Innuos Pulsar ????

[ssfas]

Is the Pulsar the PULSEmini + Innuos linear power supply + PhoenixUSB but just all in one box?

It's a streamer/DAC with more output options than Pulsar, same operating system.

 

[ssfas]

We have two completely different approaches and that's what makes this hobby so much fun. There is no wrong or right.

I don't speak to company people most times before a review as I prefer to know nothing about their marketing and spin and I don't want to be influenced (I may speak to them to get gear in and how to hook it up but that is about it). I personally could not care less about a power supply if at the end of the day the unit doesn't have the features I want nor the sound. I just don't care about anything but the sound. And at the end of the day in my system I chose the one I liked. Regardless of trying to focus on the Spotify issue which it did not come with it set up ready to go (as I feel it should), I preferred the AA.

There are too many other "dealer youtubers" who keep stating and snowing their viewers that they are looking out for them and poo-poo high priced gear while selling equally high priced gear themselves. And they of course dislike anything they don't sell.

There are equally as many who pretend they aren't making money with the gear they choose to review but those on the inside all know differently about how they "pump and dump". No way they are impartial like they claim as they have a serious financial interest in their videos and what they do content on.

And there are those who are trying to convince you to hire their hifi services while pretending to be completely unbiased.

Thankfully I am none of those. They are welcome to do what ever they want - that's just not how I choose to be.

As I state repeatedly in the videos are just pure personal journey and many seem to appreciate that approach - and some don't (which is totally fine). I don't try to be all things to all people nor do I want to. I have my base of very loyal followers between YT and FB whom I interact with on a regular basis and I do this all for FUN. Nothing more, nothing less.

I do find some people get entirely too emotionally wrapped up in this hobby that is supposed to be fun. That is their right. I choose not to live a life like that.

I repeatedly state in my videos to never take my word on untying, to do your own research and to TRY TRY TRY the gear for yourself. There is nothing more I can do for those who choose to ignore all that.

I spoke to the manufacturers of my turntable (Ray @ CTC / Garrard), turntable power supply (Nick @ LDA) streamer (Richard @ Innuos), conditioner (Mike @ Puritan), cables (Sean Jacobs, Mike @ Vinyl Passion, Galen @ BJC) and phono stage (James @ Whest). Anyone who knows any of these people will know that none of them are B-S merchants and only Innuos spend any serious money on marketing. I find it helpful to do enough reading and searching to be able to ask the designer/manufacturer sensible questions and it doesn't take long to work out if you're getting sensible answers. There is no one better to explain a product than the person who designed and made it.

Home loans are quite easy to arrange here in the UK. My second phono is RCM, a brand that do no marketing, the dealer brought it round to my house, I'd tried a couple of others and sent them back. My DAC was off eBay, but the seller was local and I had a home demo first.

I think it's vital that reviewers speak to the manufacturer or an informed dealer to find out the purpose of the product, who it was designed for, how it works etc. I don't agree that reviews should be completely blind because customers will ask these questions before they buy, so any reviews should evaluate whether the product meets the design objectives. It amazes me how many reviewers just don't understand the product concept.

If you were a potential buyer of the Innuos Pulsar and use Spotify a lot, you'd ask the dealer before getting one, even on loan. I've used Qobuz exclusively since 2014, so in those days Naim (the biggest UK brand) was out of the question because their only lossless option was Tidal.

Listening and going to music is certainly enjoyable. Hifi as a hobby seems a bit more serious because a single purchase can be a significant amount of a person's disposable income. Spending $50 on a concert ticket and it's no good, it's no big deal. Spending $5,000 on a DAC and it's no good is for a lot of people a very big deal. Anyone in a position of influence should appreciate this and get their facts right.

 

[ssfas]

@Synaxis

Just another clarification regarding your criticism of the inability to connect a USB hard drive. A far better solution to USB is a networked hard drive, and for this purpose there is a second Ethernet input. I have used it this way and it works perfectly. It is by design galvanically isolated. (This has been Linn’s preferred approach for over 15 years.)

Although connected to the back of the machine, the drive will appear on your network and the music can be played elsewhere, which you can’t do with a usb drive.

From what I understand, they implemented the USB input because people were complaining that they or their friends would have music on a USB thumb drive and they couldn’t listen to it.

In my book, the one big demerit of the Pulsar is that it does not have an SFP input.

 

[tedwoods]

Is the Pulsar the PULSEmini + Innuos linear power supply + PhoenixUSB but just all in one box?

Not quite...

The Pulsar is a streamer only (no integrated DAC).
The power supply inside the Pulsar is a far more elaborate design than the standalone power supply for the Pulse mini or the Zen series (if that's what you are referring to...).
It also uses a suspended single-level Cell SSD.
The main board, SSD and reclocker are all powered independently.
Finally, the chassis design is substantially heavier with the extra mass facilitating better heat dissipation and along with the specially designed feet and feet placement enhance the device's anti-vibrational properties.
Oh... and I forgot to mention, it sounds pretty darn good too...​

 

[Vangelis]

I’ve been dialing in the sound of my Pulsar with a number of enhancements. Seven items that each contributed equal improvements were, an isolation base, Symposium Roller blocks, a Synergistic Research Atmosphere SX power cord, a Shakti Stone, a Synergistic Research Pink Fuse, a second Sablon EVo USB cable and the Innuos PhoenixUSB. These products combined, provided a significant leap up in sound quality. With each new addition, I adjusted and listened carefully to be sure that it was musically better, rather than simply, different.



I have not personally heard the demos at the shows where the Innuos factory guys have done direct A-B’s from the Statement to other Innuos streamers, but many of participants that have heard theses A-B comparisons reported an audible but modest improvement. I’ve never read that contrasts between the A-B were day and night differences. At one show they compared a Zenith MK III against a Pulsar and the listeners heard the improvement but didn’t say they were enthusiastically ready to empty their bank accounts to make the upgrade. I’m confident that any listener comparing fully accessorized Pulsar compared side by side to a stock (un-accessorized) Pulsar would shocked by the lift in musical engagement. The Statement is out my budget but I would speculate that a few accessories surrounding a Pulsar, might well, take it pretty close, or maybe…..

 

[tedwoods]

I’ve been dialing in the sound of my Pulsar with a number of enhancements. Seven items that each contributed equal improvements were, an isolation base, Symposium Roller blocks, a Synergistic Research Atmosphere SX power cord, a Shakti Stone, a Synergistic Research Pink Fuse, a second Sablon EVo USB cable and the Innuos PhoenixUSB. These products combined, provided a significant leap up in sound quality. With each new addition, I adjusted and listened carefully to be sure that it was musically better, rather than simply, different.



I have not personally heard the demos at the shows where the Innuos factory guys have done direct A-B’s from the Statement to other Innuos streamers, but many of participants that have heard theses A-B comparisons reported an audible but modest improvement. I’ve never read that contrasts between the A-B were day and night differences. At one show they compared a Zenith MK III against a Pulsar and the listeners heard the improvement but didn’t say they were enthusiastically ready to empty their bank accounts to make the upgrade. I’m confident that any listener comparing fully accessorized Pulsar compared side by side to a stock (un-accessorized) Pulsar would shocked by the lift in musical engagement. The Statement is out my budget but I would speculate that a few accessories surrounding a Pulsar, might well, take it pretty close, or maybe…..

While I agree that there are enhancements that can take a piece of equipment to the next level (I have tried -as much as funds and knowledge accumulated so far permitted- to particularly focus on "cleaning up" the input stream to the Pulsar), I'm still afraid that the new Zen/Zenith NG (particularly the latter) architecture will prove me wrong...

 

[Vangelis]

I removed my last post. I had incorrect product information on it.

 

[matthias]

When I purchased my Pulsar, I thought I would have at minimum, three years of production stability.

Completely understand your POV. I don't know the price but from the specs the new Stream3 w/o storage should be superior to the Pulsar. Unfortunately, the model policy of Innuos is quite confusing.

 

[tedwoods]

Innovation and new product introductions are just a part of the audio industry, however, Innuos just introduced the NG series just last year. At Axpona they showed the new Stream 1 and Stream 3 at Axpona. I can’t find pricing but I have to imagine one of them will overlap the Pulsar and thus, be a direct replacement. Granted digital technology moves very fast, but retaining pride of ownership against a diminishing value of a product that only had a two year production cycle, does not garner loyalty. The Zenith MK3 and Statements series production averaged six years. When I purchased my Pulsar, I thought I would have at minimum, three years of production stability. I was a dealer for a very popular audio company that produced tube amplifiers and preamplifiers, they were constantly redesigning replacement versions A, B, and C of a production models. I lost customer Goodwill, through no fault of mine. Unlike Innuos, that company at least, offered retrofit upgrades. I’m not suggesting Innuos has no right to change product so fast. It’s their business model and their business, but I’m definitely going to have some strong reluctance on my next Innuos purchase.

When you're right, you're right...

 

[Vangelis]

When you're right, you're right...

I had read all the Axpona media products release introduction information regarding the Innuos Steam 1 and 3. What I read described them, just as streamers. They are actually streamer / servers and likely replace the Zenith MK3.

 

[matthias]

I had read all the Axpona media products release introduction information regarding the Innuos Steam 1 and 3. What I read described them, just as streamers. They are actually streamer / servers and likely replace the Zenith MK3.

Yes, but without storage they are also competitors to the PULSE series.

 

[tedwoods]

I had read all the Axpona media products release introduction information regarding the Innuos Steam 1 and 3. What I read described them, just as streamers. They are actually streamer / servers and likely replace the Zenith MK3.

Yes,they will have most probably a newer generation board that will accept NVMe storage. Unlike the NG series they won't have NGaN regulation but CX one (like the Pulsar) and a wider output module selection that will include a full blown Phoenix USB instead of the lite board in the Pulsar among other things. They also now seem to cater for customers that need a more "integrated" solution of sorts, as 3 different DAC modules exist as output modules. Apart from that, the casing seems somehow simplified but still quite attractive looking.
However, for existing and loyal customers a new line like that means no upgrade capability, which is a bummer really. Personally, I honestly feel kinda let down, unless Innuos steps in and offers a generous trade-in policy, unlike the one for the NG series, which frankly was unacceptable as it de-valued the Pulsar to 30% of its original price, a year only after its release.
Although the Pulsar does sound very good and I'm sure the Stream line will also sound very very good, as a customer I feel kinda funny right now...

 

[Ron Resnick]

Nuno, the founder of Innuos, had me sit down and compare the new Zenith NextGen to the new Stream 3. To my surprise I heard a material difference.

The Zenith NextGen was noticeably more energetic, alive and dynamic. The Stream 3 sounded a bit less energetic and sounded smoother. Even though I generally prefer smooth, I really preferred the Zenith NextGen!

 

[matthias]

a wider output module selection that will include a full blown Phoenix USB instead of the lite board in the Pulsar

Innuos mentioned on their forum that the PhoenixUSB board for the Stream series and PhoenixUSB Lite are identical.

 

[tedwoods]

Innuos mentioned on their forum that the PhoenixUSB board for the Stream series and PhoenixUSB Lite are identical.

Right, didn't see that...
So, it's just a re-naming of the lite board.
I was wondering how it had been possible without switching to more powerful regulation, I guess I now have my answer...
So, the Stream 3 is essentially a Pulsar with a newer generation motherboard that can exploit the RTK.
Not a bad idea actually and it seems like an intermediate step towards the Zenith NG...

 

[tedwoods]

Nuno, the founder of Innuos, had me sit down and compare the new Zenith NextGen to the new Stream 3. To my surprise I heard a material difference.

The Zenith NextGen was noticeably more energetic, alive and dynamic. The Stream 3 sounded a bit less energetic and sounded smoother. Even though I generally prefer smooth, I really preferred the Zenith NextGen!

It's most probably a combination of things, most notably among them the NGaN regulation (lightning fast) that's responsible for that.

 

[matthias]

TBH, it doesn't make any sense for Innuos to have a separate "streamer" line like the PULSE series.
Without storage a "server" is a "streamer", with the modular approach the customers can tailor the devices according to their needs. They could even offer different external PSs, maybe standard and NG to simplify their product line.

 

[tedwoods]

TBH, it doesn't make any sense for Innuos to have a separate "streamer" line like the PULSE series.
Without storage a "server" is a "streamer", with the modular approach the customers can tailor the devices according to their needs. They could even offer different external PSs, maybe standard and NG to simplify their product line.

Part of what could be perceived as lack of focus also has to do with how fast everything has been evolving.
The truth is that the server/streamer combo solutions, "mandatory" if one is to run Roon or HQPlayer, although not entirely outdated, seem to become less and less popular, as most audiophiles tend to avoid the inevitable added layer of complexity that brings.
And with streaming services becoming the norm, a streamer with the ability to also play files from a small NVMe disc (which in the end will probably have a lower noise floor too) does indeed emerge as the current trend.
Innuos seem to be acknowledging that with the Stream series, but it remains to be seen whether their more loyal clientele will follow suit.

 

[matthias]

The truth is that the server/streamer combo solutions, "mandatory" if one is to run Roon or HQPlayer, although not entirely outdated, seem to become less and less popular, as most audiophiles tend to avoid the inevitable added layer of complexity that brings.

Yeah, there is for streaming Spotify/Tidal and soon Qobuz Connect or JPLAY for iOS. None of them need the classical "server". Even Taiko Audio will release UPnP and Tidal/Qobuz Connect for their servers.
I am wondering why Innuos streamers can not work as UPnP endpoints

 

[tedwoods]

@tedwoods
I have a Pulsar and it suits me perfectly. I had a Zen Mk3 previously from when it first came out.

I have HQPlayer and Roon running on a Mac Mini M2 Pro on my network far away from the hifi. I also have a SATA network storage on the network.

Innuos streamers were until fairly recently only servers. They are designed only to be used with Sense, Roon or HQ Player. There was never any intention for them to be do-everything devices.

I own a Pulsar too and have had the Zen and Zenith Mk3.
I also own a PhoenixNET.
I have used the Pulsar in every way imaginable, including stadnalone, Roon endpoint, HQPlayer NAA and so on and have occasionally tried to document my experience in this thread.
However, all Innuos products after the Pulsar, namely the NG series and the new Stream series, seem to clearly abandon the streamer only logic and go for the "do-everything" one as both accept NVMe discs.
The recent ability to also use Tidal Connect or Quobuz Connect among other things, also seems to be pointing towards a direction of more choices.
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't disagree with that at all!
In fact, I feel that, if anything, this is an evolution and Innuos are clearly looking ahead.
But despite all that and despite the fact that the Pulsar does sound amazing, we are still consumers and I for one feel a tad left out.
To be honest, it's still too early to make any sort of meaningful comment without having seen how it'll all play out first, but hopefully Innuos will acknowledge the fact that their existing and loyal fan base need to be thrown a bone or two, from time to time...