Got Innuous, now a DAC

I have the same Innuos Zen Mk3, also from The Music Room, and run it through a PS Audio Directstream DAC. I use USB that first goes through a Matrix Audio x-SPDIF2 that has an IIS output the DAC can use. You can probably get the Directstream Mk1 for under $2000 used since the Mk2 came out. The Music Room sells PS Audio’s trade-in gear so they usually have the older model in stock. Several folks in our local audio club have them I had tried and tried to run a Mac Mini as my server with.Audirvana, and finally gave up and got the Innuos. Their app is very good, and yes, Qobuz sounds super thru the Innuos.

@rog5878 Congratulations on your first post here! 

I purchased the Pontus 15 in early January 2025 from Audiophile 58 on US Audio Mart, complete with a warranty. I highly recommended. A few key insights:

*Skip the Pontus 12—the 15 is a major upgrade and is reportedly on par with the higher-end Venus.

*Burn-in is essential — while it arrives with 100 hours of factory burn-in, I strongly suggest an additional 500 hours of continuous playback. The sonic transformation is remarkable.

*Invest in a high-quality USB cable — the entry-level Cardas USB is solid, but the WyWires Platinum USB is a game-changer, elevating performance significantly.

*I am using the Pontus 15 in a high-performance speaker system, and it has been a revelation.

Additionally, my headphone system features a high-end streamer connected via WyWires Platinum USB to an LTA Aero DAC and LTA MZ3 headphone amp, both with upgraded tubes. I was hesitant to invest in an Aero DAC and a streamer upgrade for my speaker system, so I opted for the Pontus 15 instead. No regrets. It has exceeded my expectations.

I purchased my Gaia through @audioman58, also gave me heads up on Tubulus I2S cables, expensive but just wonderful cables.

FWIW, you can get a new Pontus 15th for far less than MSRP through @audioman58. Bump the budget a little more and get a fantastic Venus 15th. (Which is essentially the old Terminator II)

chord Worth looking at.  I had a blue sound node and it was nice but the quality was not that great.  I'm sure that was a dramatic change. Choosing the right dac Will be very important to making older music sound good. I used a lumen x1 streamer/dac and was really happy. So my chord stored away. I don't like separate dacs if you can find a good streamer/dac but I do like to streamer you got.

If you can locate a previously owned Aqua La Voce, jump on it. Very organic sound (IMO). If not, and you can afford it, buy it new- I think it's around $6K (maybe more now as it's been awhile since I checked). I was so amazed, I upgraded to the Aqua Formula (their high-end DAC). It added further improvement, La Voce was a giant step up from a decent DAC in the Hegel integrated I had at the time. Now set for the duration.

I still have the original Pontus ll and it’s still has a wonderful sound to it.  I’m looking forward to upgrading someday, but I’m not a a great hurry.  Although I have had an eye out for a DDC. 😃

I would add the Border Patrol Dac to your list at your price point. There has always been a synergy between Innuos and Border Patrol, and both brands build around the quality of their power supplies. Gary Dews at Border Patrol also sells Innuos products. The Border Patrol SE-i is a refined, natural, human-sounding DAC that is not fatiguing. I use that with my Innuos Zenith as I wanted a streamer/dac to match my Esoteric transport and Audio Note Dac combo.  
   

Chord Qutest! In my system it was transformative.

I have an Innuos Zenith & had a Border Patrol which was very nice & musical if not the most detailed & refined as better ones. I tried a few including the latest PS Audio Direct Steam which was quite good in some ways but was strangely noisy at times. I even had them send me a second unit w/ the same strange & annoying results. I settled on a Bricasti M1 Series II which is more costly but sounded so good, I had to go with it. I don’t replace equipment very often so I go w/ the best stuff I can afford at the time.
 

The Bricasti is dead silent, black background, very dynamic w/ a huge enveloping image & no fatigue. The quality of construction seems rock solid &  build just about every part used including their transformers other than the circuit boards which are made next door. Their model 3 is of similar quality for half the price & might be a good consideration. 

I've recently had the pleasure of listening to several DACs around your price range and above.  In my opinion the Gustard R26 was way better than the holoaudio cyan 2 in my system.  The Holoaudio has insanely revealing top end but the mids are so flat and unrealistic.  The gustard is more even across the entire frequency spectrum and maintains way more warmth while still providing a ton of detail.  If you're smart, you'll order multiple in your price range and sell or return what you don't like.  Or if you have a hifi store nearby, borrow some demo models.  The best DAC I tried by far was the T&A D200.  Imo just use that as streamer and DAC.  Can get a used one for less than 5k rn and it is leaps and bounds above the other DACs you listed.  Good luck to you!! 

I agree with need to look at higher grade dacs with that streamer. Laiv Harmony is wonderful dac, Musetec 005 may also fall in your budget area. Both have configurable I2S pin settings if you went DDC route.

I am using an Innuos Pulse Mini with the built in dac.   But looking to pick up an external dac if it would be an improvement.   I had a Denefrips ares ii. but sold it.   I currently have a border patrol in another system that I like.   Was thinking of an MHDT....or maybe trying to find a Lab 12, Aqua. or Audio Tubadour on the used market.

Chord Qutest is a great DAC...

I think you may not get everything the Zen has to offer if you spend less on you DAC than the streamer.  The DAC will have more bearing on what you hear than the streamer.  

Take a hard look at Holo Audio and Denafrips.  They should be a very good pairing.  Good luck and cheers.

Totally agree with @soix in adding the DDC. Adding the DDC to my Pontus was on par with when I added the Pontus. I was originally going to go with Iris, however I needed the flexibility for the additional inputs Hermes offered...Game changer adding the DDC!

I have been down that long upgrading the streaming road too. Like you I started with the Node 130, then added a Teddy Pardo LPS using USB to a Gustard X26 PRO. Then moved on to a Innuos Zenith mk3 still using the USB connection. Then got a DDC to use the I2s connection. Then switched to a Gustard A26. Still looking for more, forked out bigger moneys and got an Audio Mirror Tubadout V tube dac. Not to mention the ethernet switch, optical ethernet line clean-up and countless cables and fuses changes. Bottom line is, if you can budget it, everyone of those steps got me closer to music nirvana to my ears. To the point now that my streaming is arguably better sounding than my vinyl or CD gear, and that's no easy task in my house of stereo. Enjoy the journey!

I bought an Aurender N20 for a very good price on TMR and was very satisfied with the improvement over the Node with LPS and the Eversolo DMP A6 Master Edition with LPS. You should have plenty of offerings on TMR for high quality used Dacs like the Pontus

Congratulations on your new equipment.  I did the same moving from a Bluesound Node N130 to a used Zen Mk3 from an excellent local dealer.  I immediately noticed an improvement streaming Qobuz too.  I find the Sense app is even better than the BluOs app which was my favorite.  I use a Blue Jeans cable tested 6a Ethernet cable into the Zen from my router and a Pine Tree Audio USB cable into a Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC.  The Cyan 2 cost under $1400 US delivered.  It’s a great pairing.  The best DAC I’ve tried for under $2K.  

In that price range, Holo Audio Cyan 2 from Ali Express. Otherwise if you want to try some light DIY, iancanada.ca, you can choose different inputs, have a reclocker, I would use an I2S with galvanic isolation.

I would suggest one of the Schiit DACs.  I had a Bifrost 2/64 and liked it a lot. 

PS Audio was decent too.

The team at the Music Room could help identify a nice fit for your system.

I’ll second the Ayre QB9 Twenty. Sounds great and you can find it used already upgraded to the Twenty. I’ve moved on to a T+A but for the $, the Ayre is hard to beat.

The Gustard manual isn't bad.  They just fail to cover firmware updates.  Which is bad. Lol. 

It's over your budget, but I'm very happy with my Gustard X30 dac. I'm using a Gustard U18 ddc, but you could use the USB input. I also have an Innuos Zen Mk3 streamer. 

Some good suggestions.  @soix The DDC is a good tip.

@gdnrbob You are correct.  I would also receive solid support from Ayre.  I see several for sale.

Denafrips is good sound for the price

Gustard sounds like my Topping.  A manual that is unintelligible.

@xpsvwino I didn’t notice any improvement with the firmware update. It really wasn’t worth the risk of bricking it.

I did it because I thought it would increase the font size on the display, but it didn't do it. 

@sls883 I tried a couple videos and the very informative Head-fi thread but it seems to be very cable dependent and after a couple cables ordered, I quit trying.

I'm very happy with the sound non the less.

Gary

I have a ZENith MK3 into a LAiV Harmony and I really enjoy it!

@xpsvwino I was able to update my R26 when I had it.  I found a video on YouTube.  It was a little sketchy, but I managed to do it.  I was kinda worried that I would brick the dac.  Gustard needs to provide good directions for updating firmware.

I don't know of any Ayre Dx9, perhaps you are referring to the QB9? In any case, it has been upgraded to Twenty status and is one of my favorites.

You can buy a used QB9 for around $1K and get it upgraded by Ayre to Twenty status, if you want. Even the Codex is a capable unit and it is now under $1K used.

I use my QB 9 Twenty in my office system with Innuos Mini Mk3. No issues at all.

Bob

If you go with the Pontus know that down the road for not much $$$ you could get a used Iris DDC and get a significant performance bump.  I got a used Iris for $400 and the improvements far outweighed the cost.  Best of luck. 

Speaking of tubes, what about Border Patrol

Another vote for Aqua La Voce with NOS tubes. 

Should have been 390

I have a Zen MKIII with a Gustard R26 into a Hegel H389.  The only thing I don't like about the Gustard is that updating is a pain (i haven't been successful but it still sounds very good and trouble free after 18 months).

Gary

 I remember five years ago when I started building my system, I heard many say streamers don’t matter. Well they do. I thought my BS Node 2i was good with the after market power supply. The Innuous kicked dirt in the face of the BS.

I just want to quote that again. Congratulations on overcoming this hurdle, getting rid of the BS, and getting better sound in retirement!

Sorry no DAC suggestions.  but I will say the only one on that list I would want to hear would be the Aqua. 

I am a couple of clicks above with my Pulsar and Terminator Plus but I can tell you these two makers sound very good together.  If you do go Denafrips don’t use Ali Express, no warranty.  You can still stay under $2k with the Pontus 15th through an authorized seller.