Innuos Pulse Mini reviewed and compared
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ก.ค. 2024
- Innuos Pulse Mini is a Streamer and a DAC going for $1250/€1000. Read my written reviews with scores at iiwireviews.com/
Support the channel via Patreon (BIG thanks to current patrons!): / iiwireviews
Official webpage: innuos.com/pulse-mini/
Use these affiliate links if you want to help the channel
Try Roon: shorturl.at/kKU48
Amazon: amzn.to/3Hod23i
ShenzhenAudio: bit.ly/3sRtfKE
HiFiGo: bit.ly/3mQsFsv
Apos: bit.ly/3HtctFt
AliExpress: bit.ly/41ISht6
00:00 Introduction
00:27 About Pulse Mini
03:05 The App
05:37 Sound (Digital Outs)
07:31 vs Bluesound Node
09:08 vs Eversolo DMP-A6
12:16 vs iFi Zen Stream
13:05 Sound (DAC - Analog Outs)
14:39 vs Bluesound Node
15:28 vs Eversolo DMP-A6
19:30 Conclusion
Follow me on Instagram for behind the scene stuff: / iiwireviews
Test system:
Pi2Design Mercury streamer: bit.ly/3PLha14
Gustard R26 DAC: bit.ly/3XLyNCF
Acoustic Invader AMP and PREAMP (Fulcrum version): acousticinvader.com/
Spirit Wind Speakers
KEF LS50 speakers: amzn.to/2ztRg0s
Head-Fi:
Topping A90D: bit.ly/3Mrk0KY
Verum 1: www.verum-audio.com/store
Goldplanar GL2000: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkW...
AKG K702: amzn.to/3TSlnUF
#hifi #audiophile #dac #streaming - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
![[TH] VCT Pacific Stage 2 - Playoffs Day 2 // PRX vs GEN | DRX vs TLN](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gmrSk-_ahlA/mqdefault.jpg)
![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](/img/n.gif)
Thanks for another great review and even better music recommendations!
Appreciate your reviews, you’re doing a great job. Comprehensive and concise.
Best reviewer on The Tube. Your deccriptors of the sound of the music is second to none. Remarkable considering that (judging by your accent) English is not your first language. Keep it up iiwi. Your work is appreciated.
Thanks! Yes, English is not my first language and I've never lived in any English speaking area so that's why my accent is strong.
I’ve commented on this before, your English is amazing. The considerable change with character set makes what you do fantastic.
I totally agree! Absolutely love your reviews.
I found your music recommendation in your videos very helpful.
Great review, great video. Thank you!
Right now…I am using Mercury Streamer connected to ethernet streaming Qobuz, driven by Volumio controlled by Mac IOS. The Mercury is connected to my Denefrips Pontus II via high-quality HDMI Cable. The sound seems fantastic "to me"….BUT…the lags and reloading of Volumio w/IOS make The Innuous look like a speed demon!!!
IF Eversolo would produce just a streamer (no DAC) with the same physical implementation, I²S connectivity at a reasonable price…I would sell my Mercury and switch to an Eversolo unit in a minute!
Thanks for all your detailed descriptions, hard work and including some music! GREAT JOB! 👍🏼😀
me to, but my Bluesound into my Pontus is pretty good
@@xstensl8823….well…my Mercury Streamer "should" be a significant step up in sound fidelity from the Bluesound Node Streamer…but your Blue Sound's interface blows Volumio out of the water I am SURE!! 👍🏼 Volumio has a decent interface…but the lags drive me crazy 😵💫…LOL!
love your videos, very informative. I think I'm going to buy the Eversolo A6 as a transport
Thank you for this great review. I use the Pulse Mini with the USB Output and find the sound quality superb. It is a pitty that you only tested SPDIF, as I have the impression that with the Pulse Mini the SPDIF output ist not as good as the USB output. For getting a really good SPDIF output you would probably need to choose an Innuos Pulse instead of an Innuos Pulse Mini.
I completely agree. The crystal oscillator in the mini is bottom rung whereas usb is asynchronous and doesn’t depend on the clock on the mini. You would need a reclocker if you really need SPDIF.
Enjoyed the video, good stuff
Both the Pulse mini and Eversolo DMP-A6 are on my shortlist of streamers (to be used as streaming bridges), so I was very much looking forward to this review, and it did not disappoint! I would love to hear your oppinion also on the NuPrime Stream-9, which I have as another option. The Stream-9 is slightly higer priced and I'm of course wondering - is it Worth it...😉
As usual, very informative review. Interesting this beats the Eversolo dac with a Burr Brown. The Eversolo has become the latest to be hyped. On a different note, I purchased the Ladder Schumann. For your reference only, it has a problem with the NOS/OS function. There is loud static when processing 24 bit music. It doesn’t seem to have a problem with 16/44. This is a known problem without a solution as of today.
Really appreciate your very detailed and trustworthy reviews! Thanks again 👍
Thanks for your support!
Great review Srbo and very interesting product but for devices in this category I think that features and functionalities are equally important as the sound quality and in this regard a product like the Eversolo DMP-A6 is significantly more comprehensive than the Innous: display, Wi-Fi connection, internal storage, CD playback and ripping, etc. Not something that all are in the real need to have or use but definitely something that brings value to the money spent. In case you can acquire one sample I would be really courious to watch your review of the Eversolo DMP-A6 Master Edition with improved internal components. Probably not the kind of bargain of the standard edition but interesting to check the level of improvement soundwise. 👋
Thanks for the review. I own the Pulse Mini and the Node(N130). I prefer the Pulse Mini and Innuous' customer support is great.
Many thanks for another interesting multi-platform review. I too like the BluOs App. on the Bluesound Node which works well with Tidal.
I'm coming to the conclusion my Bluesound Node streamer can only benefit from the Topping E70 Velvet connected as an external Dac.
A very interesting review and as usual the comparisons are to the point. In general I agree with you regarding buying product online from the far east- excluding US and EU comanies such as ZU and BUCHART- but in the case of EVERSOLO my suplier is a UK hifi dealer so your comment does not apply to EVERSOLO if bought in the UK. Keep up the high standards you have set for other reviewers. Daniel
Regarding the software plateform, it is the same one used on all Innuos products including the flagship Statement. You are guaranteed continuous improvements and upgrades but the processor of the Pulse may be a bit under-powered resulting in the "spinning loading" screen. I have the Innuos Zenith Mk 3 and I don't have that issue.
Your reviews are GREAT. I know you've given your expert "Golden Ear" opinion on many DACS and picked say "The best DAC under $500.00". Could you please do a session on the"sweet spot" for DACS in general. By that I mean, the best DAC of all of them for the price. For every type of HiFi equipment there comes a point where one more dollar spent buys less than a dollar of improvement. What is that amount with DACS? What do you consider the best DAC at that Sweet Spot expense point.
It would be excellent if you could at some point, compare the units that can have upgraded power supplies. I have a Node 2i with an external 5V linear power supply, and an interface board installed inside the Node that adds additional filtering and capacitance. This sounds head and shoulders better than stock.
This Pulse Mini has a 9V-24V DC input, so I am guessing that a better external power supply could also improve its sound quality.
I did add LPS to the Innuos Pulse and yes, it takes it to a much higher level. Try it, you won't regret the upgrade :)
Oops. Scratch the previous comment please. I was confusing this with another video I just watched. ✌️
Thanks for a great review. The only thing that stops me buying the Innuos Pulse is the fact that it cannot do wifi. As I cannot easily use an Ethernet connection this is a deal breaker for me.
One of your most "dry" reviews to date. If I read correct between the lines, whether I keep my Node 2i or if I wish to get more, I clearly would go for the Eversolo and save some hundreds. Thanks again for your reviews! Such like this one, make them special trustworthy.
I am astonished that you found the presence of a second ethernet port only useful for certain scenarios. It was one of the main reasons I bought its bigger brother, a Innuos Zen MK3 for myself, so that I have a dedicated port with noise reduction for my streamer, hence the Innuos is only used as a server.
It was just my line of thoughts at the moment. I belive that very few buyers will actually use it that way, but I'm just thinking out loud here without any actual statistics. Anyway, that's how I saw it...and my comment reflected that. But of course, if you're actually using that feature then it's 100% important to you personally, so there's that.
Not sure if you would do this but the companies LHY and PD Creative have upgradable PSU for the Node streamers. You will need a 5v external power supply like the Sbooster but the internal PSU can be installed in 15 minutes no soldiering. I think this would make for an interesting comparison. Thanks for your reviews sir
AS USUAL!! Another great review. I got the overall vibe that the EverSolo still dominates the sub $1300 streamer DAC market, and probably will for quite some time. Great stuff and great review. At 50% more cost, less inputs, less bells and whistles, and when using each to their full capacity the solo still edges out the comp (depending on preference)… 🤔🤔🤔. Would love to hear the two together. The EverSolo has become my reference unit lately and it’s damn good. 🥰🥰. Thanks for the awesome review!! 🍻🍻
Thanks for your support man! 👍
I always enjoy your detailed reviews. I have an Eversolo a6 connected to a Gustard R26. Is digital coaxial your preferred connection in that scenario? Thank you.
Good review. The Innuos software is superb can’t give it up. The loading screen doesn’t bother me because I know that is how it was designed. The loading is intensional, it was designed so the control device is not continuously connected to the streamer to improve sound quality. Mentioned on the website.
I am glad you mentioned that the Sense app was designed like that; the loading was my only concern on the Pulse Mini, but still I like it better than my Node (N130). The Node's app is good but sometimes it just does not connect when you open it and I have to reboot the Node. Never had to do that with the Pulse Mini. The Eversolo looks interesting, but I still would have gone with the Pulse Mini mainly because of the Innuous' customer support aspect, which I have used and it was excellent, and the Sense app seems to be more pleasant to use according to iiWi.
@@roig8578 Absolutely, the Innuos software and streamers are solid and a joy to use. Glad you enjoy using the Pulse Mini. I have had my Zen for 3 years and never had an issue, it is always on, works every time I use it. Just a great product. Cheers.
I'm currently looking for a streamer. That constant loading is an absolute deal breaker for me, lol. Everyone has their preferences, I guess.
@johnvalatos4073 @donnowak4304 So now application lag is a feature? LOL, you can't make this s up. Application lag is intentional to improve sound quality? sNAKE Oil must have been on sale that week, the koolaid is strong in this one.
@@bumpsy2358 The client software disconnects from the Innuos unit when you are not using the client software on your PC, tablet, phone after a certain time. There is obviously some lag when you go and reuse the client software as it reconnects with the Innuos unit. So it is the disconnection, not the lag, Innuos have found improves the sound. They tested it and noticed an improvement, take it up with them don’t call it snake oil if you don’t have the data. They would really be silly to do this if there is no improvement, just saying. In the end it does not bother me, usually playing a album or playlist so one or two seconds to reconnect is not a big deal. Also the software is great so no need to pay for Roon 👍.
Eversolo dmp a6 master edition is definitely worth auditioning
Very detailed and interesting, as always Srbo, thank you!
I've also found that the Pulse works better with it's analog outputs than with the external dac I'm using.
Thanks for loaning it to me and making this review possible. 👍
What external DAC are you using Vladimir?
@@PP-nh1lv I'm using an Atoll dac board DA200, with the AKM4490 dac chip. It's installed into my IN100 Sig amp
@@vladimirjovanovic2803 👍
@@vladimirjovanovic2803How is the SQ of that onboard DAC? I like a nice integrated amp w/a well matched onboard DAC. And Atoll sure seems to get a lot of love from a lot of people. 🙂
Excellent
Thanks for the great review!
I have the Innuos Pulse and didn't like the lag in the loading pages. However with the latest Sense firmware update in August, the lag is gone. Very fast now. Innuos has frequent software updates. It shows that the company is always trying to improve.
Any news about matching Innuos linear power supply? That would probably increase "digital out" quality of Pulse Mini and also surpass Eversolo (but then it would be another price category). What is more interesting, for someone looking one box solution, is that DAC section of Pulse Mini sounds really good. I didn't expect that.
If there's only a little and subjective difference in the sound quality I would prefer Eversolo. I don't want to turn on my phone or tablet every time when there's an unknown song on the radio and I want to know its name. That big display is a huge advantage for me.
fyi - i just saw that one of the high end audio stores in Toronto is now carrying Eversolo DMP - A6 in store and its on display there. So they are using dealers now.
Thanks!
Welcome!
Sometimes, I just like the way he says 'Juicy'
😄
I was leaning towards the ever solo but this sounds like the one for me.
would the fact that I have a valve amp (prima luna integrated 100) change the streamer you'd recommend at say under the £1250 mark.
I would really like to see a Primare NP5 MKII review, I don't know if you have heard of it, but maybe it will interest you.
Good review 👍
If streamer and dac are standalone units , from your experience which unit will have more impact on the end sound result or in other words were to put more money when buying those units?
Can you enlightened this topic on one of you future vides?
The DAC will have more impact in my experience so I advice putting bigger chunk of the budget towards that.
I wonder how it compares to the pi2aes did you get a chance to try that?
Great review. Thank you.
What was the second DAC that you fed the streamers to? It would be great if you have more information on that.
It's a tube DAC that I made myself. It's similar to Lampizator DACs because it's based on the project of their creator Lukasz Fikus, but built like TOTL product. I'll make a video about it sometime.
@@iiWiReviews yes. Thank you. Would love to see a video about that. Keep up the great reviews.
Thanks for the review and comparison! Just curious, how are you acoustically compare the digital outputs? Is there an integrated DSP, which converts or modifies the signal before passing it to the external DAC? Otherwise the streamer transport should just transmit the same bits over to the digital out, shouldn‘t it? Does it make sense to talk about the size of the stage or depth or sound character in this case as it mostly referring to the rendering qualities of your external DAC? Thanks!
Long story short - no, digital platforms don't sound the same even though they should in theory. In reality, every device connected to your HiFi can introduce some kind of noise, jitter, etc. that is carried alongside the digital data and influences the analog signal that way (not through the data stream that is perfectly preserved in its digital form). So connecting your DAC to PC will sound different than connecting it to a dedicated low-noise digital platform. And those digital platforms will also sound slightly different from each other.
All of this said the scope of that difference is not nearly as big as when you change your speakers or your amplifier... but once the whole system is of a very high quality, it's noticeable enough in the resulting sound that many audiophiles take care about these digital transports too.
It's not intuitive and people with shallow understanding of this topic, or not used to critical listening, are prone to ridiculing audiophiles for claiming to hear those differences.
That would be as concise an answer as I can give in this short amount of time and space. My advice is this - if you're not deep into this hobby, chances are it will not make a significant difference to your system, and investing in better gear like speakers, amps, and DACs... is still a better idea. This is more like adding racing tires to the fast racing car - the last touch that brings small improvement that might not be noticeable to an average person but is very important to the racing driver no matter how small it is.
@@iiWiReviews , thanks very much for taking your time and providing such a comprehensive explanation. Your are right, I am not too much into audiophile, but rather into a high fidelity sound equipment, which satisfies my ears and brain :) Will definitely look into the digital signal distortion topic a bit deeper to better understand the impact here. Also cannot wait for my Eversolo DMP-A6 to be delivered to check it out with my setup. Thanks again and keep your channel members excited!
I just got the pulse mini and discovered that the USB output to my DAC sounds far superior to the coax/optical outputs. The pulse mini uses cheap clocks which probably limits the performance of the coax/optical outputs whereas USB is asynchronous and depends on the clock on the DAC when the signal is reconstructed. Would be interesting to hear how this excellent review is modified if one listens through the USB output to a DAC. I feel that the best way to use this streamer is with the USB output.
I did an A/B with a linear power supply. (Overkill, had it on hand. 12V, 13A so beefy). The USB output didnt really change that much, if at all. The coax output made a big difference, It removed a layer of grunge. Hard to quantify - just that for me, it went from not being able to listen prolonged time to where it was competing with the USB output. USB output was still cleaner but was less exciting/dynamic than the coax output. The coax output was now listenable. I am pleased with the rock solid innuos sense app and expect it will be supported for a long time. That to me means that the innuos pulse mini is a keeper and I am less interested in the Eversolo because chances are the company would probably come out with a new model and drop support for the DMP A6. Its just a different philosophy - wouldnt mind if it was $100 but for 1k, I want it to have a 5 year lifetime minimum
I also compared it to my reference streamer - a W4S modified Sonos connect which is an amazingly good sounding streamer, much better than the sonos port, blueound node. Thru the USB port, it was very close. The W4S connect was livelier with better defined midbass thru the coax and the pulse mini seemed a bit cleaner in the highs, more reserved (less dynamic) and not quite as full midbass. The slight lack of midbass that was referred to in the review holds true whether the innuos output is USB or coax, which makes me tempted to compare with the Eversolo
Hi, did you ever try to put a battery to a Innuos item? I am using LiFePo or LFP (its the same) batteries to supply the power to the Innuos Zen Mini MK3. You wont recognize your streaming device again. More dynamics, bigger stage in width and deepth. I simply would say the statement wont sound better. If you need any advice you can ask me. Regards Thomas
I really love the looks!!
I think the looks are dreadful compared to the Eversolo! 😄…but of course there is no right or wrong here. 👍🏼
@@bobb.9917 good thing we are not married!
In addition i tried external power supplies for example Keces P8. It didnt reach that quality of sound like with batteries. 12V are enough
No hard drive or Roon Core like the Zen Mini?
Which way would you choose: Eversolo or Bluesound Node with Teddy Pardo Mini LPS, if only using as a streamer? Btw- I do not like the Node interface, and I opt for Roon as a core (Mac Mini), sending WAV files over network Ethernet.
I haven't tried Teddy Pardo PS but Eversolo is comfortably better than Node. I just don't see any situation where Node is able to catch up.
@@iiWiReviews How about when you add the SMSL SU 1 to the Node to achieve a cost conscious quality sound as I did?
I have the Innuos Zen Mini 3 SSD (similar to the Pulse Mini but with CD ripper) and wondering what external DAC would be a worthwhile upgrade for it. How much would I need to spend £1000? £2000?...
Are you comparing Zen Stream on the(little Chinese one) stock power supply?
I used it with a default one but also with iPower X power supply. But that doesn't matter much because both benefit equally with better power supplies, with performance gap staying the same.
Compare Ifi ZEN STREAM if consider only Digital Which one is the winner in term of Sound quality?
Would be great to compare to a good Pi with Ian Canada (one hat only!!!) IAN CANADA transport pi digi (with clocks) - that is under 300 USD.
Would it be safe to say the gustard r26 is all around better sonically, but in terms of usability the innuos wins (b/c of app)?
Yes, it would.
If you don't mind using 3rd party apps with Gustard, I can recommend Bubble UPnP (one time $7.99 purchase for lifetime licence). It has pretty and fast UI, can stream Tidal, Qobuz, radios, and local network storage.
the loading screens might be eliminated with a newer or more powerful phone, but perhaps you have the latest and greatest phone.
sometimes you have power setting in the app 👍
How do these compare as streamers to Auralic G1 / G1.1?
I haven't had a chance to listen to those so can't help you there.
I don't recall you reviewing the rendering part of the Gustard R26 which you own. Also, you never compare it to any of the other streamers. That your review and I was just wondering why? Have you used the R26 as a streamer and if so, how does it compare to all the streamers you have been reviewing lately?
Renderer inside the R26 and A26 is really good but it's kinda on analytical side of things, lacking just a bit richness and tone timbre. Because of that I preferred using it with external streamer. On the other hand, the DAC part is so good and thanks to that it can easily pull ahead of Pulse Mini and DMP-A6 as a whole device.
@@iiWiReviews OK, thanks for that. I very much appreciate your opinion.
R26 has HQ Player integrated
@@iiWiReviews there's an adjustment in HQ Player that fixes your complaint about sound ( most of the streaming needs an adjustment in the lowering of its digital volume) some do a 3db drop check box other have to be done manually!!!!
@@thinkIndependent2024 Hey, thanks for your comment! I haven't explored HQ Player yet. It looks kinda complicated and I'm not the most tech savvy guy. Once I (if ever) finish my never ending home remodel project maybe I try playing with it. I understand it integrates well with Roon.
'ethernet' would be where it connects directly to the internet and 'lan' would be where it connects to other devices in the 'local area' but hey, maybe i'm wrong
How does this compare against the PecanPi+ Streamer?
Going by memory and some intermediary comparisons, it feels like they are roughly in the same tear but PecanPi+ might have an edge in terms of resolution and fine deteil retrieval. I wouldn't be able to go into more detail without a fresh and direct comparison.
@@iiWiReviews Thanks.
Can an Allo Shanti LPS be used to power the Pulse Mini?
I can't recall with certainty at the moment but I belive Pulse Mini uses higher voltage (9 or 12V) so it can't be used with Shanti which is 5V. You should check its specs.
iFi iPower X or elite, or Sbooster all produce PS with those higher voltages.
@@iiWiReviews Looks like you are right i checked as well. Too bad as I already have a Shanti powering up my RPi streamer. Thanks!
I use Raspberry Pi running Ropieee for streaming USB straight to my Benchmark DAC3 from my Roon Core server. Bit Perfect end to end. I don't see the point (price) of these Audiophile streamers.
the comparison here is a little off-base...You should have compared the Master Edition Eversolo to the Pulse Mini since they are in the same price point.
BurrBrown is old Tech and widely available @ a lower price than Innuos offers in the there product U can build a SBC with better sound for under $300.00
( No it's Not Worth It)
What about ifi zen stream vs Eversolo dmp6?
Eversolo is better if the rest of the system is good enough to show it. Wider and deeper soundstage, cleaner overall.
DIY DAC!!! What?.
Similar to Lampizator DACs, by same creator too. I'll make a video about it at some point.
So the Eversolo sounds at least as good, maybe better, and the software is comparable! The Eversolo is a no-brainer!!! And its $200 cheaper!!
Great review btw! :)
Listen carefully to 17:40; it depends on the person's experience. I see both great options for various reasons - one of my concerns about the EverSolo is the support and future updates. Wouldn't be a surprise if EverSolo released a new update version and then leave the current version behind.
🤗😎👍💚💚💚
It cost 400 dollars more, than dmp-a6. And based on it's performance according to you, there is no 400 dollars worth of upgrade in it. And it is ugly as heck, and you tried to down play the app lag, like it is no big deal. That is a huge deal! It is not ready for prime time. If you want to change your playlist, create a new one on the fly, but at least you would not have to wait on the spinning ball to complete before you can go to the next thing.
If it's $400 more in your case then it's not worth it, especially if you only need a digital streaming part. As I said DMP-A6 is even better digital streamer. But price difference is not so straightforward... For example, I need to order DMP-A6 online and pay import fees and tax which puts it at the exact same price as this one bought locally from the dealer (tax included).
Louding is annoying and I didn't downplay it, I talked about it, I even recorded it in action... I did the same for EverSolo app shortcomings so everyone can decide what's more important or more annoying to them.
If you compare all the review transcripts they are almost the same, a little bit this a little bit that...
Very much sssst when you talk with a word beginning with s, very annoying. I could be the audio
What a clown.
One more thing… one is MIC and one is made in EU. 😂