Guys good morning,
The NDX2/QNap sounds great but for a while I just keep wondering would a dedicated server do more sonically? Plenty of stuff on here for me to review but the new Zen NG kind of attracts but just in server mode, no streaming the NDX2 takes care of that.
But question - how do Zeniths do metadata, relatively easy or a challenge like dBPoweramp etc can be? Experiences anyone?
Regards,
Lindsay
g’mornin’ Lindsay, I know a few people who have Zenith servers, and the limited looks I had into them to help with stuff seems that their metadata is just the same as everyone else i.e. dBpoweramp/Asset, MP3Tag, Minimserver etc etc
They have a fancy web app that makes editing more user friendly, but its just a technicolour coat on the basic metadata package.
As a Zenith user (ex-Qnap, ex-Melco), I can thoroughly recommend Innuos’ Sense, which draws from the same metadata sources as everyone else, but enables you to manage and change things with ease, should you need to. Much easier and quicker than others I’ve found, especially as I can do it on my phone or iPad. Sounds better, too!
I second that.
Thank you chaps.
Sense is superb but… there is a string case that you simply don’t need an NDX2 to stream if you’ve an Innuos device. The streaming on a Zenith, which I own, was to these ears far more engaging. YMMV but why spend on an extra box?
Well I’ve got the NDX2 so would still need a DAC, so would get the Zen NG in server only mode.
You could get a stand-alone DAC superior to that within the NDX2 for far less than the cost of the NDX2 and the Zen NG would then do it all with no loss of quality and, in my experience, more.
That said, the leap from the Zen range (Mini, Zen and Zenith) to the NG range is there but not, as ever, night and day, so it’s very hard to justify the huge leap in cost between the ranges unless you were going to take full advantage of the NG. It’s a very very expensive server.
Hi @LindsayM Innuos metadata is very user friendly. I have had Innuos server/streamers for a number of years, Zen, Zenith and now Statement NG.
I agree with points raised by Mike, the Zen NG is a lot of money just to utilise the server function but I understand you use the NDX2 which is a great streamer. Personally if you want to look at Innuos maybe consider the Zen which would save you about £6k, it will handle metadata in much the same way.
Guys,
Once again thanks.
@mikehughescq fair point but the new Zen can configure just as a server and I like having the NDX2 with its multi room facility.
Regards,
Lindsay
I have Zenith NG with Digital SPDIF out and LAN. Zenith NG is great and significantly improves my ND555. Either Server mode via LAN or Streaming mode via SPDIF, it improves ND555 SQ.
Welcome back, and thank you, that’s very useful.
Regards,
Lindsay
Guys,
Thanks again for the inputs on this, Innuos will make metadata editing easier. Without wishing to stir up controversy is there any technical reason why a £Ks server, Innuos or otherwise, sending 1 & 0s in FLAC/WAV to my NDX2 should result in a different and possibly improved sound over my NAS?
And I’m not a sceptic, for the record I maintain that cabling is vital factor in how a system sounds, just curious.
Regards,
Lindsay
Bits are bits Lindsay. It will make no difference. With the new-platform streamers, most people say that WAV and FLAC sound the same.
Have to agree. I’ve switched between the two and wondered what I was missing. Over the years I’ve heard lots of differences between boxes, cables etc. but not this.
Zenith NG does improve the sound quality for certain, more detail, warmer sound and great deep bass. I can hear the improvement right away and have done A/B between Naim app vs Zenith. The improvement is obvious…regardless of cheap or good cable and WAV of FLAC.
I would say it is better than add 2nd PS555 to ND555 for a significant margin. At one point, I was thinking to sell one of my ND555 and replace with Zenith due to space limitations. But I eventually found space to keep all.
@LindsayM
The innous server are sublime!
The sense app is so good and the server sounds very good. I liked it mor3 than the melco n10.
I have a zenith mk3.
Sadly the zenith olg gen has no spdif out. So mine is in servermode only. Do not want to go down the dac road.
@JTheKop
How do you use the innous ng.
As server only with nd555 streaming. Or streaming through innous and nd555 as dac?
I have connected Zenith NG via Both SPDIF and LAN. With senses app, you can hear the difference. However, now we are getting into cables stuff. I used Anzuz D2 LAN cable for LAN and Naim DC1 for SPDIF. I am planning to get a better Digital Cable to try.
Interestingly, using a Roon core, the difference is not as noticeable between LAN vs SPDIF
As it is, I prefer Zenith NG as Server via LAN cable. But as server via SPDIF output is also very good performance depending on personal preferences, I think.
This is the point for me, I want to continue to use the NDX2 for the streaming stuff, not least because I like the multi room facility with the Qb2, so it would be in server mode, but I’m still some way off being persuaded as to the sonic benefits.
Can you not arrange a demo?