Which Innuos

[Womaz]

Hi I am looking to buy my first Innuos streamer for my headphone set up.
It will be used as a streamer only as I have a Roon Nucleus that has my music stoed on it. So It will be used to stream from Roon and also on occasions the Tidal Connect app.

My budget maybe stretch to just over 2k but no more. I am confused by the range of products. I seem to have 3 or 4 options , the obvious one beong the new Stream1.
There is also the mini range or the Pulsar range .....Help .

Do not need a CD ripper , just purely a streamer.
Delighted to find this forum as the experience of others is always vital so would love some guidance.

EDIT .....I would buy used. Infact there is a Pulse Mini currently avaialble for just under £600.

 

[Womaz]

So I will reply to my own post as I have read the guide to the new Pulse range and the comparisons in the Stream Series Megapost thread. A great thread by the way.

So this is how I am now leaning but again would appreciate any input if anyone feels it would be useful.

The Innuos will replace my DMPA6 in the streaming duties. It will feed my Spring 3 KTE DAC and the Niimbus US5 Pro headphone amp.

First I will say I am not even sure a better streamer will make a differnce as I do hear the bits are bits argument. I tend not to get too hung up on this and i just buy some decent kit and forget about that whole argument.
A lot of people told me I would not be able to hear differences in DACs, but by god I can. My Qutest was much better than the DAC in my DMP A6. Anyway I digress.

The Stream 1 looks lovely and I may just go for this, however I would not get the additional LPS. So Maybe a second hand pulse would be better as that appears to have an improved LPS built in.

I dont need the option of the modules as this will be a one off purchase.

The Pulse mini is also an interesting option as they can be picked up relatively cheap now.

I have discounted the Zen models as I dont need a CD Ripper.
I dont need a DAC as I have the Spring 3 KTE.

So Stream 1, Pulse or Pulse mini seem the likely candiadtes. I would say I am favouring a second hand Pulse as there will be a few going I would imagine once the Stream 1 and 3 hit the retailers.

I feel a second hand pulse gives me more bang for my buck.

I use Roon and occasionaly Tidal Connect. Of course I would try the Sense app, but feel it would be Roon I use as I am a lifetime subscriber.

Any guidance really appreciated.

 

[Womaz]

After further research and reading maybe Zen MK3 is an option as looks like very reasonable used prices on eBay

 

[Stephen Healy]

Apologies, just noticed your dedicated thread here which is where I should have replied, rather than over on the 'megathread'!

As already mentioned, the STREAM1 would have more overall potential, but sounds like the PULSE would be a very good candidate for what you want currently. I would also probably still advise the PULSE over a ZEN Mk3, as the PULSE comes with more of what you do want and less of what you don't need compared to the ZEN Mk3.

I dont need the option of the modules as this will be a one off purchase.

The idea of the modules is that keeps a door open for you in case something does change. You might decide you don't want a separate DAC and want an integrated one instead? The module section would let you fit a PerformanceDAC. Or perhaps you get a different DAC you love the sound of but it has no USB input? Then the SPDIF module could account for that. Or, as mentioned before on the other thread, an upgrade-over-time approach where you add the better PhoenixUSB board at a later date to improve the sound further. Point being, the modules is just as much for the convenience of today as it might be for a year from now.
But these are hypotheticals - in the shorter-term of what you are considering now, PULSE does seem an ideal way to go that makes sense on a performance level relative to the DAC.

 

[Womaz]

Again thanks for the detailed reply, very helpful.
I will take my time and see which route I will take.

 

[Womaz]

I am right in assuming that broadly speaking that the Stream 1 on its own is not as good as the Pulse?
For the Stream 1 to match the pulse it has to have the LPS1? I know its not that simple as upgrade options etc, but based purely on sound quality.

 

[Stephen Healy]

I am right in assuming that broadly speaking that the Stream 1 on its own is not as good as the Pulse?
For the Stream 1 to match the pulse it has to have the LPS1? I know its not that simple as upgrade options etc, but based purely on sound quality.

Functionality aside, the PULSE would sound a bit better than STREAM1 its own with no dedicated output module. Like I say, over time the STREAM1 can be made to sound quite a lot better. So, it depends on your longer-term scope!

 

[Womaz]

Functionality aside, the PULSE would sound a bit better than STREAM1 its own with no dedicated output module. Like I say, over time the STREAM1 can be made to sound quite a lot better. So, it depends on your longer-term scope!

Thanks again. I doubt very much I will upgrade in the future as this is just for my headphone set up.
It’s already a big spend for this

 

[DanCollier]

Thanks again. I doubt very much I will upgrade in the future as this is just for my headphone set up.
It’s already a big spend for this

I'm sure you'll be happy with either option .