Innuos ZEN NG

Innuos NG

The digital source has become a staple in Hi-Fi systems due to its convenience. Today, almost any music can be accessed at the touch of a button. But while reproducing sound is one thing, reproducing music is something else entirely. To capture the true essence of a recording, your digital signal must be as pure and precise as possible so that your DAC can achieve its full potential. A noisy signal, on the other hand, will only be amplified in the chain.

A pristine digital signal requires a dedicated digital source that pays attention to every detail: from ultra-low-noise power supplies to custom-designed processor cards to specially developed software to minimize interference during operation.

Optional storage

Optional pre-installed memory :
The ZEN NG offers flexible storage options with 2TB, 4TB or 8TB PCI-E NVMe SSDs. The 16TB option occupies both the internal and secondary user-accessible storage bays.

Optional pre-installed modular output boards :

• The PhoenixUSB Lite board with a 3ppb 24 MHz OCXO USB 2.0 reclocker for precise signal transmission.
• The DDC board with 1 x AES/EBU, 1 x Optical and 1 x Coaxial, all with a maximum resolution of 24 bit/192 kHz.

New and advanced technologies

The ZEN NG is the first model in the ZEN series to integrate both new and advanced NG technologies: the state-of-the-art Gallium Nitride regulated NGaN RECAP2 power supply, the new PreciseAudio mainboard, Sense 3 with real-time kernel combined with AudioCore technology, selected industrial-grade low-noise DDR4 RAM and a dedicated direct-attached ultra-low-noise SSD for the operating system, to name just a few highlights. Connect the ZEN NG to your DAC and experience the difference.

Modular extensions

A new modular approach to storage and audio connectivity options makes the device extremely versatile: use it either as a pure streamer with no on-board storage, or as a music server with Sense or Roon Core and up to 16 TB of seamless storage. Maximize sound quality by choosing the optimal digital output module - all packed in a high-quality, 10 mm thick, CNC-machined aluminum housing. And as if that wasn't enough, the ZEN NG has been designed to be upgradeable to a ZENith NG at any time.

The new ZEN NG is a revelation in terms of sound, performance and flexibility. Experience it at a dealer near you.

special features

Innuos NGaN power supply

New state-of-the-art Gallium Nitride power control stage to enhance the RECAP2 linear power modules with a tuned switching frequency providing a much lower mains impedance for a more transparent sound with better instrument separation.

Innuos PreciseAudio motherboard

An all-new, custom-designed server-grade motherboard tuned for low processor latency, power noise and EMI emissions, further enhanced with improved power regulators and solid capacitors.

High performance, low power consumption

The new generation of Intel Core i3 combines 4 physical cores with 4 virtual cores for responsive speeds with low heat output, complemented by the Innuos AudioCore that provides separate cores just for audio processes. Supported by 16GB of low-noise industrial-grade DDR4 memory that can cache more databases and files for faster response.

Modular Architecture

You can easily configure the ZEN NG as a music server/streamer, as a pure server or as a pure streamer. You can choose between configurations with no storage or with up to 16 TB and optional audio output slots for various modules such as USB, I2S or AES/Coaxial/Optical SPDIF.

Dedicated OS SSD

Dedicated industrial-grade 3D TLC SSD for the operating system with power loss protection to avoid system issues in the event of a power failure. Extremely low levels of power consumption, electrical noise and heat generation.

Innuos XSM

The high-performance Expandable Storage Management System (XSM) enables a single storage pool with multiple drives. ZEN NG supports an internal high-performance NVMe PCIe drive up to 8TB and an additional externally accessible M.2 NVMe slot for up to 8TB for a total of 16TB of seamless storage. Intelligent management and data protection through Sense.

premium housing

Newly developed 10 mm thick CNC machined, bead blasted and anodized aluminum housing with new vibration dampened transformer platform and chassis ground connection.

Sense 3

Unique benefits for ZEN NG and ZENith NG brought by Sense 3 include a new real-time kernel that further reduces latency for the core operating system, AudioCore for running audio processes in dedicated physical cores, an extensible interface for memory management, and a new CD ripping feature via external USB drives with drive head alignment for precise ripping.

Upgradeable

The modular design of the enclosure and components means that the ZEN NG can be upgraded to a ZENith NG in the future for even better sound quality and performance.

specifications

audio outputs

• Digital output:
  • USB (up to 32bit/768KHz, up to DSD256 via DoP, up to DSD512 via Native DSD)
  • 1 x Digital Output Module: PhoenixUSB, PhoenixI2S, AES/Coaxial/Optical SPDIF (sold separately)
  • Additional Ethernet port for streamer or NAS

connectivity

• Ethernet:
  • 2 x LAN RJ45 Bridged Gigabit Ethernet (LAN, Aux)
• USB:
  • 3 x USB 3.2 Gen2 (backup/import, Aux, DAC)
• Chassis Ground:
  • 4mm 'Speaker Plug' port

formats

• Ripping:
  • External USB-connected CD ripping device required
• CD formats:
  • Red Book
• Disc Compatibility:
  • CD, CD-R, CD-RW
• CD ripper formats:
  • FLAC (compression level 0), WAV
• Playback audio formats:
  • WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, MP3, MQA

sample rates

• sample rates:
  • 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 768kHz, DSD over PCM (DoP) up to DSD256, Native DSD up to DSD512 (on selected DACs)
• bit depths:
  • 16bit, 24bit, 32bit

user control interfaces

• web interface:
  • Modern web browsers for iOS, Android, Windows and OS X
• Mobile:
  • Innuos Sense app for iOS/Android/Kindle Fire

Hardware

• Memory:
  • 3D TLC SSD for operating system
  • [Optional] 1 x PCIe NVMe SSD – 2TB / 4TB / 8TB (factory installed)
  • [Optional] 1 x m.2 NVMe SSD (user or factory installed)
• Processor:
  • Intel Core i3: 4 physical cores + 4 virtual cores
• RAM:
  • 16GB DDR4 industrial memory

streaming and CD storage

• UPnP/DLNA:
  • AssetUPnP
• Streaming services:
  • Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer, HighResAudio, Internet radio
• Average CD storage time:
  • 5 minutes
• CD metadata:
  • FreeDB, Musicbrainz, Discogs, GD3
• Compatible music systems:
  • Sonos Multi-Room Wireless Music System
  • DLNA/UPnP compatible devices
  • USB DACs that comply with USB Audio Class 2
  • Selected USB DACs that support Native DSD

Requirements

• Network:
  • Internet connection required for metadata query, streaming services and software updates
  • network access via Ethernet
  • Premium subscription required for streaming services such as Qobuz, Tidal etc.

power supply

• Mains supply:
  • 230V AC / 115V AC (switchable)