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!

babyseaotter99

Showing 4 responses by babyseaotter99

in_shore
Yeah, I am thinking the "display on a TV" was really just a wish, and I am not hung up on it. I am quickly realizing the Cocktail is just not that high quality of a product. Th GUI is more frustrating on a daily basis..

What software/application do you use (with your phone or tablet) to navigate and play music on the MK3?
Is there a native one for the unit or do you have to buy/install something else?

Also, what purpose does the Phoenix serve?

So you have a MK3, which then feeds into the Phoenix, and then to a DAC, and then to an amplifier/processor?



in_shore
Thanks for the advice, but as much as I appreciate good gear that is outside of my rice range. 

So you mentioned using an Auralic DAC and I started looking at their gear and found this, which seems to have everything I am looking for: 

Auralic Altair G1
https://us.auralic.com/products/altair-g1?variant=30892260065413

Internal Storage
Streaming Services
Built in DAC

I might consider that since its all in one and does just about everything I am looking for...
@in_shore 
So I just got the Aurailc and initial impressions are very favorable! A nice piece of equipment and the iOs interface is pretty impressive since its a homemade application.
Thanks for sending me that way - several long months of frustration (and wasted money) are over! :)