Stream3 plus Zen Mini Mark3

[John]

I am looking to upgrade from my Zen Mini Mark3+LPSU with its 1 TB SSD for ~500 CDs to a Stream3. I sometimes use the Mini as a Roon Core in addition to listening to the CDs I've ripped to its SSD.

What is the better option:

#1 - Stream3 with a SSD for use as a Roon Core and copy the CDs I ripped to the Mini, or

#2 - Stream3 with no SSD but linked to the Mini for continuing use with its CDs and Roon Core?

#1 is a bit more expensive but simpler than #2.

What say the Innuos savants about the best option?

 

[DanCollier]

The best option would be a STREAM 3 with integrated storage. You don’t necessarily need to purchase it with storage included, as you can install this yourself if you prefer, which can help save on budget. Of course, in case you were not already aware, there is an ongoing trade up scheme - https://innuos.com/tradein-levelup/

That said, if your priority is achieving the best sound quality, I would recommend giving the Sense app a try, as the vast majority of our users find it delivers a noticeable improvement in sound quality compared with Roon .

 

[erho]

The best option would be a STREAM 3 with integrated storage. You don’t necessarily need to purchase it with storage included, as you can install this yourself if you prefer, which can help save on budget. Of course, in case you were not already aware, there is an ongoing trade up scheme - https://innuos.com/tradein-levelup/

That said, if your priority is achieving the best sound quality, I would recommend giving the Sense app a try, as the vast majority of our users find it delivers a noticeable improvement in sound quality compared with Roon .

that trade-up scheme is not understandable for me as owner of a zen mini mk3/lpsu because there is no discount when upgrading to stream1 with module and new psu.....
imho that is not fair, sorry @DanCollier @Stephen Healy

 

[Stephen Healy]

that trade-up scheme is not understandable for me as owner of a zen mini mk3/lpsu because there is no discount when upgrading to stream1 with module and new psu.....
imho that is not fair, sorry @DanCollier @Stephen Healy

It is worth contacting your dealer about this anyway, because there will be some allowance they can still offer for a trade-in of a ZENmini+LPSU to a STREAM1.

 

[Stephen Healy]

I am looking to upgrade from my Zen Mini Mark3+LPSU with its 1 TB SSD for ~500 CDs to a Stream3. I sometimes use the Mini as a Roon Core in addition to listening to the CDs I've ripped to its SSD.

What is the better option:

#1 - Stream3 with a SSD for use as a Roon Core and copy the CDs I ripped to the Mini, or

#2 - Stream3 with no SSD but linked to the Mini for continuing use with its CDs and Roon Core?

#1 is a bit more expensive but simpler than #2.

What say the Innuos savants about the best option?

As Dan says, there is a trade-in going so Option #1 would certainly be the cheapest because trading in your ZENmini + LPSU would grant you either 15% or 20% off a STREAM3, depending on the age of your ZENmini! There would not be much benefit to Option #2 in any case, as STREAM3 will run Roon Core duties quite a lot better than the ZENmini, and overall it's a simpler setup. If you need to carry on CD ripping, then you can just pick up a USB optical drive for $50.

 

[John]

As Dan says, there is a trade-in going so Option #1 would certainly be the cheapest because trading in your ZENmini + LPSU would grant you either 15% or 20% off a STREAM3, depending on the age of your ZENmini! There would not be much benefit to Option #2 in any case, as STREAM3 will run Roon Core duties quite a lot better than the ZENmini, and overall it's a simpler setup. If you need to carry on CD ripping, then you can just pick up a USB optical drive for $50.

Dan, I looked at my Mini serial number, which shows it was made in 2021. I purchased it in early 2023, then upgraded it to an SSD and 8 GB of RAM.

With its LPSU, does it qualify for a 15% or 20% discount on the Stream3?

When upgrading, do I return the Mini to the dealer to send back to Innuos?

 

[Stephen Healy]

Dan, I looked at my Mini serial number, which shows it was made in 2021. I purchased it in early 2023, then upgraded it to an SSD and 8 GB of RAM.

With its LPSU, does it qualify for a 15% or 20% discount on the Stream3?

When upgrading, do I return the Mini to the dealer to send back to Innuos?

Hi John, the ZENmini should have a new serial number on it that reflects when it became an 'S' version the year that you had the upgrade done. So yes, that is the version that will determine your trade-in discount, not its older 'HDD' version from back in 2021.
If you contact your dealer, they will handle the trade-in process for you.