LAN vs USB for Zen NG and dCS Bartók Apex DAC

[Ranger176]

Hi everyone…my first post on the Community site.
I am about to order a Zen NG, or Zenith NG. But before I do, I need to know if it is worth paying for a pre-installed PhoenixUSB board. Yes, I could have it installed further down the line, but I think I’d rather get it done in one hit?
I must stress, that I have only listened to the Zen NG in my dealers shop. Which did actually have the PhoenixUSB board fitted. It sounded great. However the speakers used were way better than my Kudos 606s. The Sense app was so easy to use. Brilliant.
The USB vs LAN topic has been discussed countless times here and also on my dCS product community site. I daren’t ask again! I would say about 90% of dCS owners agree, that they prefer a LAN connection over USB. Many of which are Innuos product owners. (dCS actually recommends a LAN connection).
However, most I believe, have older Innuos products. So I don’t know if that opinion would change with the new Servers?
Ideally some feedback from a dCS DAC owners with the new range of Innuos Servers would be great, but I’m also interested to know what those with other brand of DACs think.
I have a very minimal setup now, having gone through the six box Naim stack scenario in the past.
dCS Bartók Apex DAC
Vitus SIA-025 Integrated amp
Kudos Titan 606 Speakers
Quadraspire X-Reference 3 level Rack
Various makes of low to mid end cables.
With the new Innuos Servers and better USB connections, is USB still the preferred connection to your DAC?
Many thanks

 

[DanCollier]

We have an article on USB vs Ethernet over on the support section here - https://innuos.com/kb/which-sounds-better-ethernet-or-usb-which-should-i-use/

One thing to note is that the second Ethernet port on our systems is NOT an audio output. It’s simply a bridged network connection, intended as a convenient way to connect a nearby device to your network, that will provide some benefit as it will be much lower noise than a basic network switch/router. This method means you'd be using the streaming module on the dCS dac.

If you’re looking to get the best performance from a ZEN or ZENith Next Gen, I would recommend using one of the dedicated audio outputs instead, such as USB, especially if you plan to use the Sense app.

 

[Ranger176]

We have an article on USB vs Ethernet over on the support section here - https://innuos.com/kb/which-sounds-better-ethernet-or-usb-which-should-i-use/

One thing to note is that the second Ethernet port on our systems is NOT an audio output. It’s simply a bridged network connection, intended as a convenient way to connect a nearby device to your network, that will provide some benefit as it will be much lower noise than a basic network switch/router. This method means you'd be using the streaming module on the dCS dac.

If you’re looking to get the best performance from a ZEN or ZENith Next Gen, I would recommend using one of the dedicated audio outputs instead, such as USB, especially if you plan to use the Sense app.

Thank you for the link and for your advice.

 

[Malc.]

HI @Ranger176, welcome to the forum. You really pretty much cover all the issues in your initial post. DCS have their way, their preferences, the same is true for Innuos. Recently Innuos have been developing a more modular approach to facilitate different connection options. As Stephen Healy replied to you on the other thread USB will lead to Innuos as your streamer with Sense as operating system, going with ethernet will result in DCS being your streamer with Mosaic operating system.
I've used Innuos with a Rossini in the past but with USB as I prefer using Sense and also the Innuos is a fine streamer.

 

[Ranger176]

Thank you…I definitely want Innuos to be just the Server and use the superb dCS DAC to be what is was intended for…a DAC. I personally am not overly struck by the dCS app. It works, but it’s quite basic. I am looking forward to using Sense.
Thanks