Innuos ZEN Next-Gen

A revelation in sound, performance, and flexibility

The digital source has become a known sight on Hi-Fi systems for its convenience. Almost all the music can now be accessible at the touch of a button. But playing sound is one thing and playing music is another. To get the true essence of the recording, your digital signal must be as pristine and well-timed as possible so your DAC can play at its best. Feed it with a noisy signal and that will just be amplified along the chain.

A pristine digital signal requires a dedicated digital source, with meticulous detail starting from the ultra-low noise power supplies, through a custom mainboard and all the way to specific software development minimizing power noise during operation.

The ZEN Next-Gen is the first model within the ZEN Series to include both new and trickled-down NG technology developments: our new cutting-edge Gallium Nitride regulated NGaN RECAP2 PSU, the new PreciseAudio custom mainboard, Sense 3 with real-time kernel together 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. Connect the ZEN Next-Gen to your DAC and be amazed at the difference.

A new modular approach for storage and audio connectivity options creates a hugely versatile device; use just as a streamer with no on-board storage at all or as a music server with Sense or Roon Core with up to 16TB of seamless storage, whilst maximizing sonic output through your choice of optimal Digital Output Module – all housed in a new premium 10mm CNC-machined aluminium chassis. And if that's not enough, we have designed the ZEN Next-Gen to be upgradeable to a ZENith Next-Gen at any time.

The new ZEN Next-Gen is a revelation in both sound, performance and flexibility. Come and experience it at a dealer near you.

“…where does the ZEN Next-Gen sit outside Innuos-world? This is an easy question to answer because it stands very tall indeed. Like the STATEMENT Next-Gen, it stands above its rivals at its price and continues to do so until you get into the super-high end of music servers. [...] Innuos has hit it out of the park again!"

Alan Sircom, Hi-Fi+

Main Features

Innuos RECAP2 NGaN PSU

New cutting-edge Gallium Nitride power regulation stage to enhance the RECAP2 linear power modules with a tuned switching frequency offering much lower power supply impedance for a more transparent sound with better instrument separation.

Innuos PreciseAudio Mainboard

An all-new custom server-grade mainboard, ultra-tuned for low processor latency, power noise and EMI emissions; further improved by enhanced power regulators and solid capacitors.

High Performance, Low Power

New generation of Intel Core i3 combining 4 physical cores with 4 virtual cores for responsive speeds yet low heat dissipation, enhanced with Innuos AudioCore providing separate cores dedicated only to audio processes. Supported with 16GB of industrial-grade low-noise DDR4 RAM allowing to cache more databases and files for a speedy response.

Modular Architecture

You can configure the ZEN Next-Gen as a Music Server/Streamer, Server-only or Streamer-only easily. Choose to have no internal drives, or up to a maximum of 16TB SSD storage. Leverage the ZEN as a premium streamer through an optional Digital Audio Output slot for different modules such as PhoenixUSB, PhoenixI2S, or SPDIF boards.

Dedicated OS SSD

Dedicated industrial-grade 3D TLC SSD for the OS with power-loss protection to prevent any issues with the system in case of a power cut. Extremely low levels of power consumption, electrical noise and thermal output. 

Innuos XSM

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

Premium Chassis

Newly-designed 10mm thick CNC-machined bead-blasted and anodized aluminium chassis, containing new vibration-dampened transformer platform and with Chassis Ground port connection.

Sense 3

Unique benefits for the ZEN Next-Gen and ZENith Next-Gen through Sense 3, including new Real-Time Kernel, lowering latency even further for the core Operating System, AudioCore for audio process to run in dedicated physical cores, Expandable Storage Management interface, and new CD-ripping via external USB drives with drive-head alignment for accurate ripping.

Upgradeable

The modular construction of the chassis and components means the ZEN Next-Gen can be upgraded to a ZENith Next-Gen in the future for even better sound quality and performance.

Optional pre-installed storage
(additional cost and also available for separate purchase)

Optional pre-installed modular output boards

Optional Digital Output Modules

PhoenixUSB Board

• Regenerated and Reclocked USB signal to your Class 2 USB DAC, greatly increasing sound quality
• High-precision 3ppb 24MHz OCXO clock for greatly improved timing and signal integrity
• Ultra-low noise LT3045 linear regulators for each independent voltage, no switching regulators on main USB chip
• Provides a pristine 5V line for the USB connection on your DAC

PhoenixI2S Board

• Bypass conversion stages with a direct connection straight to your DAC chip
• 3ppb 24Mhz main clock, with two premium FemtoClocks
• HDMI connector with 8 pin-configurations.
• Ensure maximum audio resolution compatibility up to DSD1024

SPDIF Board

• Provide a superior SPDIF Coaxial, Optical and AES outputs for your DAC
• Supports PCM up to 24bit/192KHz
• Optimised power supply for ultra-low noise
• High-Quality Gold-plated Connectors

Controlled via the Innuos Sense App

Navigating your music collection is now more intuitive and responsive, offering a premium experience whether you’re ripping CDs, creating playlists, importing files, or exploring streaming services.

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. TIDAL 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