I was told Digital Server and Streamer Transport at its BEST,
from a Portuguese company under the brand, INNUOS by Mr.Nuno Vittorino (co-founder). It was formed in 2016 in the Algarve. Their products were designed and handcrafted in Faro, Portugal,
“according to a Rigid Set of Requirements“
INNUOS have officially appointed a distributor in MALAYSIA, and that torch was handed to AV DESIGNS (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD. To start off, they decided to bring in almost the entire catologue of INNUOS products which included the latest STATEMENT NEXT-GEN Server and Streamer,…designed with ‘SOUND QUALITY AS ITS TOP PRIORITY‘ thus distributed digital music exclusively (/only) via wired LAN (not via noisy WLAN).
The INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN (Retail at Ringgit Malaysia RM127,600 with 1 TB SSD) was initiated in 2023 and launched to replace their already well reviewed, well received and commercially successful INNUOS STATEMENT model (which was upgradeable to the NEXT-GEN model by the manufacturer at the price of £5,000).
The INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN being the Portuguese manufacturer’s latest Flagship Music Server and Streamer was built upon that STATEMENT platform, with an ‘almost redesigned‘ Power Supply Unit (PSU) by the famed (among audiophile) Dr. Sean Jacobs (of Custom HiFi Cables Ltd.), who was well known for his works,
to Improve Power Supply thus Sound Quality.
The INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN PSU chassis was rigged with four [4] Spring-Infused Footers with rubber O-rings. That housed a massive Custom-Made Hefty 540VA Toroidal Transformer and,…the ‘Major Differences‘ from the STATEMENT, were
two [2] Custom-Designed Special ‘ARC6‘ AC/DC Modules by the Doctor.
Where each module employed a New High-Precision Active Power Supply Rectifier Board that housed a large 10mH DC (Input) Choke,
with six [6] Mundorf caps, that contributed four [4] times more Capacitance than the STATEMENT Power Supply.
Dr.Sean Jacobs employed such Input Chokes (from the proposition of Nic Poulson, the founder of Trilogy Audio Systems), which was more difficult, more expensive and required more space for bulkier components, was to provide nearly continual (99%) Sinusoidal Current to those capacitors to…
Limit Noise and provide more Constant Energy Flux…all for the Better Sound Quality.
In addition, the ‘ARC6‘ AC/DC modules were mounted on Innuos’ new Adaptive Vibration Control (AVC) platform; a combination of Panzerholz Wood with a specific Density Gel Layer, which was claimed to be…
“highly effective at Dampening High-Frequency Vibration that came from the Chassis.”
Meanwhile, at the INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN upper chassis, the Server and Streamer Unit, was rigged with three [3] asymmetrically aligned POM pucks each with three [3] rubber hemispheres. Inside the Server and Streamer Unit contained Voltage Regulators that incorporated a dedicated CPU Booster Module that was capable of outputting up to 15 Amps of Current to the processor. The Power Supply Rails for the Motherboard, SSD, USB and Ethernet Recloker Modules,
even employed the famed Audio Note Kaisei capacitors.
The INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN Server and Streamer was not your ordinary computer but a Heavily Customized PC that ran on their own BIOS which was a modified Linux OS named InnuOS and, LMS used as music library.
Inside the upper Server and Streamer Unit, there was a TEAC Optical Drive and Intel SSD on an Anti-Vibration Suspension. In addition, there was a Mini-ITX mobo with Intel CPU, 8GB RAM (4GB reserved for in-memory playback), Optimized Clocks and which removed EMI sources.
Even their Ethernet ports featured own Reclockers with 3ppb (3 parts per billion) OCXO (Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator) Clocks.
Therefore, to improve Sound Quality, their USB2.0 output port to the Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) was fitted with their internal Phoenix Module which contained a Reclocking Circuit that supposedly removed noise from the connected source’s 5V line,…to reproduce its own ‘cleaned‘ 5V and,
its OCXO Oscillator reclocked the USB bus and kept the Audio Data Intact.
DIGITAL AT ITS BEST CONNECTED.
I have attended the INNUOS launch event at AV DESIGNS (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD and there I was already impressed with its Simplicity to Use, Clean Facade and Musical Tones. Then, I was invited to another event by the same Host to experience again their ASCENDO INFRASONIC SUBWOOFER 24” that coincidingly used the INNUOS ZEN NEXT-GEN Server and Streamer as the main source,…and at that second exposure peaked my interest in the INNUOS digital products, especially their Flagship!
Soon, AV DESIGNS sent to my Audio Den the INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN for review. Enthusiastically, I connected its USB output port with the indispensable AA AUDIO USB SIG XT USB 2.0 cable to the VITUS MASTERPIECE MP-D201 DAC which was connected to the FM ACOUSTICS 268C preamplifier via VERMOUTH REFERENCE BALANCE XLR cable. From the VITUS MASTERPIECE MP-M201AF amplifiers to the MAGICO M2 loudspeakers used the SKOGRAND CABLES’ Ultra High End Flagship SILVERLINE SC and STRAVINSKY II ACs.
Then I downloaded unto my Smart Phone (or a Pad) their INNUOS SENSE APPS (its free!) which I found, as they said, intuitive and responsive.
According to their website, the INNUOS SENSE delivers optimal music playback with the following features:
-Seamless and automatic ripping of CDs on Innuos music servers,
–Navigating streaming services like Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer, HighResAudio or IDAGIO with ease,
-TIIDAL Connect and MAX resolution supported, with more streaming services to come,
–Fully unified library combining music stored locally (on Innuos music servers) or on a NAS with music from Qobuz and TIDAL, blending related artists and discographies,
–Internet Radio with easy preset creation. Dedicated Podcast section,
–Radio Paradise, a popular internet-radio service available in CD-quality FLAC,
–Easy creation of mixed playlists plus support for Qobuz collaborative playlists, with fast universal searches across multiple streaming services and music stored locally or on NAS drives,
-Curated and configurable Smart Mixes based on your music,
–Home Screen widgets allow you to customize and access your favorite features at the touch of a button
–Innuos Multiroom grouping,
-Refined Sense UPnP and ‘Now Playing‘ TV Casting.
The initial impression from just one familiar song, ‘To You‘ (from streaming Tidal) by the Japanese Artist, Ms.Sowelu got me Impressed at…
the Details that Invoked me Emotionally,
the INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN was able to and, that also got me (very) curious and reminded me of a ‘previous review‘. Therefore, I decided to use the ‘previously reviewed‘ (by yours truly) FRANC AUDIO ACCESSORIES (POLAND) Ceramic Disc footers (by Mr.Paweł Skulimowski) directly under its PSU’s four [4] Spring-Infused Footers with rubber O-rings (some may argue against such action),…that similarly brought about the Emotionally Invoking sensation.
I found the introduction of both the AA AUDIO USB SIG XT USB 2.0 and the FRANC AUDIO ACCESSORIES (POLAND) Ceramic Disc footers were not detrimental in any way to the Sound Quality nor change (too much?) the Sonic Character/ Color of the INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN,…that would alter the ‘Findings thus Conclusion‘ of the review.
Instead, I preferred to view them as TOOLS IN USE for the REVIEW,
as in the case of all the other components and ancillaries used throughout the riew.
SOUND QUALITY AS ITS TOP PRIORITY?
I admitted above that I already got a positive impression of the INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN‘s Sound Quality, just from Tidal streaming platform. The following findings (from Tidal streaming) would not be any different,…
but REASSURANCE!
I discovered that the above album was in the Tidal memory of played albums of the delivered INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN. Out of curiosity,…
I played it and already ‘Luv‘ it upon ‘First Listen‘,
and that was the repeated feeling and sensation even when I heard ‘my usual/ heavily played music‘ through it. The music did not sound fast/ hurried or slow/ dragging,…
but just Flow at Ease to the Audiophile Heart.
Here, Ms.Halie Loren‘s voiceation sounded Attractive, Seductive, Emotional, Energetic, Cheerful, and Generous. The aural presentation was Touching and Melodious,
thus provided a Level of Realism that could only be gained at the ‘Recording Session Itself‘.
Here, the INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN was
Transparent to the Recording and its Venue which was ‘Live At Cotton Club‘,
which presented the Spaciousness and Airiness of the Soundscape, the Three Dimensional (3D) of the Soundstage and, the Distinctness and Space by each Instrument.
I even found each Note from the instrument was presented to its Fullness, Weight, Power, Bloom, Air and,
even the resulted Reverb from the boundaries of the venue.
In addition, the Audible Participation of the Audience was Realistically and Organically presented,…notably the Clapping of Hands at the end of each track which sounded exactly like ‘Hands of Flesh Clapping‘ and,
the audible clarity of Distanced Cheering and Whistling by the Audiences.
Here, at the track ‘St.James Infirmary‘ rendered by BABA BLUES that consisted of the Swedish duo Mr.Richard Danielson and Mr.Clas Gustavsson, that I found the minimalistic settings of voice, harmonica and two acoustic guitars were presented with…
the Intended/ Recorded Intimate Resolution of a Strong and Heavy ‘Voiceation‘, and with equally Weighted Presence of the ‘Accompanied Instruments‘ and the ‘Notes‘ thereof.
From the above album and at the track, ‘Letter‘ by the Japanese musician and sound designer, Mr.Yosi Horikawa, the realistically and accurately recorded of the ‘Writing on the Paper‘ was presented so Realistically and Naturally with the Audible Details and Sensation of (almost) Tangible Weight at the ‘Writing…’,
I felt that the track was Perform and Recorded in Front of Me!
I found the INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN to be an excellent example of ‘Transparent to the Native Recording‘,
from its presentation of the ‘Fullness of an Orchestra‘ (quite literally), The Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich led by Estonian Grammy Award-winning conductor, Mr.Paavo Järvi with all the Recorded Grandeur, Scale, (Stup) Power, Weight and Dynamism thereof, and the Size and Dimensions (inclusive the very Depth) of the RECORDING VENUE.
In addition, I was able to appreciate the conductorship of Mr.Paavo Järvi due to
the exposure of Distinct Spaces between Sections of Musicians within the Orchestra,
their Participation in the Music and thus the Flow of the Music presentation.
In other words, the INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN Completed the MUSIC Presentation!
I did check out the Sound Quality of the CD Ripped Music,
and compared it to the actual CD playback via the VITUS MASTERPIECE MP-T201 CD Transport through the same above-mentioned VITUS DAC. I found the INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN presented the CD ripped music with the Native CD Resolution of Details Accurately and in its Entirety (nothing was audibly amiss),…compared to the playback via the CD Transport.
If I have to ‘magnify the slightest of differences‘, then the INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN with the CD ripped track imaged with Tighter Focus of the vocalist Ms.Kit Chan, Clearer Delineation of the accompanied instruments and with Heavier Density at the notes played. However, the VITUS MASTERPIECE MP-T201 through the CD playback presented a Fleshier Body and Rounder Image of the vocalist and the instruments, and More Agile Mid to Low Bass at the notes.
Similarly, I found the ‘slight differences‘ in Sound Quality between the same CD ripped and streamed Tidal track,…where the CD ripped track has slightly Better Definition, Delineation, Density, Dynamic, Weight, Anchorage, More Enveloping Soundscape, and Engaging Presentation.
All in all, I must reinterate the above Sound Quality differences…
may be Slight but Noticeable.
RIGID SET OF REQUIREMENTS FULFILLED!
The INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN was designed and manufactured under a certain Rigid Set of Requirements, at an Unavoidable High Cost and with Sound Quality as its Top Priority.
It was undeniable that I listened to more digital music (about 5 hours daily) through the INNUOS STATEMENT NEXT-GEN than any other Digital transport in my keep. Therefore, I would say that INNUOS has Definitely Achieved It…being a part of DIGITAL SOURCE AT ITS BEST CONNECTED,…
THAT MANAGE TO PRESENT DIGITAL MUSIC WITH EMOTION THAT IMPRESSED AN ANALOGUE FIRST AUDIOPHILE, ME!
Technical specifications
- Type Music server with SSD storage, CD ripper and separate power supply with optional upgrade
- Storage 1, 2, 4 or 8TB
- Network connection RJ45 Ethernet
- Digital Outputs Independently clocked RJ45 Ethernet, Reclocked USB
- Back up connection USB/Ethernet
- Formats supported WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, MP3, MQA (with supported DACs)
- Sample rates Up to 32bit/768KHz PCM, up to DSD256 via DoP. Up to DSD512 via Native DSD with selected DACs
- CD rip format FLAC (zero compression), WAV
- Streaming services supported Qobuz, Tidal, Radio Paradise, Internet Radio
- User Interface Innuos Sense App (Android, iOS, Kindle Fire), Browser (Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Microsoft Edge)
- Other Features UPnP/DLNA server, , Roon Core and Bridge, HQ Player Endpoint, Sonos
- Dimensions (H×W×D) server 70 × 420 × 320mm,
PSU 105 × 420 × 320mm - Weight server 11kg, PSU 15kg
- Price Ringgit Malaysia RM127,600 (with 1 TB SSD)