What happened to the Innous discussion

sls883,  True, but I bought a very nice USB cable,.  and I've read here that usb might be better than coax.  I tried to be as fair as possible and may have even cheated a bit in favor of the Innous streamer because I really wanted to like it.  But it was no better than the Bluesound Vault.  I even tried the Zen with and without the Weiss DAC.  So maybe the addition of the DAC to the Vault made the quality as good as the much more expensive Zen option.  

@mojo771 I don't know which would work better with your dac.  I believe USB uses the clock in your dac where coaxial uses the clock in the source.  That could create a difference in sound quality.  

I bought a USB cable that retails around $500 when I bought my Innuos.  I haven't done any comparisons with other USB cables. I know some guys spend a lot more on USB cables.

I had always felt that my streamer sounded better than my cd/sacd player which I connect to my dac via coaxial digital.  I bought an Acoustic Zen MC2 coaxial cable and now the sound quality is close.  I never thought a digital cable would make much difference, but it did.

There may very well be little difference between the Innous streamer and the Vault.  IDK.  My Innous goes to a U18 ddc and into the i2s input on my dac.  I haven't listened to it by going USB directly into my dac.  I already had the U18, so I'm using it. 

I was just pointing out that you're looking at more than just the difference in streamers.  I'm not saying that your conclusion is wrong. 

Thanks for that @marco1 I was trying to be diplomatic!  I use research and other people’s input and, to a limited extent measurements, when I am initially looking for my next purchase.  I do get a kick out of people who tell me I’m wrong when they don’t know me, my ears, my room, my system synergies, my sound preferences or the relationship with my salespeople. And, to your last point, they also don’t write the check. 

I own a Innuos Zenith NG and prior to that a Zenith MK3.  They both fed my MSB Reference DAC.  I think the sound improvements from streamers are largely a function of your DAC’s USB implementation.  I like innuos products for their Sense app and convenience of use. In my system the SQ improvement has been marginal.  I have a very revealing system.

It was getting Inn(oc)uous