Lumin X1 with Innuous Zenith Mk3 Question

Hi OP,  Yes, I was also looking at the X1 and was surprised to see no other digital inputs.  I use my DAC as a streamer and endpoint for ROON, and also use additional optical input for TV Audio.  For this kind of money, I would strongly consider the Mola Mola Tambiqui.  I replaced my Auralic Vega G2 with the Tambiqui, and the difference was not subtle.  More of everything; better base, better resolution, improved soundstage, and more natural with less glare.  I hear all of these high end DACs benefit from a separate streamer, but also that the difference is small.  For now, I like the one box streamer / DAC and it sounds amazing.  Yes you need Roon Core elsewhere.  Hope that helps, Ken

Nekoaudio,
You are incorrect. The USB can be used either as a input or output. I know I own one.

ozzy

@ozzy The X1 USB connection can be used to attach a USB hard disk or flash drive, or to output audio to an external DAC, but it cannot be used as a USB audio input like snackeyp is looking for.

The Lumin X1 does have a usb input for your CD Player.

ozzy

@snackeyp you might consider the Linn network streaming DACs which do have digital inputs. They also use output transformers like the Lumin, but with a different DAC chip so it will sound different from the Lumin.

I'm actually searching for a DAC upgrade, not a server upgrade.  I mistakenly thought the X1 was a full featured DAC with streamer capabilities built in, but now I realize that it's a streamer first with an excellent DAC built-in.  I'm moving on to other options that are DAC based.  Thanks!

Your ZENith MK3 does the following in your configuration:

1 - Server (runs Roon Core)
2 - Streamer (I am guessing USB out to your DAC? What is your current DAC?)
3 - CD Ripper
4 - Storage for your music (Solid State Drive - SSD for short)

If you get a DAC with a streamer built in, which is nothing more than a network card built into the DAC, then you need something else for #1, #3, and #4. I am guessing among those three, the #1 is the most important part. You would need a machine to run Roon Core, something like what @nekoaudio mentioned (Nucleus, NUC, sonicTransporter, or even a general purpose computer). Whether that machine is as good as the Innuos as a server, it is up to you to decide.

IMO, since you already have a ZENith MK3, getting a good DAC with a nice USB input would work just as well. Basically, replace your current DAC with a better DAC with USB input.

The X1 is a combined streamer plus DAC. If you want just a streamer then the Lumin U1 might be worth a look...

I just realized that my question is basically moot after learning that the X1 does not include any digital inputs.  I wrongly assumed that it had full DAC features but now realize that it's designed primarily as a streaming device.  That's too bad as I will need to cross it off my list.  I need to at least have an input to run my CD player through.  

@nekoaudio 
Thanks for your response.  Very helpful 

If you aren't storing any of your music on the Innuos then you won't need it anymore (or move any music you have stored on it to your NAS), as Roon Core could be run on a much less expensive computer, either whatever computer you already have or you could buy something dedicated like an Intel NUC.

The Lumin X1 sounds magnificent, especially after the Leedh volume algorithm upgrade if you are bypassing any preamp. Roon's direct control of the Lumin volume might make bypassing a preamp relatively easy and convenient for you.

Of course there are lots of other Roon Ready DACs out there that sound excellent but different. Besides DCS, you might also consider MSB. I also recommend Devialet's Expert Pro series, but that might not be the direction you want to go in as they are all-in-one units. The Trinnov Amethyst is another good Roon Ready network streaming DAC that also adds the Trinnov Optimizer.

The issue will be ensuring that the sound character matches what you're looking for, so auditioning will be important. Lumin, DCS, MSB, Devialet, and Trinnov all sound different from each other to some degree.