A trip to Hugh's Music Barn. A comparison of the MSB Select 2 and the dCS Varese digital systems...

[microstrip]

as i understand it, one of the significant aspects of the Varese hardware is the way the clock integrates with each piece. adding the Innous as the streamer likely steps back from that attribute i would expect. not judging the Innous streaming performance objectively, just the degree of synergy with the 'somewhat' closed complete Varese system.

Maybe he was just using the Innous just to "clean" the net - making it to enter in the server and going through the Innous re-clocked output.

 

[HughP3]

as i understand it, one of the significant aspects of the Varese hardware is the way the clock integrates with each piece. adding the Innous as the streamer likely steps back from that attribute i would expect. not judging the Innous streaming performance objectively, just the degree of synergy with the 'somewhat' closed complete Varese system.

Hey Mike help understand. The topology is phoenix switch to Innous to whatever dac is used. I have a lot of ripped and 24 bit files that the Roon core combines with Tidal/Qobuz. Why would that cause a clocking issue? I can certainly try the Mosaic app and determine if i hear a difference. I do like the Roon interface tho.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Hey Mike help understand. The topology is phoenix switch to Innous to whatever dac is used. I have a lot of ripped and 24 bit files that the Roon core combines with Tidal/Qobuz. Why would that cause a clocking issue? I can certainly try the Mosaic app and determine if i hear a difference. I do like the Roon interface tho.

until you A/B a pure Varese full stack with inserting the Innous server into the mix no way to tell. but dCS is touting the magic of the synergy with the clock, so one would expect it to provide a streaming advantage considering the expense.

maybe a dealer has tried another server with the Varese stack and can comment?

maybe i am not fully understanding your idea. are you simply wanting to use the Innous for files inside it? so essentially as a NAS? or streaming only? not clear whether the Varese can store files?

 

[HughP3]

until you A/B a pure Varese full stack with inserting the Innous server into the mix no way to tell. but dCS is touting the magic of the synergy with the clock, so one would expect it to provide a streaming advantage considering the expense.

maybe a dealer has tried another server with the Varese stack and can comment?

maybe i am not fully understanding your idea. are you simply wanting to use the Innous for files inside it? so essentially as a NAS? or streaming only? not clear whether the Varese can store files?

The Innuos is a server/streamer and Roon core. It can rip cd’s and store locally. As you know, Roon seamlessly combines the ripped files with any streaming service which i really like. With that said Tidal/Qobuz now have all weird things i sometimes listen to such as Passport or Ozric Tentacles which weren’t there a year or so ago. Regardless i like Roon but will compare to Mosaic when i try the dCS Varese again this week.

 

[microstrip]

Hey Mike help understand. The topology is phoenix switch to Innous to whatever dac is used. I have a lot of ripped and 24 bit files that the Roon core combines with Tidal/Qobuz. Why would that cause a clocking issue?

You can have differences with other configurations, but surely not due to clock issues - the internet dataflow between the Innuous and DAC stacks is asynchronous. The receiver decides when pulling data from the server.

I can certainly try the Mosaic app and determine if i hear a difference. I do like the Roon interface tho.

In fact, many users will be more interested in just simple streaming - although hard core audiophiles are extremely interested in how streaming compares to data stored in the server. But we never know if the data is exactly the same ...

 

[HughP3]

I pulled the trigger on the Varese. Had a second round of in home auditions with another uber Dac that i will keep private. Just cannot unhear it now and that settled it for me. Getting black to match my other gear.

 

[Elliot G.]

Lord just when you think your “there” …. It is exciting though i must say hear this in my own system.

currently I have too many other priorities. but this has got me thinking those same what ifs too. Just not right now.

I have no wants for another music server. I did upgrade the Innuos to a dual powerbase. An improvement but subtle. The server has operated perfectly, never an update hiccup nor issues with Roon. It just works. I would like a chance to a/b with a Taiko but no local shops carry it. I think a bigger step up for me will be one of these new statement Dacs coming out. I am in no rush and the wishful thinking is part of the fun.

Hugh

I believe a Wadax Reference addresses all
You probably will find it sounds better as well. Just my two cents

 

[Lee]

I pulled the trigger on the Varese. Had a second round of in home auditions with another uber Dac that i will keep private. Just cannot unhear it now and that settled it for me. Getting black to match my other gear.

Congratulations Hugh!

 

[Ron Resnick]

I pulled the trigger on the Varese. Had a second round of in home auditions with another uber Dac that i will keep private. Just cannot unhear it now and that settled it for me. Getting black to match my other gear.

Congratulations, Hugh!

 

[QuadDiffuser]

Congratulations, Hugh!

 

[HughP3]

Congratulations, Hugh!

Thanks. Your room design is looking awesome. Hope not too distant future.

 

[microstrip]

I pulled the trigger on the Varese. Had a second round of in home auditions with another uber Dac that i will keep private. Just cannot unhear it now and that settled it for me. Getting black to match my other gear.

Nice to read about your decision, congratulations! I had the pleasure to listen to the Kodo speakers in two different rooms around seven years ago - audiophile memory is shout lived, but I still remember the impressive dynamics and large soundstage.

 

[LL21]

I pulled the trigger on the Varese. Had a second round of in home auditions with another uber Dac that i will keep private. Just cannot unhear it now and that settled it for me. Getting black to match my other gear.

Congrats! Big big news. Very much look forward to hearing more about it after it arrives and has settled in...

 

[LL21]

What a great read! That must have been fun! The question is whether Hugh is going to:
- happily keep his MSB
- run out and buy the Varese
- or potentially explore: MSB's latest Cascade, the Wadax Ref, the brand-new Nagra Ref DAC, CH C10 DAC,

Sounds like you went for 3 and decided on 2! Congrats