Feel the presence of your music
The digital source has become a known sight on Hi-Fi systems for its convenience. Almost all 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 ZENith Next-Gen takes our innovations such as the PreciseAudio mainboard, NGaN regulator and AudioCore technology to new heights compared to the ZEN Next-Gen. First, the ARC6 NGaN Power Supply, trickled-down from the power supply of the acclaimed STATEMENT Next-Gen with its Active Rectification, 300VA Audio Grade Transformer, high-performance choke and 130000uF of Mundorf capacitors, provide all the current the system needs with very low impedance so that no transient is missed.
The ZENith Next-Gen upgrades the ZEN Next-Gen with a Core i7 Embedded processor with 8 performance cores, providing further core separation for AudioCore whilst maintaining excellent overall performance for a responsive system at all times.
The ZENith Next-Gen also features a pSLC (pseudo Single-Level Cell) industrial-grade SSD for the OS, powered independently, is added directly to the PreciseAudio board. As pSLC contains simplified controllers, they generate much less EMI compared to standard SSDs. Being the OS SSD that bears most of the system work, this results in a considerably lower operating noise with direct impact on sound quality.
This combination brings a new dimension to the ZENith Next-Gen. It's no longer about the frequencies, pace or even the size of the soundstage. Details in music now emerge as if by revelation. The breathiness of a voice, the vibrations on a drum's skin, the presence of fingers sliding down a guitar neck. They are presented with a transparency that starts feeling like a live presence.
It's hard to put into words but if you listen, you'll know.
"On the performance ladder it sits as high as the STATEMENT Next-Gen yet boasts even fancier exterior, takes less shelf space, is as polished on UI/UX and priced accordingly to what it does and how."
Dawid Grzyb, Hi-Fi Knights
Main Features
Innuos ARC6 NGaN PSU
Combining the trickled-down version of the ARC6 Active Rectification board with a 300VA Audio Grade Transformer, high-performance choke and over 130000uF of Mundorf capacitors with the cutting-edge Gallium Nitride Innuos NGaN Regulation stage results in a marked improvement in sound transparency and realism compared to the ZEN Next-Gen.
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 i7 with 8 physical cores for enhanced Innuos AudioCore performance, 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 ZENith 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 ZENith Next-Gen as a premium streamer through an optional Digital Audio Output slot for different modules such as PhoenixUSB, PhoenixI2S, or SPDIF boards.
pSLC OS SSD
Superior industrial-grade pSLC SSD for the OS for even lower operating noise, independently powered and with power-loss protection for extra resiliency and durability.
Innuos XSM
High Performance Expandable Storage Management System (XSM) allows a single pool of storage from multiple drives. The ZENith 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 toroidal 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.
Black and Silver
EUR €
| No Storage No Modular Output Board |
€ 17 300 |
GBP £
| No Storage No Modular Output Board |
£ 16 400 |
USD $
| No Storage No Modular Output Board |
$ 24 100 |
CAD $
| No Storage No Modular Output Board |
$ 29 400 |
(additional cost and also available for separate purchase)
EUR €
| 2TB SSD (Internal Storage) | + € 800 |
| 4TB SSD (Internal Storage) | + € 1 400 |
| 8TB SSD (Internal Storage) | + € 2 500 |
| 16TB SSD (8TB Internal + 8TB External Storage) | + € 5 000 |
GBP £
| 2TB SSD (Internal Storage) | + £ 770 |
| 4TB SSD (Internal Storage) | + £ 1 350 |
| 8TB SSD (Internal Storage) | + £ 2 350 |
| 16TB SSD (8TB Internal + 8TB External Storage) | + £ 4 700 |
USD $
| 2TB SSD (Internal Storage) | + $ 1 100 |
| 4TB SSD (Internal Storage) | + $ 1 900 |
| 8TB SSD (Internal Storage) | + $ 3 400 |
| 16TB SSD (8TB Internal + 8TB External Storage) | + $ 6 800 |
CAD $
| 2TB SSD (Internal Storage) | + $ 1 380 |
| 4TB SSD (Internal Storage) | + $ 2 400 |
| 8TB SSD (Internal Storage) | + $ 4 150 |
| 16TB SSD (8TB Internal + 8TB External Storage) | + $ 8 300 |
(additional cost and also available for separate purchase)
EUR €
| SPDIF Board | + € 700 |
| PhoenixUSB Board | + € 1 400 |
| PhoenixI2S Board | + € 1 800 |
GBP £
| SPDIF Board | + £ 680 |
| PhoenixUSB Board | + £ 1 300 |
| PhoenixI2S Board | + £ 1 650 |
USD $
| SPDIF Board | + $ 960 |
| PhoenixUSB Board | + $ 1 950 |
| PhoenixI2S Board | + $ 2 400 |
CAD $
| SPDIF Board | + $ 1 170 |
| PhoenixUSB Board | + $ 2 400 |
| PhoenixI2S Board | + $ 2 980 |
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
Sense, developed entirely in-house by Innuos, is the intuitive control centre for your entire digital music collection, bringing streaming services and local music into one seamless experience:
- The Home For All Your Digital Music. Sense brings streaming services and locally stored music together in a single library, with deep metadata and intelligent organisation — including comprehensive support for Classical music.
- Complete Library Control. Sense supports integrated storage and NAS functionality, CD ripping, UPnP serving, file importing, editing, backup and library management — giving you complete control of your music from source to archive.
- Pure Digital Playback Designed in unison with our hardware, Sense is built around a purist approach to digital playback to achieve the best possible sound quality.
- Listen Your Way. Sense allows effortless control of your library with further access to your favourite music through TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2, plus support for Roon and HQPlayer too.
Specifications
AUDIO OUTPUTS
| Digital Output | 3 x USB 3.2 Gen2 (Up to 32bit/768KHz, Up to DSD256 via DoP, Up to DSD512 via Native DSD) |
| Optional Digital Output Modules | SPDIF Board Adds 1 x AES, 1 x Coaxial, 1 x Optical (Up to 24bit/192KHz PCM) PhoenixUSB Lite Board Adds 1 x Reclocked USB 2.0 Output (Up to 32bit/768KHz PCM, Up to DSD256 via DoP, Up to DSD512 via Native DSD) PhoenixI2S Lite Board (Up to 32bit/768KHz PCM, Full DSD support up to Native DSD1024) |
CONNECTIVITY
| Ethernet | 2 x LAN RJ45 Bridged Gigabit Ethernet (LAN, Streamer) |
| USB | 3 x USB 3.2 Gen2 (Backup/Import, Aux, DAC) |
| Chassis Ground | 4mm ‘Speaker plug’ port |
FORMATS
| Ripping | External USB-connected CD ripper required |
| CD Formats | Red Book |
| Disc Compatibility | CD, CD-R, CD-RW |
| CD Ripper Formats | FLAC (compression level 0), WAV |
| Playback Audio Formats | WAC, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, MP3, MQA External USB-connected CD ripper required |
SAMPLE RATES
| Sample Rates | 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 768kHz, DSD over PCM (DoP) up to DSD256, Native DSD up to DSD512 (on selected DACs) |
| Bit Depths | 16bit, 24bit, 32bit |
USER CONTROL INTERFACES
| Web Interface | Modern Web Browsers from iOS, Android, Windows and OS X |
| Mobile | Innuos Sense App for iOS/Android/Kindle Fire |
HARDWARE
| Storage | 1 x pSLC SSD for OS [Optional] 1 x PCI-E NVme SSD – 2TB / 4TB / 8TB (Factory fitted) [Optional] 1 x m.2 NVme SSD (User or factory fitted) |
| CPU | Intel Core i7: 8 x Physical Cores |
| Memory | 16GB DDR4 Industrial-Grade RAM |
STREAMING AND CD STORAGE
| UPnP/DLNA | AssetUPnP |
| Streaming Services | Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer, HighResAudio, Internet Radio |
| Average CD Storage Time | 5 Minutes |
| CD Metadata | FreeDB, Musicbrainz, Discogs, GD3 |
| Compatible Music Systems | Sonos Multi-room Wireless Music System |
| DLNA/UPnP Compatible Devices | |
| USB DACs complying to USB Audio Class 2 | |
| Selected USB DACs supporting Native DSD | |
REQUIREMENTS
| Network | Internet connection required for metadata lookup, streaming services and software updates. |
| Network access via Ethernet | |
| Premium subscription required for streaming services such as Qobuz, Tidal etc. |
POWER
| Mains Supply | 230V AC / 115V AC (Switchable) |
PHYSICAL
| Dimensions | 420mm x 365mm x 105mm (W x D x H) |
| Weight | 14,3 kg |
| In the box | Innuos ZENith Next-Gen |
| Mains Cable | |
| 2m Ethernet Cable | |
| Quick Start Guide |
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
File Formats
Sample Rates
Connectivity
Streaming Sources
CD Ripping
Control Software & Integrations
Power
230V AC / 115V AC
Dimensions
Contents
Reviews and Awards
Recommended Components - 2026 Fall Edition
Stereophile
Buyer's Guide Summer 2026
Part-Time Audiophile
Editor's Choice 2026
Hi-Fi +
Recommended Components - 2026 Edition
Stereophile
Innuos ZENith Next-Gen Server/Streamer
``Quite simply, I knew the Innuos ZENith Next-Gen would deliver the goods. It’s the first server that convinced me that I needed a server, that I’m ready for a server, and that I will love playing music from it for many years to come without regret. If that’s not a recommendation, I don’t know what is.``
Marc Phillips, Part-Time Audiophile
2025's Best Digital Audio - Buyers Guide 2025
Part-Time Audiophile
Winner of the Year 2026 in the Server under £15K category
Hi-Fi +
Recommended Components - 2026 Edition
Stereophile
New peaks
``The absolute blackness of the background ensures that even the smallest sound sprinkles stand out clearly, a transparent, transparent stage is offered – and the music as a whole is very free and grippy in the room, nothing sticks to the speakers. If you get your ``audiophile kick`` primarily from the spatial representation of music – this is your music server.”
Ralph Werner, Fairaudio
Innuos ZENith Next-Gen
``The Innuos ZENith Next-Gen is one of the finest servers I have heard to date (...) The Next-Gen servers are about as near to an off-the-shelf PC as a Formula 1 car is to a shopping trolley``
Alan Sircom, Hi-Fi + Issue 247
Innuos ZENith Next-Gen
``On the performance ladder it sits as high as the STATEMENT Next-Gen yet boasts even fancier exterior, takes less shelf space, is as polished on UI/UX and priced accordingly to what it does and how.``
Dawid Grzyb, Hi-Fi Knights
Innuos ZENith Next-Gen
``It's hard to imagine the music being any crisper, any clearer - until you hear it crisper and clearer``
Jim Austin, Stereophile
Innuos ZENith Next-Gen music server + streamer
“The piano treble is crystal clear and the bass with full body, ZENith Next-Gen can really reproduce the grand piano cavity”
Patrick Lee, Hifi388 (Hong Kong)
‘My Favorite Music Server’ award by the Hi-Fi Circle and Hi-Fi388
Innuos ZENith Next-Gen
``The best streaming platform I ever auditioned, abundant details with musicality.``
Zhehong Lin, Audionet (Taiwan)
Innuos ZENith Next-Gen
“The contrast is impeccable between exquisite, nuanced details and grandiose impact. Whether the music is high or low, it is all well controlled and expressed to the fullest.”
Chung Kai Yuen George, Audiotechnique (Hong Kong)
Gold Prestige Trophy 2024 to the Innuos ZENith Next-Gen
Super AV Award
