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

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!

None of the NG machines come with a cd drive built in.  You can easily add one to one of the USB ports in the back.  I have ripped most of my music on CD already — so ripping isn’t a high priority for me.  I did buy a cheap LG dvd ripper (model number GP65NS60) that I used to rerip a couple of cds and it worked fine.  Follow the directions on Innuos’ website to get it set up — very easy.

You can configure the Zenith NG with built in SSD storage from Innuos or you can add it yourself later.  I got a 4TB drive pre-installed — more space than I’ll ever likely need, but it’s also easy to add a second drive if you want.  I had used a separate music server with the Pulsar and wanted to eliminate one box by combining the server/streaming function into a single box.

So, I both stream Tidal/Qobuz and play locally stored music through the Zenith.  No real differences in Sense 3 between the Zenith and the Pulsar in terms of functionality as far as I know other than the lack of ability to have internal music storage on the Pulsar.

No demo for me.  I did buy from a place I could have returned it, but I wasn’t expecting that to be the case.  I’ve been using Innuos machines for close to 10 years and each time I’ve upgraded I got better sound and good functionality.  And this is again the case with the Zenith NG.

Hope this helps

Thanks @johnboston, fills in a lot of blanks to the direction they are going. And yes, a home demo for something like this would be a must as I am one of the unfortunates @pinwa mentioned; my auditory memory stinks

@grannyring Excellent observations.  I moved from Zenith MK3 to Zenith NG and found very little SQ improvements.  I will say this it sounds much better running Roon than on the MK3.  I think that's because its processor is more powerful?

Hi guys.

3rd post but longtime lurker/reader.

I currently have a ZeniTH 3 and looking to upgrade to Pulsar or possibly one of the new NG range once my house sale and downsize is completed.

However my interest at this point is what DACs your using, I'm currently running a very heavily modded Black Ice DSD (VCap ODAM, AN Kensai, New ClassD etc)

My current thinking is to go for an Aqua La Scala mk3 Optologic due to its excellent USB or if funds are a tad lite then a Holo May L3 KTE.

I like a relaxed, organic, yet detailed presentation.