New car syndrome? The sound improvement will be marginal and the new software will have its own quirks and irritations. Buy a stand alone dac.
Innuous Zenith Mk3 and Phoenix vs Esoteric N-05XD
I own the Zenith and Phoenix, came from computer audio and was amazed at the quality difference these made, along with upgraded power cords, to transform my 20 year old system (which doesn’t even have my Krell amp in it..repair) into a very pleasing sound. The downside of owning these (it’s only been about 6 weeks) is that after using Audirvana (with computer) the Innuous Sense app drove me crazy. I’ve been told that this is one of the better softwares for controlling music compared to others...one man’s ceiling is another man’s floor. It drove me crazy and still has limited to no library management tools but it looks pretty with album cover displays and black background.
I’m being urged by a digital expert friend to trade that in for Esoteric 05-XD. He says it has world class DAC and i wouldn’t need to spend any more money. Scenario two is to keep the Innuous and spend at least 5,000 or more on new DAC (i am using 12 year old original PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC) My friend believes that even with new DAC and more money, that i won’t beat the Esoteric. For about the same additional money I could buy a Master Clock for the Esoteric and improve even more, he says. My problem is I can’t audition the Esoteric nor do I relish the idea of starting over on a new software wondering what it looks like, how it works and whether I’ll be as frustrated in the use of it as I was with Innuos’s Sense. Sound quality is number one for me but this recent experience of being so frustrated in making playlists as me wondering about usability along with sound quality. I would love the group's thoughts as all this is completely new to me, and is not my style to change something so quickly.
- ...
- 18 posts total
Bossa, thanks for the clarifications. I thought that streaming was part of the picture for you, but I guess not. I still think that your choice of DAC is a very important decision. I have never heard any of the Esoteric DACs myself, but I have read online that at least one enthusiastic Esoteric fan prefers the new DirectStream Mk2 DAC to the DAC in the more expensive ($20K) Esoteric N-01XD streamer/DAC. His comments focus on greater resolution, clarity, and openness with the DS Mk2. Of course, this is just one user, and the N-05XD may sound different. Regarding the Innuos Sense app, I have never tried to include files from external drives in playlists. I have experienced no problems in creating playlists that combine files streamed from Qobuz and files stored on the Zen's internal hard drive. I do hear from other users that Roon has a more elaborate file management system than Sense does and can be used with Innuos gear (though perhaps with a slight drop off in sound quality). I would still recommend a stand-alone DAC, as several others have recommended. Many people simply think it's a bad idea to combine a noisy streamer/display screen in the same box as a DAC. Since you don't want a streamer anyway, why pay for one? Good luck in your search for the right decision for you.
|
It’s knickers and they aren’t in a bunch. Isn’t the Esoteric a streamer? I got answers on both sides. I actually am leaning towards keeping the Innuous and spending more money on a new DAC. Still can’t decide because I can’t audition the Esoteric and it’s library software was called ancient/primitive by an Eso owner.
|
@bossa : may I humbly chime in and say you are confusing “server” and “streamer” terms? You will need to realize that playing your 8tb in local music files you have IS streaming. Not necessarily from a streaming service like Qobuz or Tidal. Accessing and playing your local music files in your network. Please read the reply I sent you to your PM. Your Innuos ZENith is a Server + streamer. You can go USB out from it to any DAC that has USB “B” input, that DAC does need to have any network streamer (read: network bridge) built in. Yes, I know it sounds confusing, but really it’s not. My advice: take it easy and slow. Familiarize yourself with the terms. And your needs. It will save you time and money
That was me. And I stand by by my statement every day. The Esoteric own app is indeed ancient ‘ primitive compared to my choice, Roon. But as I told you, it does the job. Meaning you can play your files. In the absence of Roon, it’s fine.
|
- 18 posts total