I have a Vermeer Audio Model Two DAC, which already has an excellent built-in streamer. I am now considering purchasing an Innuos server to push TIDAL to the Vermeer via UPnP. If it is used only for this purpose, would there be any noticeable difference in sound quality between the ZEN Mk3, ZENith Mk3 and Pulsar?
ZEN mk3 vs ZENith mk3 vs Pulsar
- Thread starter rabbix
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I wouldn’t personally recommend purchasing one of our systems specifically to use SenseUPnP. It’s still an experimental feature and really intended as a convenience for occasional use, rather than the optimal setup.
For best performance, I’d suggest connecting one of our systems directly to the Vermeer via its USB DAC input. While I’m sure the Vermeer’s internal streaming module is very capable, a performant, robust , dedicated streamer like ours should hold its own and can (will likely) offer an improved experience.
For best performance, I’d suggest connecting one of our systems directly to the Vermeer via its USB DAC input. While I’m sure the Vermeer’s internal streaming module is very capable, a performant, robust , dedicated streamer like ours should hold its own and can (will likely) offer an improved experience.
Thank you very much for your comments.
My friend owns an Innuos ZEN Mk3 and a Vermeer Two. He also borrowed several streamers at different price levels and conducted careful comparisons. His conclusion was that the LAN input on the Vermeer Two sounds significantly better than its USB input. To surpass the LAN input, you would need a streamer at least at the level of an Aurender N20, connected via AES/SPDIF.
That is why I prefer to use Innuos as a UPnP server rather than as a streame since I don't have the money to buy a ZEN Statement.
My friend owns an Innuos ZEN Mk3 and a Vermeer Two. He also borrowed several streamers at different price levels and conducted careful comparisons. His conclusion was that the LAN input on the Vermeer Two sounds significantly better than its USB input. To surpass the LAN input, you would need a streamer at least at the level of an Aurender N20, connected via AES/SPDIF.
That is why I prefer to use Innuos as a UPnP server rather than as a streame since I don't have the money to buy a ZEN Statement.
Just to clarify, the LAN port is not an audio output on our systems, its simply a means to connect another device to the network. Its a bridged set of ethernet ports.
We have a detailed post on understanding SenseUPnP here - https://community.innuos.com/threads/senseupnp-feedback-thread.372/post-4509
And a general article on USB vs Ethernet https://innuos.com/kb/which-sounds-better-ethernet-or-usb-which-should-i-use/
I'd recommend you test a system yourself and form your own opinion of course, it'll be easy to switch between the two for testing so you can see which you prefer more
.
We have a detailed post on understanding SenseUPnP here - https://community.innuos.com/threads/senseupnp-feedback-thread.372/post-4509
And a general article on USB vs Ethernet https://innuos.com/kb/which-sounds-better-ethernet-or-usb-which-should-i-use/
I'd recommend you test a system yourself and form your own opinion of course, it'll be easy to switch between the two for testing so you can see which you prefer more
.
Any of our devices will work well as a low-noise UPnP server, but the increasing benefits of the hardware when going up to ZENith, STATEMENT, etc become less of an influence if it is not the device doing the actual playing/streaming, which is still the case even if using SenseUPnP.
As Dan says, I would not base an entire purchase solely around SenseUPnP. Roon would be an option since Roon Core can run on our devices. Other than that, you could consider something like BubbleUPnP running on your phone that chooses the Innuos as the server and the Vermeer as the renderer.
If LAN is the primary signal path method in this setup, you would get more sound quality gains by addressing the network switch stage - something like the PhoenixNET would have a much more direct impact on sound quality.
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