Innuos Stream Series

[Sondiago]

Anyone got Stream 1 yet?

 

[Snappy]

I talked to my dealer Wednesday and they are still waiting for their demo. I was looking at a Pulse and have found a few at tempting prices but the Stream1 looks like a nice product.

I don't know how to justify some of the upgrades though. The LPS1 if bundled is $1280. Does an upgraded power supply improve the sound that much? Same with the PhoenixUSB Board at $1650. These options add up fast and my primary source is a record player.

I would install an M.2 SSD myself and I already own an external Blu-ray drive with USB 3.0 to burn CD's with.

While I prioritize my 2-channel system and the Anthem STR preamp that has a USB music port, I would like to switch outputs with the app and occasionally connect to my Anthem AVM 90 that does not have USB. The option slot only accommodates one optional output board and I don't want to use an external DAC since that wouldn't allow me to use base management.

If the standard USB output is still high quality, the SPDIF board seems to be a good option for me. Of course I can not worry about also connecting to the AVM 90 and just connect to the STR and be fine with that.

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[Dadams73]

Anyone got Stream 1 yet?

I’ve had a Stream 1 with the LPS1 power supply on home test for a week, comparing with a HiFi Rose RS130, a Hifi Rose RS250 and the internal streamer in my Hegel H390 (all feeding a Gustard X-30 DAC).

 

[audio.bill]

I’ve had a Stream 1 with the LPS1 power supply on home test for a week, comparing with a HiFi Rose RS130, a Hifi Rose RS250 and the internal streamer in my Hegel H390 (all feeding a Gustard X-30 DAC).

... so how did you find those comparisons? Sharing your impressions would be of value to others. TIA

 

[Snappy]

I’ve had a Stream 1 with the LPS1 power supply on home test for a week, comparing with a HiFi Rose RS130, a Hifi Rose RS250 and the internal streamer in my Hegel H390 (all feeding a Gustard X-30 DAC).

I read your comparison on another forum. I have ordered the Stream1 with LPS1 and PhoenixUSB board. I would have liked it if you were able to review the PhoenixUSB option as well.

In my cabinet, the Stream1 is one of a limited number of streamers that will fit. Anything wider and it wouldn't work though it looks like the Hifi Rose RS250 could. The PhoenisUSB output will go to the USB DAC on my Anthem STR preamp. I'll connect a HiFace2 192kHz/24BIT USB to S/PDIF Coax converter to the integrated USB on the Stream1 to connect to my Anthem AVM 90's Coax input. The AVM 90 will be for casual listening, usually using Zone 2 and my whole House speakers. I'm told the Sense app allows me to switch outputs on the fly.

How warm do the two Innuos units get? I need to plan for cooling in my enclosed cabinet with mesh doors.

Who knows when the Stream1 will actually ship. Thanks.

 

[Dadams73]

... so how did you find those comparisons? Sharing your impressions would be of value to others. TIA

Hi. In order of preference from worst to best (streamer only) : Rose RS250; Internal streamer in Hegel; Stream 1 with LPS1; Gustard Internal Streaming module; Rose RS130.

The RS130 was the best to my ears and in my system by some distance. Materially wider soundstage, improved micro details, blacker background, more cohesion and drive and more analogue sounding. The differences between the others were more subtle. The Stream 1 was very detailed, but narrower soundstage and less dynamic snap and rhythm. The Gustard is a very nice sounding streamer, the most similar to the RS130 in musical enjoyment, and I would quite happily live with that if I hadn’t heard the Rose. I didn’t much like the sound of the RS250. It was quite digital to my ears, and was definitely down in detail retrieval.

Heat - I had placed the Innuos with plenty of space on all sides, and I’d say it got ‘medium hot’. Nothing to worry about IMO, but it might be different with less ventilation I guess.

I can’t comment on the Phoenix USB option, however I have a friend who has owned the Innuos Zen MkIII and now has an Innuos Next Gen. He used the Phoenix USB with both, and his comment was ‘I wish I could tell you it makes a big difference, but it is subtle at best’.