Mis à jour le 15 March 2023.
The Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 is the entry ticket to the British specialist’s audiophile music servers. This all-in-one model can store your music library on its hard drive or integrated SSD (variable capacity depending on the selected option), rip your CDs and be used as a network audio player with access to Qobuz and Tidal. All music can be transmitted to the USB outputs at a very high resolution of 32-bit/384kHz, MQA and DSD512, or to the RCA, optical and coaxial outputs at up to 24-bit/192kHz. It is also possible to share your music library over the local network to listen to it on other Innuos equipment, but also Roon, Sonos or DLNA devices. Can it become the reference multipurpose solution for digital music? And what are the advantages over a simple network player?
Founded in 2009 in the UK, the Innuos brand quickly mastered the production of audio servers. This device is designed to be the heart of a connected hi-fi system by centralizing music and streaming services. The company currently offers four models: the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3, Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 SSD, Innuos ZENith Mk3 and Innuos Statement SSD.
Innuos ZEN mini Mk3: variable storage capacity
The Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 is the brand’s entry level device. It offers the same features as the other models in the range, but simply uses different components. To store your files, this Innuos player and server is available with a built-in hard drive (Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 HDD) or an SSD (Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 SSD). The storage capacity varies from 1 to 4TB depending on the chosen option. Prices start at €1,299 for the 1TB HDD version (€1,599 for 4TB) and €1,699 for the SSD version with the same capacity (€2,199 for 4TB).
Unlike a standard entry level NAS or network player, the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 stands out with a design that is centered around audio streaming. This results in a drastic reduction of vibrations and interference, as well as an optimization of the signal path. The manufacturer allows the most demanding users to go even further by adding the Innuos ZEN mini LPSU external power supply. Priced at €699, it promises to provide a more stable and cleaner power supply. You can discover its real benefits in the listening impressions of this review.
Innuos ZEN mini Mk3: packaging & accessories
The Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 network player and server comes in a large box, inside of which it is secured in place and placed in a fabric pouch. It comes with a power adapter, a quick start guide and an Ethernet cable. Well-made, the latter is essential as the device doesn’t have a WiFi module. The manufacturer probably chose not to add this component in order to avoid any interference.
Innuos ZEN mini Mk3: presentation
Design
At 21cm wide, 7.5cm high and 24cm deep, the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 stands out in the world of network players, where compactness is often the norm. It is an element in its own right and will look great placed next to the amplifier and other electronics on a hi-fi stand. It is very elegant thanks to its completely metal chassis, and the front panel is decorated with geometric angles and shapes that are reminiscent of Astell&Kern’s DAPs.
CD ripper
Like the Bluesound Vault 2i, the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 audio server allows you to copy your CDs to its internal memory. This way, you can digitize your entire music library to access tracks more quickly and easily from your various connected devices. To do this, simply insert the CD into the TEAC CD drive on the server’s front panel. The CD is then automatically copied. The process is quite noisy, but very fast. It takes less than two minutes to rip an album that lasts approximately 45 minutes. It is also possible to limit the speed of the player to make it quieter.
The biggest advantage of the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3’s CD ripper is the fully automatic copying process. It is able to identify the content, name each track, download the cover art and integrate numerous data tags such as the musical genre, the artists present on each track, the year of production, etc. This data is retrieved from FreeDB, MusicBrainz, Discogs and GD3. It was always accurate with our record collection. Nevertheless, it is possible to correct mistakes, upload a new cover or add new tags from the Innuos app or from the server’s web interface.
Application and web interface
The Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 network player and server is easy to control using the Innuos mobile application or the web interface. The latter can be accessed by typing my.innuos.com into the navigator’s search bar on a Mac or iOS device. For a Windows PC or Android device, you have to enter the IP address (a series of 10 digits) attributed to the server by the network router.
The Innuos ZEN mini Mk3’s web interface is simple and intuitive. It provides the exact same experience as the Innuos mobile app for iOS and Android. The homepage displays your most recently copied CDs, the most recently played albums, and playlists specifically designed for our listening preferences. Tracks from related online music services, copied CDs and DLNA files are combined in a single library. This makes it much easier to access all your tracks without having to navigate through countless folders or applications.
The Innuos web interface and app also allow you to configure the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 network player and server’s many settings. From the “System” tab, you can activate the Sonos compatibility and the UPnP mode, define the output resolution and even launch a backup to save the music library on an external hard drive or a NAS server, for example. Conveniently, the content stored on the ZEN mini Mk3’s internal drive can also be accessed from a computer in the same way as a conventional network drive. This means you can drag and drop downloaded music directly onto it, or retrieve digitized CD files and copy them onto another hard drive, for example.
Server and network player
The Innuos ZEN mini Mk3’s server function allows you to store your entire music library on its own built-in hard drive and share it over the network. It can be accessed from any DLNA-compatible device, as well as from a Sonos speaker. Remote playback and loading happens instantly, even with the hard drive version. If you have a Roon license, you can convert the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 into a Roon server. It can then easily replace the more expensive Roon Nucleus server.
The Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 can also play tracks shared via DLNA or stored on an external hard drive thanks to its four USB-A ports. It can access web radios, Qobuz and Spotify. However, we would have appreciated support for more streaming services. Hopefully this is something that will be corrected via a future update. Moreover, the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 can be configured as an access point to become a zone on your usual server application. This allows it to be used as a receiving device for multi-room audio.
Connectors
The Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 HDD is the manufacturer’s only audio server to be equipped with its own DAC and an RCA output to connect it directly to an amp. The result is a fully independent system compatible with Hi-Res playback up to a resolution of 24-bits/192kHz. This capability is also available on the optical and coaxial outputs.
If you connect a USB DAC to one of the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 HDD server’s four USB ports, it is possible to play tracks in a resolution of 32-bit/768kHz and DSD files. Note that the server’s USB ports also allow you to connect a USB stick or an external hard drive.
Innuos ZEN mini LPSU: presentation
While the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 server and network player has its own power supply, the British manufacturer makes it possible to go even further with the Innuos ZEN mini LPSU external power supply. The goal is to limit interference and provide a cleaner current. To achieve this, the Innuos ZEN mini LPSU uses a toroidal transformer coupled to a linear power supply.
The format of the Innuos ZEN mini LPSU external power supply is exactly the same as that of the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 HDD server. This means that the two devices can be stacked together to create a harmonious system. The two devices are connected using the 1m connecting cable included with the power supply.
Innuos ZEN mini Mk3: listening conditions
Simplicity is at the heart of the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 server and player. Once connected to the network via Ethernet and to the mains (with its own adapter or via the ZEN mini LPSU external power supply), the device is automatically recognized in the mobile app and the web interface. You can then link your Qobuz or Tidal account, start digitizing CDs or transfer your files to the internal memory.
For our review, we connected the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 network player to a Pathos New Classic One MKIII hybrid amplifier via RCA, to the Marantz Model 40n amplifier via optical and to the Cayin IDAC-6 MK2 DAC via USB. At first, we used the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 with its standard mains adapter before testing the Innuos ZEN mini LPSU external power supply.
Innuos ZEN mini Mk3: listening impressions
Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 and original power supply
The Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 server and power supply proved to be very analytical and reproduced music incredibly accurately and with a lot of detail. Transparency was key, with none of the unwanted noise that would have disrupted the listening session and masked certain details. The sound was pure and diaphanous, highlighting the slightest details of each recording with incredible accuracy. Every note and nuance was delivered with unparalleled precision.
The Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 was a perfect example of neutrality. It reproduced music with remarkable precision and objectivity, without coloring the sound or being overly demonstrative. It respected the intentions of the artists and invited us to rediscover the purity and beauty of the music, without being distracted by superfluous sonic elements. Every timbre was presented with remarkable honesty and efficiency.
The Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 also impressed us with its open and spacious soundstage. It was both wide and deep, creating a vast soundscape in which every element was correctly placed. Each note flourished with exceptional conviction. The spectral balance was perfectly preserved, with deep bass, an expressive and rich midrange, and incisive, finely sculpted highs. All frequency ranges came together to achieve flawless musical harmony.
Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 + Innuos ZEN mini LPSU
When the Innuos ZEN mini LPSU external linear power supply was added, the improvement was most obvious when using the internal DAC of the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3. The feeling of space and openness became even greater. The different instruments and vocals were even more clearly separated, which enhanced the precision of the tiniest details. The Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 also seemed to become more dynamic, notably due to more full-bodied lows. However, the added benefits of the linear power supply were more subtle when the network player was used with an external DAC. That said, the highs were slightly more refined, adding a more delicate touch to an already excellent musical formula.
Innuos ZEN mini Mk3: compared to…
Bluesound Vault 2i: with a price tag of €1,499 for 2TB of storage, the Bluesound Vault 2i audio server is the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3’s direct rival. Like the latter, it can rip CDs and centralize your music library so you can share your music over the network or play it locally. It has the upper hand with its BluOS network player, as it is compatible with more streaming services (Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Spotify, Apple Music…) and can receive music via AirPlay or Bluetooth. However, the Bluesound Vault 2i is limited to a resolution of 24-bit/192kHz via its RCA, optical and coaxial outputs. Moreover, it can’t be paired with an external USB DAC like the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3.
Innuos ZEN mini Mk3: who is it for?
The Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 is a highly versatile device that meets all the needs of a modern audio installation that is centered around digital music and streaming. With its CD ripper, storage server, DLNA sharing and audio player features, it provides a wide range of playback possibilities. The CD ripper is a valuable tool, allowing you to revive your old discs and enjoy them more easily. The shared music library that combines local files, ripped CDs, USB drives and streaming services is a real advantage for those who use multiple storage systems and online music platforms. You might think that all these features and options would make the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 complicated to use, but this is not the case. In fact, its mobile app and web interface are among the best designed and most intuitive in the industry!
Innuos ZEN mini Mk3: conclusion
Versatile and multifunctional, the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 server and network player is brimming with assets to become the hub of any hi-fi system. Its perfect combination of functionality, musicality and ease of use quickly won us over. Whether it’s for copying CDs, centralizing your tracks or streaming music, the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 is incredibly efficient. The experience offered by this version with an integrated hard drive was already so musical and smooth that one may wonder whether there is any real point in upgrading to the version with SSD. It seems more sensible to save money and invest in the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 external power supply, whose benefits are more significant. Finally, it is also advisable to associate the Innuos ZEN mini Mk3 with an external USB DAC such as the Aune Audio X8 XVIII DAC to enjoy its full potential with Hi-Res files.
We liked:
- The many available functions
- The extremely fast CD ripper
- The ease of use
We would have liked:
- More streaming services
- The ability to connect it via WiFi
good