So after some major start-up woes, a poor written manual or my understanding, I would say this is a must have for any streaming system, it takes out all the trash (noise), galvanic isolates, reclocks and is powered by battery.
Innuos Zenith (Server/Roon Core) 》》Ethernet 》》 Audiophilleo (Transport) 》》direct BNC to BNC 》》 Naim Nova
For me the setup endgame was to utilise the Innuos Zenith Squeezelite via USB, to play it from memory, the Audiophilleo was purely a way I thought to go from USB to SPDIF.
Listening to a rip of Travis Invisble Man sublimely delicate, intricate details enveloping hauntingly convincing vocals.
The headline is a major step up at a cost but it has transformed my humble one box Nova, more mightier boxes must surely benefit.
I feel the Audiophilleo has transformed pretty much everything, but in one of them sounds sublime and effortless. Even the sound in the hallway and next room sounds clear and crystal.
I felt before the Nova had been squeezed enough, but it’s a cracking one box, I think the Audiophilleo let’s it shine even more, but I would concede a more capable (or is it expensive) DAC/Streamer would excel even more.
I’ve spent over two decades increasing boxes and I would say all aside from Mana supports and going active where subtle enhancements, yes even 82 to 52, but all these little parts add up to a better presentation.
The Server and this Audiophilleo for me are big shifts (upgrades), I still believe the GIGO principle applies, in this case best rip, server and input to the Nova, mean it’s less stressed and gets on with the boogie.
My thought is the Zenith is also shining brightly now.
THE BAD
Makes using tidy Roon a pain now, as for Nova power up I use the Naim app, then Roon, then I’ve realised after going into standby three times the Audiophilleo loses connection with either the Server or Nova, a major pain.
Sometimes it misses first split second of the start of a track, Audiophilleo suggest the error is the DAC
THE GOOD
Air - it’s not an inky black background now, its details just floating, I always chased inky blacks now it seems so wrong.
Subtle - Very minor details now gel with the main singer and instruments, very organic.
Bass depth - The bloom has gone and I thought I had already reduced it, the result a solid yet textured bass line(s).
Timing - The sheer PRaT is gorgeous, effortless.
Vocals - I had been using Roon the follow lyrics recently and noticed how muffled main and backing vocals where, now there is no effort crystal clear and backing vocalists come in and out beautifully.
A track by Banks (Contaminated) made me think my speakers had blown before, a shriek type bass line, but now akin to a bolt of lightning.
I’ve been listening all day, thanks to Roon Radio it’s threw deep trance , hardcore trance, rock, r&b and some Latin, about 50/50 tracks in my library the rest from Tidal/Qobuz.
Even old tracks that sounded dull and lifeless now have life to them, odd but it does.
It’s one of them press play and forget it upgrades, not endless searching, skip and back through your library, the Audiophilleo just makes it all shine.