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!
12 responses Add your response
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... |
Babyseaotter My dac is not so well known at all on these shores , AudioByte Hydra Vox digital stack 1bit FPGA dual power supplies with a third identical box of a yet to be released streamer, AudioByte a sister company of Rockna .If the AudioByte streamer was released last fall as scheduled I would of bought it instead of Innuos , putting in time and farting around listening to other front ends is how I got to listen to the Cocktail X-50 server streamer ,..Awful discribes it best . |
Babyseaotter Innuos have their own management APP of course available for the most popular devices one of which you may use.Management is easy , well thought out and glitch free so far . The Phoenix is a through and through proprietary designed all in one box USB regenerator with power supplies and clock . I was first sceptical of my understanding this component add on was just another signal regenerator at a healthy asking price however I was wrong about it . Adding this to my server was the most significant all at once jump in sound quality I have ever experienced . The dac I use i2s is preferred over USB and other digital input however I don’t care , I’m so content and satisfied I’m leaving everything alone ,..for now . Output from my dac I’m currently using XLR into a pair of Lamm mono blocks . |
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? |
If your priority is sound quality with ease of use don’t waist anymore of your time with the Cocktail servers return it and get your money back ,..What you’ve read about the Innuos product line is solid information you can trust. Management of your music collection is similar to other servers streamers on the market using your phone / iPad or what have you. I don’t know what the advantages are looking at a fixed album cover on a tv would be as opposed to a hand held device. Dont get too hung up on only having a USB / Ethernet option , that alone kept me from even considering the Innuos server line until I finally listened to the Innuos Zenith 3. However if you just gotta have a specific input output there’s lots of converters available on the market . Innuos server product line cover anyone’s budget which includes their entry level server with built in dac with optional power supplies. I use a Zenith 3 with the Innuos Phoenix, this combination is the biggest single jump in sound quality I’ve ever experienced. |