Streamer Value Question Innous vs Bluesound


I am ready to try streaming again after my 1st failed effort.
I had owned the basic Roon streamer. 

I plan to use the Roon with Tidal service but not
the Roon hardware this time around.

I am now comparing the Innuos Zen Mini @ $1,250 v.s. the
Bluesound Vault 2i @ $1,295. 

The better Innuos is about $4,400.
If you add the reclocker and linear power supply to
 the Mini you are also getting closer to $4k.

Now here is my thought: Buy the Vault and plan to find
a DAC upgrade- currently I have an Oppo 205.
This will bring me the better SQ result overall I think.

What have others found?

chorus

Showing 1 response by adg101

Oppo 205 is decent, probably better than the DAC in the Bluesound devices. I own both so not just just spinning from my sofa.

The Vault is a great product for the money but I found the the first day in my system the DAC in my CDP was superior and used that... and not talking about my Oppo 205.

I don’t know how good the Innous is as I’ve never heard one so I’m not going to spew BS about it. I will say using a Vault as a streamer only to my recent RME DAC is outstanding and it’s was a reasonable purchase separately and together.
If you already have an Oppo 205 it will definitely get you by but a DAC such as an a RME will walk all over it and that’s not a stretch. The Oppo does nothing wrong and unless you compare it to other DAC’s you will be very happy with it. For what it does, the Oppo is an outstanding product, but unless you already have one I would not spend the money today for a used one.