Has anyone used the new Innuos 2.0 Sense music app? Compared it to Roon?

After listening more this morning the sound quality is actually significantly better with the new Innuos app. I am a huge Roon fan Agoners, so this is not something that is easy for me to say. The Roon interface is still far superior and I miss the Radio function of Roon immensely . However, on sound quality alone Innuos has something very special here. More work is needed on the feature offerings. 
This app is free for Innuos owners as an FYI.

I did, no answer as yet.  This feature is so important to me that it is a must have now! 

I ran Roon Core on my Innuos when using Roon.  I also used the better sounding experimental Squeezelite setting for the best sound possible out of Roon. 
The new 2.0 Sense is just much better sounding than Roon. Easily 30-50% better sounding. It’s like I am hearing my Zenith for the first time. Roon sounds harsh and rough compared to the Innuos software. 

Using “offline” mode in Sense disables the use of any streaming services so it can only be used when playing ripped CDs.   

Thyname, not sure I can answer your question? You need to have an a Innuos unit to use the new Sense software.  

Thyname, this may answer your question.

”At present the 2.0 software and Sense app will only control what an Innuos emits from its USB output but there are plans to allow it to control external streamers in the future, which would make it a genuine competitor for Roon as this is the only app that can control both servers and streamers to our knowledge. For Innuos owners who don’t use a separate streamer, Sense and the software behind it represent a significant upgrade on what went before and almost the best bit is that it’s free, which given the man hours that must have gone into its creation is very generous indeed.”

Innuos owners have not heard how good their Innuos units sound if using Roon in the past. This is just the simple fact.  I liked Roon and was ignorant of how much it was holding back the sound quality of my system. This Innuos Sense software is a great big deal! 
anzaan…is spot on with his comments.  

anzaanimalclinic

You are so right about listening to ripped or stored music with Sense in the offline mode! Wow……Best my digital library has ever sounded by a mile! 

I have not been this thrilled with my sound system since I purchased my first one as a skinny high school basketball player 🤓

I am beside myself. The dac is important……sure, but the darn software used, in this case, is the biggest SQ improvement I have heard in my system in 20 years. I cannot thank Innuos enough. 
I will try and contain myself fellow Agoners.

I do.  The Innuos Zen and Zenith with Sense 2.04 is on another level regarding SQ.  Just so much better.  Really not close.  Real sounding vs. digital artifacts and electronic sounding. Yes, my last statement is relative to the better a Innuos. I owned the Nucleus and used Roon.  

If Innuos Sense sounds nasal and raspy, then something else is wrong with your front end or settings.  

Absolutely! Enjoy……

Yes, offline is so much better.  Need for Innuos to get online streaming to sound as good as offline ripped CDs etc…

I need to update my findings over the past week or so. With the latest Roon 1.8 update the gap has closed quite a bit. Roon is close now. I still prefer the sound of Sense however. I use Roon to find new music, the DJ feature and for background listening. For serious listening I still use Sense.

Two great options! Easy to go back and forth. When using Roon I only listen in the experimental Squeezelite mode. That mode is by far the best sounding Roon option. Still a small step behind Sense in sound quality however. Sense is more open, nuanced and reveals more inner detail. Just more realism. 

Roon as had 2 updates over the last month or two and they have improved sound quality! Good new.  I find Roon to be more full bodied, warmer, rounder bass and a tad darker. Sense 2.08, make sure you have 2.08 as an update just came out, is more neutral, more articulate, more extended top, more articulate bass, more air, more dimensional and overall improved resolution.  Roon is warmer and less resolved. Some may prefer Roon based on system and subjective preference. 

I use both. If the recording is average I like Roon’s warming effect more. Today I am listening through Roon. On great sounding recordings and for critical listening I still prefer Sense. Roon is miles ahead in terms of user interface. Not even close. Roon radio is pure heaven as a feature!

 

Happy Thanksgiving all! Enjoy! 

If you don’t use DSP Roon can easily be both core and end point. I used my Zenith for both and DSP with no issues a couple of years ago. My experience anyway. 

A quick update to this thread. Innuos Sense has just released the 2.2.2 update and it sounds even better folks. To my ears the sound quality improvement is not minor, but rather impressive across the board. Innuos owners you’re in for a treat. It’s so wonderful to get a nice upgrade in sound quality for free! Love it. 

Very well said @antigrunge2 

Not saying the above set up is best.  It is not.  It is natural sounding, minimal boxes and reasonable money for the level of sound quality….excluding the cost of my particular dac.  

Charles,

 

If I were not playing some 1200 ripped CDs off my drive in the Zenith 3 and simply streaming, then I would buy the new Pulsar for sure. However, lately I find I am playing more HD Qobuz files now as they sound superior to my rips! So maybe I will just go 100% streaming at some point in the future. One day perhaps.

I know your getting a plan together for streaming and want it somewhat simple, uncluttered without an abundance of small boxes and wires. I suggest something like this.

1) put your modem/router right next to your audio rack. Make sure it is a good modem/router like my Netgear Nighthawk. Do what you need to make this happen.
2) power this modem/router with a nice linear power supply. I have a Keces p8 that powers my modem and audiophile switch. Just one power supply power both. Less boxes than buying numerous LPSs. My P8 can power three separate units.
3) the digital power cables used off of your power supply are very important. Get goods ones. I made double and triple shielded ones for my rig. They make a sonic difference.
4) use good ethernet cables. I have tried all manner of good ones from SABLON, SOTM Cat7 and others. The best I have owned are my Ethernet Acoustics Muon cables.

Here is my current network chain;

Netgear Nighthawk Modem/wireless router - Network Acoustics Muon ethernet - Network Acoustics Rubicon switch - Network Acoustics Muon filter - Innuos Zenith MK3 - Tchernov Ultimate USB cable - Tron Atlantic Signature dac. My Keces P8 powers the modem and NA Rubicon switch.

The Network Acoustics filter is amazing. It is passive and thus does not take power or a power cord. It is tiny and easily hides away!

If I get a Pulsar, then all would stay the same in my network and I would just replace the Zenith.

Just one look at a well performing streaming front end.

 

Wow Charles! Look at that power supply with 3 individual trannys and a couple of chokes. Love it! I think I even see a couple of Audio Note Kaisei capacitors as well as AN top shelf Tantalum resistors. I will spend more time on their site and poke around. I have no doubt you will enjoy this dac for many, many years!