Audition PT 3
The Department of MUSIC, Petworth
3-6pm Wednesday 26/10/2022
SHOP SYSTEM.
Innuos ZenITH mk3
Naim 252 + Supercap
Naim NAP300
Kudos Titan 606
I took along my BI & Pimped Node2, my BI DAC was used for all a/b comparisons
Node > BI = Chord Shawline Coax.
ZenITH > BI = Chord Epic usb.
No Mutec this time.
Went into this audition with a different mindset having seen I wasn't going to get that smack in the mouth difference I've heard when upgrading analogue.
The basis I worked on this time was:
1. Does it deliver better SQ than the Pimped Node2/SBooster/Ultra mk2 combo.
2. Is the SQ uplift on par with spending similar ££s on a cartridge Change.
3. Does it have value added features I would use, to rebalanced the cost Vs performance equation.
Both the Node and ZenITH were hardwired to the dealers network, I then spent 20 mins dialling myself into the demo room kit via the Node & BI. I'd also compiled a 10 track Qobuz playlist to keep music choices simple initially.
Let battle commence! Things were very interesting right from the start, it was evident straight away that the ZenITH was giving me even more of what I'd heard with the dCS, being tighter, sweeter and more cohesive. I would say in general terms the sound was clean and smooth with great timbre. Switching back to the Node the sound came over as a tad crude by comparison, there wasn't the same level of extension in the lf & hf or separation within a piece. Putting on the track In a state (Unkle, Never, Never Land) when the music got busy it seemed to knot together on the Node, whereas the ZenITH just relaxed and untangled the mix so you could appreciate what was happening. I spent around another 20 minutes swapping devices/tracks then gave up, switched to the ZenITH, unplugged and packed away the Node. I then spent another hour listening to allsorts of stuff whilst haggling with John (the dealer), and ended up with a great price. I didn't commit at the end of the demo even though I knew I'd buy it, and I think John did too, but I didn't want to make his life that easy.
Rang this morning and asked when he gonna deliver it, (well he's only 20 mins away) should have it with me in a few hours.
To answer how it matched my 3 decision criteria.
1. Does it deliver better SQ than the Pimped Node2/SBooster/Ultra mk2 combo. YES, cleaner, smoother, tighter, more extended & detailed.
2. Is the SQ uplift on par with spending similar ££s on a cartridge Change. YES definitely.
3. Does it have value added features I would use. YES > Ripper + Storage & Slick Roon-like App that's intuitive and a joy to use.
Now I need to sort selling the Node, Mutec (no USB out, so 24/96 cap on BI gets reinstated) and a couple of 4 month old Shawline Coax.