STREAM Series Megapost

[frank7036]

Do not know yet. Will decide after listening to the Audio Note gear.

Sorry, I badly worded my question - I understand that if you want a module changed or installed the unit has to go back to the dealer - I was wondering if they had mentioned whether it was a case of ‘not a problem, when it arrives we can install while you wait” or is it “drop it off and we will do in a short time and ring you” scenario?
Cheers.

 

[Stephen Healy]

Thank you Stephen for a welcome clarification of the new model line-up, what’s on offer and why. Big job to get that down in digital print, congrats.
I noticed the comment about faster Ethernet ports using faster switches - can you comment on what Innuos perceive as the gain to sound reproduction from this adaptation?
As I understand it the PheonixNET switch was deliberately designed to use 100Mb.

This one is a little less to do with sound and more to do with very fast transfer rates especially on NAS imports or NAS backups. Keep in mind, all your other network devices need to support 2.5gbe which at the moment is pretty rare at the moment. You would only have this if you specifically invested in it throughout your network, otherwise the ports on the STREAM series will only operate at the speed that it is linked to (which most of the time is going to be gigabit).

The PhoenixNET indeed has 100mb due to the simpler chip we are using - and part of the reason for using that cheap is its lower power consumption and the fact it can be powered by an external linear power rail which is actually very rare.
One idea we did have, and it would be interesting to gauge feedback on this, would be that on a software level we could add something in settings where you could actually set the operating speed of the Ethernet port. So, we could have 'audio mode' that throttles to 100mb, a 'speed mode' which enabled 2.5gbe, or a 'balanced mode' that runs at gigabit. You could change these on the fly depending on whether you doing data transfer, or doing critical listening etc.

 

[_Nick]

Stephen thanks for this thread it is really helpful. However, one final question which I may have missed… is the Stream 3 + Phoenix USB Output module going to be a significant and worthwhile improvement in sound quality over the Zenith MK3 + Phoenix USB Re-clocker? Many thanks in advance

 

[DanCollier]

Stephen thanks for this thread it is really helpful. However, one final question which I may have missed… is the Stream 3 + Phoenix USB Output module going to be a significant and worthwhile improvement in sound quality over the Zenith MK3 + Phoenix USB Re-clocker? Many thanks in advance

In case you missed it, Stephen did provide some detail on the expected performance differences between the Stream 3 and what it replaces in the Pulsar and ZENith Mk3. I’ve copied that below for your reference.

You’ll find that the Stream 3, like the Pulsar does offer a performance improvement over the ZENith MK3. You may notice a further bump in performance too now with the introduction of RTK (real time kernel) too!

That said, you currently have the standalone PhoenixUSB, which will deliver better performance than the integrated PhoenixUSB Lite module you could fit in the Stream 3. However, the latter does offer a very neat one box solution.

It is definitely something worth exploring with your dealer once units become available. In your case, I would personally consider upgrading to the ZEN Next Gen paired with the PhoenixUSB Lite. With a trade-in of your ZENith Mk3 and PhoenixUSB, this could be a more attractive option overall and a larger improvement in performance for you. Food for thought!

"STREAM3
(versus ZENith Mk3 & PULSAR)
The STREAM3 shares a fair amount of DNA with the PULSAR since this proved to be a very well-received and effective platform. Consequently, this means STREAM3 is a very solid upgrade over a ZENith Mk3 in terms of sound, although existing PULSAR owners may find sound quality to be broadly similar. The same PSU with 300VA transformer and ARC6 active rectification module is present, as is the CX regulator and solid 10mm CNC-machined chassis. The STREAM3 has a TLC SSD rather than the pSLC of the PULSAR, but STREAM3 does have Real-Time Kernel support. Essentially, the STREAM3 could be thought of like a PULSAR that now has storage and music server capabilities (along with all the other generational benefits mentioned earlier in this post)."

 

[_Nick]

In case you missed it, Stephen did provide some detail on the expected performance differences between the Stream 3 and what it replaces in the Pulsar and ZENith Mk3. I’ve copied that below for your reference.

You’ll find that the Stream 3, like the Pulsar does offer a performance improvement over the ZENith MK3. You may notice a further bump in performance too now with the introduction of RTK (real time kernel) too!

That said, you currently have the standalone PhoenixUSB, which will deliver better performance than the integrated PhoenixUSB Lite module you could fit in the Stream 3. However, the latter does offer a very neat one box solution.

It is definitely something worth exploring with your dealer once units become available. In your case, I would personally consider upgrading to the ZEN Next Gen paired with the PhoenixUSB Lite. With a trade-in of your ZENith Mk3 and PhoenixUSB, this could be a more attractive option overall and a larger improvement in performance for you. Food for thought!

"STREAM3
(versus ZENith Mk3 & PULSAR)
The STREAM3 shares a fair amount of DNA with the PULSAR since this proved to be a very well-received and effective platform. Consequently, this means STREAM3 is a very solid upgrade over a ZENith Mk3 in terms of sound, although existing PULSAR owners may find sound quality to be broadly similar. The same PSU with 300VA transformer and ARC6 active rectification module is present, as is the CX regulator and solid 10mm CNC-machined chassis. The STREAM3 has a TLC SSD rather than the pSLC of the PULSAR, but STREAM3 does have Real-Time Kernel support. Essentially, the STREAM3 could be thought of like a PULSAR that now has storage and music server capabilities (along with all the other generational benefits mentioned earlier in this post)."

Hi Dan. This reply is exactly what I needed in terms of which direction to go. Looks like it will be the Zen NG next for me then. I’m looking forward to the demo already. Many thanks!