB2.0 which supports USB Audio Class 2, DoP, Native DSD and MQA. It does come with another USB 3.0 but that only be used for backing up the unit.

There is no wifi option hence you will need to connect an ethernet cable to its RJ45 connection at the rear section.

Audio formats - WAV, DSF, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, MP3, MQA

Ripping formats - WAV or FLAC

CD compatability - RBCD, CDR, CDRW

The loan unit is also equipped with a 1 TB SSD built in and also Roon compatible as a Core or Endpoint.

It can also connect to Spotify, Qobuz and TIDAL.

One of the plus point of Innuos streaming units is its very own inhouse App -  The Innuos Sense. One fo the most stable app I have used and also very well laid out.

THE EQUIPMENT

• Aavik D280 DAC
• AA USB Cable
• McIntosh MA9000 integrated amp
• Borressen X3 speakers
• Roon Nucleus
• Synology NAS
• Ansuz network switch

THE SESSION

Take Five by Dave Brubeck - DSD

On this track, the saxaphone sounded more airy than my usual playback over HiFiROSE. It disperse the saxaphone sound wider. The percussion particularly the ride cymbal sounded crisp and evenly dispersed. The double bass and bass drum however fell short a bit with regards to its extension. This track is one of my reference track when it comes to low end frequency and somehow have not given me that 'kick' that I usually get from this track. Increasing the volume improved this a bit but that is not the idea. It may also be the DSD file quality that I have.

Soolaiman by Neil Diamond on 24/192

Now, this gave me the goosebumps when the percussion kicked in during the intro. His vocal also really surfaced up and sounded really deep and engaging. The ZENith really able to dig deep into the low frequency on this track.  I LIKE! Even the hollowness of the toms sounded very vintage and kept to its original tuned percussion.

The Sound of Silence on TIDAL

My my my.... this is just simply amazing. If huge soundstage is your thing, the ZENith made this track sounded even bigger than what I am used to. The vocal not only gaves me goosebumps as it was really engaging and pulls me in. This is a simple music arrangement but it depends a lot on the reproduction of the vocal through the system you listen to. I know this track was properly recorded and mastered and I also have heard this track on much higher end set ups. But with the ZENith, somehow it added some more energy to it.

Take Five by Kenichi Big Band on TIDAL MQA

Now, I was still unsatisfied with the DSD playback of the original piece on Take Five. So, I played this upbeat tempo and sure enough, I experienced a much more excited music delivery, It was not just about the tempo. Its about the overall musicality. Somehow, my experience with the online platforms have been excellent with this ZENith.

Time To Say Goodbye on ALAC

This is another reference track for me. Sarah's vocal sounded really energtic and hits the highs extremely well with no sign of ear pinching highs. Sweet and lush sounding. Andrea's vocal on the other hand, sounded a little bit too laid back. Usually, his vocal will sound really deep with full of energy. At this point, I start to wonder whether is the different sound is mainly due to the different formats I am playing or online vs on prem files?

Enter Sandman on FLAC24/96

This track gave me a completely different experience compared to Take Five and Time To Say Goodbye albeit played from on prem SSD. The overall musical presentation had all the traits that I like. Energetic vocals that pulled me in, deep extensive bass and tom drum, solid snare sound, ferocious sounding guitar solo and note by note clarity of the bass guitar. 

Temptation by Diana Krall on FLAC 16/44 ripped from CD

Now, this was the best sounding performance from Innous ZENith Mk3. I ripped this track using the unit's ripping feature. I must say, nothing beats the musicality from playing directly from an SSD. Comparing to the glorious sound I experience from TIDAL or Qobuz on this unit, I find that playback from its SSD provided an overall balanced performance across different frequency spectrum. It also retains the depth of different instrument layers plus the proper soundstage. Diana's vocal sounds convincing and engaging. The drums sounded sharp and well placed while the guitar solo was sufficiently melodious.

THE CONCLUSIONS

This is actually a tricky one. The ZENith Mk3 is actually a very capable player with the system stability that surpasses my expectation. Together with a seamless UI of the Sense app, it is one of the best streaming transport that I have ever reviewed.

Now, how do I explain the different experience I had with the unit? First of all, let me explain a few things.

Playback - The unit is capable of playback from 3 different sources:

• Online streaming e.g. TIDAL and Qobuz
• Built in SSD - files can be from ripping or transferred from other NAS or HDD
• From a NAS

The different experience I had above is mainly due to the source itself. I would rank the ZENith Mk3 playback as follows (from best to the OK)

• From built in SSD - ripped
• From built in SSD - transferred from other NAS
• Online streaming
• From a NAS

Now, many would debate that digital files are digital files regardless from where the playback is. I beg to differ! I have gone through so many streamers, PCs, laptops, online platform, HDD, NAS, SSD... every one of them gives out different sound quality or the least is different volume levels.

There are some limitations to this model for my way of utilization.

1. I have tested it as a Roon Core and Endpoint. It works perfectly. But, I can only choose either or. Either use it as Roon or as Innuos Sense platform

2. The CD slot is purely for ripping. No direct CD playback.

3. The biggest challenge I have is that it can only connect to 1 NAS at a time. I am running 4 different NAS in my network. So, it is a big limitation for me.

So, my conclusion is that, this ZENith Mk3 delivers a very balanced musical deliver overall. It is a very honest and true to the music source type of streamer. Fill up its SSD with good quality mastered files and you will be in musical heavan. You will not go wrong with this.

For those who already have a decent file collection, if you can be patience and transfer them to the SSD, you will not regret it. 

For those who just about to start building your digital library, I suggest for to fully utilize the ripping feature. One album CD will just take 5 to 8 mins to rip.

Audio Visual Designs carries the whole Innuos product line up. Do visit their shop for a demo.

HiEnd Asia Singapore 2023

 

The HiEnd Asia Singapore 2023 show kicked off today with a bang. Louis Chew, the main man behind this inaugural show officially launched and opened the show at about 945 am. It was a defining moment to many of the people who were involved in setting up this show since Dec 2022.

This show is spreaded out over 3 levels in this Sofitel Hotel, City Centre in Singapore. Spanning on Level 5, 7 and 8, the organiser have brought something different to the a hifi show bu having a series of seminars, talks and also live performances by regional artists such as Oopib and Jacyntha.

For more pictures, please visit my El Hefe Hifi Facebook and also featured on Mono and Stereo page here and here.

LEVEL 5

On Level 5 itself, there were 3 big rooms that offers visitors the opportunity to listen to some of the high end set ups.

In the Buni room, the mighty Avantgarde, Airtight and Lithospherelabs was set up by hifi.com.sg to wow visitors with not just their majestic looks, but also a very engaging system. They also had 3 different representatives of these brands to talk about what their set up is all about.

1230 pm - Jack Miura, Director of AirTight AMN Limited 

130 pm - Jerome Andre of Avantgarde Acoustic

330 pm - Emmanuel Lebraton of Lithospherlabs

In the Tembusu room, visitors were entertained by a combination of TAD, Audio Technica, Nagra and many more. This was also where Richard Mak conducted his talk on tips in setting up a turntable.

I had the pleasure to test out the monstrous Audio Technica Narukami headphone amp/pre amp with a turntable source. Beautifully designed and built, it can easily be an end game for any head-fiers if one can afford this unit.

The Saga room had 3 different systems set up.

1. ESD Acoustic, DS Audio, TAKATSUKI and EMM Labs

2. ESD Acoustic Aviator series

3. ESD Acoustic Panda Series 

The rest of the Level 5 floorspace was filled with LP and CD stalls, offering some rare collections. Yours truly spent about SGD320 on SACDs and MQA CDs.

Special set up by  Auu Impression of Impressice Sound Studio from Thailand

LEVEL 7

Audio Maestro, represented by Kenny Lim and Issac Ho hosted visitors in 2 room; Room 704 and 705

The Borressen X2 speakers were revealed for the first time to the whole world where it was paired with AXXESS Forte 2 integarted/streamer amp, Ansuz Acoustic A series of powerswitch, power distributor and cabling.

In the next room, visitors were entertained by a full Aavik 280 series equipment (pre, power amp, DAC and streamer) paired with Borressen Z1 speakers.

Ong Radio took up 3 rooms to show case B&W speakers and McIntosh Lab and Classe equipment. 2 rooms were live demos while the other one was on static 'McIntosh mini museum'

The biggest surprise for me was in Room 708. I have not heard of this brand Paragon Harmony but my first impression on this speaker is totally musical. Paired with TAD electronics, it was a very engaging demo. Their rep Alberto Madriz explained a few things about the design. With a sensitivity of 89 db, this speaker sounded really fluid and easy to drive.

Another suprise for me was Audiomaxim in Room 712. Petite speakers witha big sound. Simple set up but can be really engaging.

One of the biggest excitement I experience was in Room 715 where the Fischer&Foscher Kline speakers were featured.

Fischer&Fischer Klein speakers is one baby speakers that can really reach out deep into your emotion. This is one set up that gave me goosebumps when listening to Whitney Houston.

Paired with Audionet electronics, it was indeed a good match to mesmerize me.

Thank you William Whey for the demo and chit chat.

LEVEL 8

On level 8, AAA Audio  showcased a simple but yet a convincing sound. This set up can be demoed at Room 817.

In Room 804, you will be able to experience Peak speakers with Sower Audio amplification. A new sound to me and quite refreshing with enough guts.

Next door in Room 805,  Innuos, ATOLL Electronique, Amphion Loudspeakers is another worthy set up to visit.

In Room 816, you will be able to experience a vintage sound from JBL L100 MkII with its matching JBL amp and also ARCAM source CDS50. This pairinng have never failed to impress me.

Lukang Audio, speakers have been around in the scene in the past recent times and it had good feedback on the uniqueness of its sound. In Room 814, you will be able to experience the Spoey series speakers paired with Metronome and also EAhibrid battery power supply.

For Wilson Audio and Pass Labs fans, head on to High End Research room at Room 807 to enjoy this set up.

Another vintage sound experience can be experienced in Room 813. Hosted by Steve Sai of Sky Audio. Coherent Audio Loudspeakers paired with Aurorasound electronics were really engaging and enjoyable. Huge speakers with refined sound. 

Another big highlight of the day was the session by Khun Vattana of Tombo Audio on all their vibration management products especially on the gold Meow. This was done in Room 802.

Some other set up available to be experienced at this show:

In Room 801, BAYZ audio Courante is one  unique speaker design and capable to belt out a very engaging performance.

Brought to you by Project Perfection Pte Ltd .

Audiomis is another Taiwanese hifi brand that really surprised me alin this show. Founded by 2 musicians Jennifer Wang and Watson YE, they want listeners to get emotionally engaged with the products which includes speakers, tube pre, bluetooth speakers etc.

The bass response is fast and thumping. Most attendees were asking where is the subwoofer hidden including myself 😬. As a long time user of PMC, this speakers remind me of the 20.21 model but with deeper bass reach.

As this is written, there is a possibility for Audiomis to make its presence in Malaysia. Lets hope it will happen as I sincerely recommend the speakers as one of the candidates for anyone who would like to get into hifi as a beginner level.

OBIT audio offers an audio resonance control products based on about 10 years of R&D on materials. Combining brass alloy and silver based proprietary material, these 2 materials are fused together into layers with a specia welding technique to better manage the highs and lows of a system. 

Their products are highly sorted by professional pianist to assist them in live shows as part of their resonance control.

Comes in 3 sizes and able to support up to 150 kg speakers. These can also be used under turntables and amplifiers.

Speaking to Rui-Ren Chen, he calls his design as a sound harmonizer rather than a resonance eliminator.

In my personal observation... the overall show was a success from the perspective of showcasing a good mixture of Asian and other parts of the world HiFi set ups. The size of the show was actually just nice for a more relaxing and intimate engagement with product companies. Excellent work by the organizing team especially for a 1st time show.