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  3. 155337-2037

Aurender VS Innuos

Hi All , I am moving from PC Audio to a music server . I have kind of narrowed it down to an Aurender N100H-4TB or a Innuos Zen-MKIII . I really don't have the option to audition these so I will depend on a return policy .
I would rather get it right the first time and skip that trouble . 
I was leaning toward the Innuos but I just read in the new issue of stereophile the complaint about the OS for the Innuos not being very good ( lots of hassles ).
This kind of contradicts all I have read about it and the Aurender . I don't really care so much about the Cd ripper on the Innuos. So, the important thing to me is sound , and then the software issues .
 I know we all have different systems and I am willing to take all with a grain of salt .
The biggest question is---- anyone have or heard both and can you give me an opinion .
They were talking ( Innuos Statement review in Stereophile ) about the new software coming out soon  
Is it out now ?
Thanks so much--Steve
PS-- System
 Copland 305 C--Preamp
Pass XA-25
PS- audio Directstream Jr . Dac
Speakers-- Reference-- 3A- Taksims
128x128solarjam
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
982 posts
 
I just switched from an Aurender N100H to the Innuos Zen Mk3 and I must say that the Innuos beats the Aurender 90% of the time.
I was  considering the new N200 but decided on the Innuos for a change after reading many good reviews about it.

The Innuos turned out to be very satisfying - airier highs, more holographic soundstage, better decay, higher resolution, better bass slam and definition, silkier midrange. 

I could go on but enough said. Back to music. :)

Cheers! Jon. 

 
hansaber
3 posts
 
I have tested Aurender, Innuos and Lumin, at the end I found Lumin sounded the best to my ears!
zavato's avatar
zavato
1,390 posts
 
I’ve heard both the zen mk 3 and n100 side by side earlier this year. In the system I heard these units on, neither was clearly superior to the other but rather they both had strengths. It becomes a matter of preference and between the 2 I thought the n100 was a bit more in line with what I like. But if someone gave me the zen mk 3 I’d be pretty satisfied too. And indeed not all streamers sound alike. I listened to the innuos statement and thought it was really nice. Even better, but at a different place, I heard a $20k plus naim streamer that was just plain killer. With all that said I’ve not yet committed to any streamer hardware aside from a dual use MacBook Pro and I know my current streaming setup is lacking. Sort of reminds me of early digital. Very clean and superb bass; highs can be fatiguing and limited depth 
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