Give it more time. Some things take longer than others. I recently purchased a Pulsar and went through the same break in blues you’re experiencing. Mine took more than 500 hrs. before things leveled out completely. Despite going through this process before I too felt I might have gotten a bad unit. Nope, all it needed was time to fully break in. Good cables will improve things once the unit is broken in, but require a break in period of their own. Wait until the unit is fully broken in before playing with cables or you’ll complicate things and just confuse yourself. Patience is a virtue 🙃.
New Innuos Pulse, need assistance.
I'm now two weeks into having a Innuos Pulse (upgrade from Bluesound Node2i) in my system, Im a streaming only guy. System is Tidal/Pulse/McIntosh MA8950 (with its DAC). Im using my Cardas Parsec COAX cable from Pulse to MAC. I'm using supplied ethernet cable. My initial impression was- more detail, soundstage, requiring less volume from AMP, more bass. \However, I also found that sound was bit sharp, that is to say, no smooth, bass is louder, but almost too much. Of course its hard to describe sound impressions but I'd say Im not loving it yet, just doesn't sound great to me. I continue to run it (break in). Probably approaching if not surpassed 200hrs. Ive asked the dealer to send me a good USB cable (likely Cardas) to try and its on its way. Im anxious to see it that will change things. Any thoughts or experiences with the Pulse? Thanks for all feedback.