Innuos Zen next-gen vs. Pulsar for streaming...?

Directly comparing any Innuos product in a meaningful way is very difficult since  they only support a USB output and I am unaware of any DACs that have two USB inputs.  Consequently there is no real time A/B testing.  Even if the Statement Next Gen was better than the Pulsar I suspect you would be hard pressed to reliably know that given the time delay of getting up from the listening position and going to the DAC, switching cables, switching the streamer in the Sense App and listening again.  Few mere mortals have an audio memory that last long enough to permit a firm conclusion.

I upgraded from a Zenith MK 3 to the Pulsar and I couldn't promise you that it was actually better.  But it seemed better comparing to a Roon End Point so that was enough for me but psychological bias is a powerful factor when the differences are subtle.

I upgraded from the Zenith 3 to the Pulsar and am enjoying a very significant jump in sonic performance. A close friend did the same with the exact same result. The improvement was across the board on all important sonic parameters. Improved dynamics, resolution, purity of tone, imaging, improved sense of ease and control and more bass slam and articulation.

If your system is well sorted out and highly resolving, then I can’t image not both hearing and appreciating the improved sonics. I suppose system synergy, level of room treatments and other factors not mentioned will play a role.

I did the same upgrade, with the same results.  A noticeable improvement in all areas.

Not exactly what you are looking for but I recently went from Pulsar to Zenith Next Gen (so one step up from the Zen Next Gen).  Not night and day, but definite audible improvement in sound.  A little more presence and detail, but not fatiguing.  I would guess the Zen might have at least somewhat similar (if maybe a bit less significant) improvements, but without having heard it, I, of course, can’t really know.  I also wanted the built in server function to eliminate an external box and that works well.  Between trade up deal they were running a few months ago and trade on my prior server, I ended up with a reasonable (if still expensive) price.  I’m happy overall with the change.

Interesting @johnboston, so did your Zenith NG come with a drive to rip CDs or are you using it purely as a streamer? I see that you can buy it configured as a server or streamer? Can you give some insights to Sense 3? Are there differentiating user features or behavior or are the changes under the covers? Did you demo this at a dealer or did you buy it on blind faith? Thanks!