I don‘t think the new USB audio craze is ultimately delivering best sound. I use a Zenith Mk3 into Schiit Eitr into Antelope Zodiac Platinum via SP/DIF. The Zodiac has an USB port but sound via SP/DIF is far superior. The Schiit Eitr is a fine converter and you can easily find it in the used market.
Innuos Zen MK III and Cocktail Audio X50D - streamer/servers
So I just purchased a Cocktail Audio X50D and I am...underwhelmed. It was tough to find any decent detailed reviews on the Cocktail, I did look. It just checked off all of my boxes so I thought I would try it.
What I was looking for was:
1. Decent Sound Quality
2. Internal Storage
3. Access to Tidal or QoBuz (haven't decided yet as I need to explore more)
4. A video output to be able to see album art (or menus, etc) on my TV (my home stereo in my living room is also my 2 channel system)
So, the Cocktail does not have fantastic sound (I think my Sony HAP ZiES sounded better), and the graphics/GUI on the Cocktail audio are less than ideal. Seriously - like late 1990s level of quality. The GUI is extremely un-user friendly. I know, I should give it more time.
However, to hedge my bets I am looking at other servers/streamers while I still have the ability to return the Cocktail.
The Zen MK III seems to get very favorable reviews for both sound and ease of use, but I was wondering if anyone has any experience, especially in these areas:
1. Is it possible to have it display album art, etc on a TV?
2. How would I connect it to a Krell Foundation?
The Krell has HDMI inputs, Digital Optical, Coaxial Digital Audio, Balanced XLR and of course RCA.
I guess the Zen doesn't do any DAC, which is fine because the Krell does that very nicely, but how could I get the physically get the signal into the Krell?
Would I need an external DAC? The Zen only has USB 2.0 and ethernet outputs.
https://www.innuos.com/en/catalog/go/zen-mk3-1tb-hdd-black
Anyway, if anyone has any comments that would be appreciated, as well as another streamer/server that can do what I am looking for that someone likes.
Thanks!
What I was looking for was:
1. Decent Sound Quality
2. Internal Storage
3. Access to Tidal or QoBuz (haven't decided yet as I need to explore more)
4. A video output to be able to see album art (or menus, etc) on my TV (my home stereo in my living room is also my 2 channel system)
So, the Cocktail does not have fantastic sound (I think my Sony HAP ZiES sounded better), and the graphics/GUI on the Cocktail audio are less than ideal. Seriously - like late 1990s level of quality. The GUI is extremely un-user friendly. I know, I should give it more time.
However, to hedge my bets I am looking at other servers/streamers while I still have the ability to return the Cocktail.
The Zen MK III seems to get very favorable reviews for both sound and ease of use, but I was wondering if anyone has any experience, especially in these areas:
1. Is it possible to have it display album art, etc on a TV?
2. How would I connect it to a Krell Foundation?
The Krell has HDMI inputs, Digital Optical, Coaxial Digital Audio, Balanced XLR and of course RCA.
I guess the Zen doesn't do any DAC, which is fine because the Krell does that very nicely, but how could I get the physically get the signal into the Krell?
Would I need an external DAC? The Zen only has USB 2.0 and ethernet outputs.
https://www.innuos.com/en/catalog/go/zen-mk3-1tb-hdd-black
Anyway, if anyone has any comments that would be appreciated, as well as another streamer/server that can do what I am looking for that someone likes.
Thanks!