DAC options to consider for Innuos streamer

I use the Innuos  MKIII Mini. I've had it hooked up to my Denefrips Pontus for past five years. No complaints.

What improvements/sound characteristics are you looking for, what’s your budget, and are you looking for new or used?

I had decided to purchase the Pulsar but fell into a good opportunity on a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Optical. Those two, along with Auralic’s ARIES G2.2, were at the top of my streamer list.

Like the Signature Rendu, the Pulsar only outputs USB. DAC choices are personal and there are quite a few good ones out there. The only way to know for sure is to listen, preferably in your own system. One consideration before you begin your journey is to consider adding a DDC to your system. As one example, the Singxer SU-6 is relatively inexpensive and will accept the USB input from your Pulsar, reportedly reduce jitter even further, and then give you a choice of outputs to your DAC, which include I2S, S/PDIF via rca or bnc, AES/EBU, and Toslink. Including a DDC in your system can relieve you of the concern for which input sounds best with your prospective DAC choices, and you will not be limited to only DACs with USB inputs.

I’m also in the market for a Pulsar to pair with my Denafrips Terminator Plus, which I also recommend highly. Just a clarification to Mitch’s comments, Innuos will have different output modules available for the Pulsar very soon. At least that is what I’ve been told by Innuos. I’m waiting on the I2s module to pair with my Terminator and understand that spdif modules will also be available. So if you need or prefer something besides a usb output from your new Pulsar, options are coming.  I’d also be careful adding a ddc to the Pulsar, which already comes with a reclocker built-in.  Based on what I’ve read a 2nd reclocker could cause a problem.

I have the Pulsar and run it USB into a Lampizator Atlantic TRP.  The Lampizator just takes a smidgen of the edge off the focal Sopra 3 berillium tweeter.  It is rich with the toped sparkle.

Playback Designs MPD-8.

USB to Denafrips IRIS to Pontus II via I2S, surperb combo for less than a Terminator.

I have an Innuos Zenith and use a Merason Reuss DAC, I have been very pleased with this combination. I recently swapped in a WireWorld Platinum USB cable, I cannot overstate how much difference this made, a massive improvement. Point being, don’t skimp on the cable when you in the next DAC. 

I have & really enjoy an Innuos Zenith Mark II for both streaming Qobuz & ripping my CD’s. I just very recently upgraded to  Bricasti M 1 Series II DAC & thrilled with the sound. Huge sound stage, very dynamic,, beautiful tone, dead quiet all without being hard or “ digital” sounding. Its the first time I’ve heard digital sound on my system that is on par w/ my Basis table / arm combo. It’s pricey but worth it if you can afford it.

I live in MA & got a personal tour of their facility in Shirley, MA in an old converted factory on a river. They machine every non  - electronic part themselves on 4 big CNC milling machines & hand wind their own transformers there too. They use high quality electronic components, design the circuits & have the main board built next door to them by a specialty company that has another very high tech CNC machine & special oven for the soldering. 

Im sure there are many fine DACS out there but I like the idea of smaller, artisan companies that produce quality products. There aren’t that many left anymore. 
 

I'm very familiar with your speakers and they a sound lovely.  I would shy away from a R2R DAC with your speakers, they might sound too dull.

I had my Innuos Zen Mk III connected to a Schiit Yggy and loved it.  The latest iteration of the Yggy (+) has very good reviews.  Plus it's upgradeable.

I'd go with the Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC. Simply unbeatable.  

Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC. Simply unbeatable.

I understand why some would think so, and I would not argue that it should be on a "must hear" list, but this stuff is all about "the ear of the beholder."  I owned a Tambaqui and would describe the sound as "perfect", but I sold mine because I enjoy the sound of two other DACs I own more.

Hello,

I also use the Innuos Zen Mini Mk3 as a streamer running Sense via USB into my T+A Dac200 then into my Krell gear. I am quite happy with this chain, but I am considering changing from USB to I2S just to see if/how it is different. My prior DAC was the Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE, but I found that too soft. I also tried the Krell DAC, which I liked, but it was missing what I describe as energy.   The worst DAC I tried was the internal one in the Innuos Zen Minik Mk3 - but I ran that with Roon.

As previously suggested, just try a few and listen to what happens. If you can’t or don’t want to buy new with a return policy, you might try used as you should be able to resell it for what you paid for it.

Good luck.

What is your price range?

I use a Mola Mola Tambaqui with my Pulsar

It all sounds great to me

I am using a Holo May KTE Dac with my Aurender N20 and the sound I am getting is superb. Coda amp and preamp. 

Don't bother. Any stand alone DAC you add will be a lateral move.  Or worse you will lengthen the signal path allocating money for a cable for no reason.  If your preamp were purely analog then yes. But you have one of the best onboard already.

After I went through a DAC upgrade from my Mac DAC2 board (C2700) it took a significant amount $ to beet it in all respects. Few I tried were just side steps for a slight different sound. Your going to have to spend upwards of $3000+ to get any real upgrade, everything else IMO is just a side step for a slightly different sound. I ended up with a Chord Dave (used) but I'd say the same for the TT at much less money then the Dave. you're really going to have to audition DAC's do not buy unheard or you may be surprised how good the DAC2 board is.

Also considering the DAC2 board has an excellent HDMI ARC connection for a TV integration (if needed). No other DAC I've seen at this level has HDMI ARC, for me this was pivotal for movies and TV-apple 4k TV box streaming (2ch).  noting I use the apple 4k box for primarily background music and TV. 

A dac to pair with pulsar ... 

Soulnote d-2 with external clock .

Haven't heard better yet ! 

Opening Pandora's Box.  

I have an Innuos Pulse with the Innuos Phoenix USB (together they are similar to the Pulsar) going into a PS Audio DirectStream Mk 1.  I have enjoyed the combination, but realized there was more to pull out of my system.  Yesterday I ordered a Bricasti M1S2.  This should be my final DAC for many years.

The Innuos products deserve excellent DACs.  My understanding is the Innuos listening room uses the Statement NG going streaming into the Chord M-Scaler, then the Dave.  Lots of bucks there.

Mola Mola Tambaqui is great sounding for the money.  I am using Zenith SE with mine.

A few recommendations:

1.  The Innuos greatly benefits from isolation:  Nordost SortKones (BC or better yet TC) and even better Stillpoints.

2.  Synergistic Research fuses on both.

3.  Get a really great USB cable.

4.  And… most importantly:  The Innuos Sense app sounds significantly better than the Roon (I use both as I prefer the Roon experience but Sense SQ is superior).  If you are going to use the Roon: try converting the output from flac to DSD64 or DSD128 inside of the Roon system.  I have found this results in the most natural sound and best overall SQ for Roon…  The Tambaqui loves DSD signal!  But even this doesn’t quite get to Sense level.

Good luck!

I own an Innuos Zenith MK II SE as mentioned by psnyder149. I agree with his comments in particular that the Sense OS sounds much better than Roon. I have recently tested in my system more than a dozen DACs from $5k-$25k. I selected what I believe offered the best SQ at the best price in my system, in my treated room. I decided on a T+A DC 200. That said, I thought the following DAC's were excellent and have great synergy with the Innuos, Meitner DA2, Meitner MA3, Bricasti M1 SE, Tambaqui. I felt the differences in SQ between these DACs and others I have tested but not mentioned where not so significant as to justify spending multiples in dollars for seemingly subtle differences between them. Just my experience and IMHO. I hope this helps. Just because you may be wondering what system components I am using. Tekton Double Impact speakers, Hegel H390, Ansuz C2 power distribution and cabling, Innuos Zenith Mk II SE, Innuos reclocker. Room 14x25x8. I hope this is helpful. Good luck.