Cost of an upgrade of te SSD

[JVDB]

Hello to the whole Innuos community! I have a Zenith mk3, since 2019, and I have gradually filled the original SSD. I did not expect it, but high-resolution files take up a lot of space. I asked my retailer how much an upgrade to an 8TB SSD would cost. He told me the price of 3100€. I find this price so extravagant that I am convinced that he is wrong. Could you tell me the cost of an upgrade from 4 to 8TB? Thanks.

 

[frank7036]

The cost of additional storage by Innuos has always been a bone of contention. The NG products have brought the storage price down but the purchase price of the units are high.

 

[JVDB]

Yes, it was already exaggerated when I bought it, but here it is really indecent, if that is the asking price.
At this price, it is no longer a commercial transaction, it is a ransom demand.

 

[JVDB]

I have had confirmation from several retailers. The cost of the upgrade would be "around €3000". It is so excessive that it is hardly believable...

 

[JVDB]

I just found my invoice from that time, actually dated end of 2020. I paid 4150€ for the Zenith mk3, 4TB, and Innuos is now asking €3000 for the SSD alone?

I understand why they are tempted to stay hidden in the toilets, their faces red with shame, but I would still like them to have the decency (the courage!) to come and explain their pricing policy to the early customers, who have made the brand successful.

 

[Stephen Healy]

Firstly, it is worth pointing out that if you would prefer a quicker and lower-cost approach to expanding the storage, then adding a NAS drive is easily done and can even be connected to the Streamer port on the ZENith if available. It may not have quite have the same effect or support, but it is not the same cost either.

To the point of the pricing of the upgrade itself, please keep in mind that this is a complete service. So, there are the following factors:

• We use a data center enterprise-grade SSD with power loss correction to ensure reliable operation, of which the cost is multiple times more than SATA SSD drives that you can find on the domestic market. They are extremely durable and robust.
• These comes with a full 3 year warranty that we provide including all the servicing that comes with it. This is not always so common.
• Further to this, we can perform firmware updates to the SSD during the course of its lifespan, that do not need to be carried out by the user.
• We apply vibration treatment to the SSD.
• The service includes full backup of the existing library, and migration to the new SSD for you so that your library is completely intact upon return.
• We do use express couriers so that the turnaround is fast, meaning this service regularly takes less than 2 weeks, even if brought over the Atlantic from the US.
• It can be handled via your local Innuos dealer who will manage the process for you, so you simply hand the unit to them and they will take care of the rest - they are part of the service process too.

So to repeat my initial point, this is aimed to be a complete quality process and is therefore not comparable to buying a drive at retail and fitting it yourself.

Nonetheless, we do understand that there are users who prefer to handle storage expansion themselves or would prefer an alternative approach, and in the latest Next-Gen products we have demonstrated an architecture that can feature both factory-fitted storage, but also user-fitted storage too. This means we can cater for both types of customers; those would like the slightly more 'DIY' approach, whilst others who want the service can still utilise either us or the dealer to perform such upgrades and service - this seems fair to everyone.
We have adopted this architecture in the latest products, and therefore it is more than likely we will see this similarly rolled out with future products and new generations of streamers.

 

[JVDB]

Thank you for your reply.

I did the replacement myself. It cost me almost 1070€, all included, with a 5-year warranty (not 3-year), on the SSD.

How can you not see that your greed is hurting you? Customers who bought one of your devices are put off by the prices you ask, and the seller from whom I bought - once a big seller here - is now dissuading his customers from buying an Innuos, in particular because of your sales policy.

All this for a few dollars more.

 

[wild_coyote]

I joined this forum because I was contemplating the purchase of a Zenith MK3. I saw a review of this from 3 years ago and the price then was $4699 (1TB SSD), today's price is $6299. As I understand it, the hardware is identical to that from 3 years ago. This outrageous price increase has completely turned me away from Innuos products. I understand that Innuos is known for great SQ and great support, and I understand that all companies have the right to charge whatever they want. I just wanted to voice my sentiments of disappointment with this company.

 

[Esscee]

It's called "inflation", raw materials, wages fuel,etc.
How many other prices of almost anything have stayed at the same level over that time?

 

[wild_coyote]

Lots/most of higher end components have stayed the same price since 2021. Mola Mola Tambaqui, T+A 200 DAC, Aurender N20, many more just check them out. Zenith MK3 increase of 34% is absurd.

 

[mikehughescq]

Lots/most of higher end components have stayed the same price since 2021. Mola Mola Tambaqui, T+A 200 DAC, Aurender N20, many more just check them out. Zenith MK3 increase of 34% is absurd.

I’m familiar with at least 2 of those 3 and I’d venture that both were hideously overpriced in the first place so can bear a little inflation. The NG range is priced well out of my range and I’d have to stretch to afford my Zenith now but I don’t for a second think Innuos are taking the mickey with price increases.

 

[wild_coyote]

Fair enough. To be honest, I was seriously considering buying the Zenith new until I saw its price 3 years ago. It seems out of line to me, but I admit that I dont know the market very well.

 

[tortuga_Bob]

Inflation & cost increases have certainly hit the High End audio market hard, a 30% increase in price looks fairly typical. I'm sure the price increases for the consumer reflect how much the manufacturers pay for parts, R&D and labor. Everything has gone up in price, nevertheless, at some point the consumer just can't pay any more for components and the manufacturers risk pricing themselves right out of business. They will survive for a while as the ultra wealthy will still purchase new stuff but I'm not sure that is a long term solution, although companies like Magico have been using this model for years and seem to be doing well (it also looks like Auralic is giving this strategy a go). If your profit margin is extremely high, then you don't need to sell many units. I was hoping to buy a Zen NG (yes, absurdly expensive) but I'm now nervous about the economic situation and may just have to wait to see what happens. Apologies, this turned into a bit of a ramble.