Ideal für die einfache Integration in Systeme mit mehreren Räumen oder für diejenigen, die den ersten Schritt zu einem dedizierten Audioserver machen. Auch als Roon Server einsetzbar.

Hier der Testbericht im avguide

für ZEN mini Mk2 und Mk3

Optionales Upgrade des linearen Netzteils für verbesserte Klangqualität im passenden Gehäuse.

Abwärtskompatibel mit dem ZEN mini MkII.

Der ZEN Mk3 bietet mit seinem integrierten dual-linearen Netzteil, den isolierten Dual-Ethernet-Anschlüssen und den asymmetrischen Antivibrationsfüßen einen weiteren Klangqualitätssprung im Vergleich zum ZENmini. Der ZEN Mk3 bietet ein neues Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis für die digitale Audioleistung. Auch als Roon Server einsetzbar.

Um den ZENith noch weiter zu verbessern, enthält der neue MK3 ein Triple-Linear-Netzteil mit Mundorf CAPS und einer speziell behandelten SSD. Ideal für Audiophile, die einen weicheren, entspannteren Klang mit einer breiteren Klangbühne wünschen. Auch als Roon Server einsetzbar.

Masse 70 x 420 x 320 mm (H x B x T)

• New linear power supply architecture
• 10mm CNC-machined aluminium chassis
• 8 Independent Linear PSU rails
• 8GB RAM with 4GB In-Memory Playback
• EMI-optimised motherboard exclusively designed for Innuos
• New Generation Quad-core Intel CPU
• Custom-designed Ethernet and USB Reclockers with 3bpp OCXO clocks
• Asymmetrical isolation fee

New Linear Power Architecture

Partnering once again with Dr. Sean Jacobs, a new power supply architecture was designed exclusively for the Statement. The power supply is distributed between two enclosures, with one enclosure containing the AC/DC conversion stage and the other containing the regulation stage together with the server components.

The advantage is clear: regulated “clean” power traverses a very short path, soldered point to point, with the least resistance and exposure to EMI. This is superior in efficiency compared to a traditional architecture where a separate power supply is used – regulated “clean” power needs to go through more obstacles of internal cabling, output connectors, cable, input connectors and more internal cable before it reaches its destination.

8 Independent Linear PSU Rails

Each critical component of the server receives its own dedicated power supply from one of the 8 independent power rails, further preventing component cross-contamination. Of particular note is the use of a dedicated power supply for each of the Ethernet and USB high-precision OCXO clocks, ensuring these clocks work at their best.

Custom-designed Ethernet and USB Re-clocker

Not fully satisfied with existing USB and Ethernet re-clocking designs, Innuos designed in-house their own boards for this purpose. At the heart of the design are 3 principles: The use of very high-precision OCXO clocks for timing the signals, extreme care in powering important components preventing cross-contamination, and extremely short paths between components.

While the use of OCXO clocks is not new, the way they are powered and the layout of the board has proven to be extremely important for their performance. As an example, dozens of USB controllers were analysed in terms of how they were powered and clocked so that they allowed this control to be done externally. The USB Controller is regulated by no less than 3 ultra-low noise regulators, one per independent voltage.

Keeping the clock very close to the controllers, via a dedicated track on the board itself, helps to avoid the losses in signal quality that come with the use of external clock units.10mm CNC-machined Aluminium Chassis

Housed in a casing of 10mm-thick CNC-machined aluminium, the Statement is not just a pretty face. The thick metal enclosure helps to isolate external EMI, and its weight helps dampen harmful vibration into the system. By using a double-enclosure design, it also helps to contain the vibration effects of the massive 540VA toroidal transformer at its heart.

Custom-designed Motherboard

The motherboard has been fully EMI-optimised to our own exclusive design by, removing any unnecessary, noise-generating components capable of compromising audio. A fully-customised BIOS ensures the hardware works at its lowest noise without impairing performance. Further EMI treatment is then applied to the motherboard so that EMI is absorbed rather than reflected to other components.

• New linear power supply architecture
• 10mm CNC-machined aluminium chassis
• 8 Independent Linear PSU rails
• 8GB RAM with 4GB In-Memory Playback
• EMI-optimised motherboard exclusively designed for Innuos
• New Generation Quad-core Intel CPU
• Custom-designed Ethernet and USB Reclockers with 3bpp OCXO clocks
• Asymmetrical isolation fee

New Linear Power Architecture

Partnering once again with Dr. Sean Jacobs, a new power supply architecture was designed exclusively for the Statement. The power supply is distributed between two enclosures, with one enclosure containing the AC/DC conversion stage and the other containing the regulation stage together with the server components.

The advantage is clear: regulated “clean” power traverses a very short path, soldered point to point, with the least resistance and exposure to EMI. This is superior in efficiency compared to a traditional architecture where a separate power supply is used – regulated “clean” power needs to go through more obstacles of internal cabling, output connectors, cable, input connectors and more internal cable before it reaches its destination.

8 Independent Linear PSU Rails

Each critical component of the server receives its own dedicated power supply from one of the 8 independent power rails, further preventing component cross-contamination. Of particular note is the use of a dedicated power supply for each of the Ethernet and USB high-precision OCXO clocks, ensuring these clocks work at their best.

Custom-designed Ethernet and USB Re-clocker

Not fully satisfied with existing USB and Ethernet re-clocking designs, Innuos designed in-house their own boards for this purpose. At the heart of the design are 3 principles: The use of very high-precision OCXO clocks for timing the signals, extreme care in powering important components preventing cross-contamination, and extremely short paths between components.

While the use of OCXO clocks is not new, the way they are powered and the layout of the board has proven to be extremely important for their performance. As an example, dozens of USB controllers were analysed in terms of how they were powered and clocked so that they allowed this control to be done externally. The USB Controller is regulated by no less than 3 ultra-low noise regulators, one per independent voltage.

Keeping the clock very close to the controllers, via a dedicated track on the board itself, helps to avoid the losses in signal quality that come with the use of external clock units.10mm CNC-machined Aluminium Chassis

Housed in a casing of 10mm-thick CNC-machined aluminium, the Statement is not just a pretty face. The thick metal enclosure helps to isolate external EMI, and its weight helps dampen harmful vibration into the system. By using a double-enclosure design, it also helps to contain the vibration effects of the massive 540VA toroidal transformer at its heart.

Custom-designed Motherboard

The motherboard has been fully EMI-optimised to our own exclusive design by, removing any unnecessary, noise-generating components capable of compromising audio. A fully-customised BIOS ensures the hardware works at its lowest noise without impairing performance. Further EMI treatment is then applied to the motherboard so that EMI is absorbed rather than reflected to other components.

Masse 215mm x 342mm x 87mm (W x D x H)

Gewicht 5 Kg

In the box PhoenixNET Audiophile-Grade Network Switch

Netzkabel

2m Ethernet Cable

Manual

The PhoenixUSB Reclocker takes the USB signal from any source and completely regenerates it to an extremely high-precision signal to feed into your DAC, allowing it to perform at its best. The PhoenixUSB offers in one unit the equivalent of 3 separate components: A USB regenerator, a linear power supply and an external master clock with its own linear power supply. Innuos applied 3 main design approaches learning from their experience with the Innuos flagship music server, the STATEMENT: The USB chip regenerating the signal contains no switching regulators. All 3 independent voltages to the chip originate from an independent linear power supply with further regulation provided by 3 sets of LT3045 regulators. The use of a 3ppb OCXO clock running directly at 24MHz and connected via a board track just a couple of inches away from the USB chip. Therefore, no precision is lost within cables and connectors, as is the case when using an external master 10MHz clock with an additional 24MHz clock generator. Two independent Statement-level linear power supplies, one dedicated to the OCXO clock and the other used for powering the USB chip/5V USB line.

Testbericht von John Darko

Testbericht von Audiobacon