Innuos Demonstration and “Introduction to Sound”

Versão portuguesa

There’s no denying that many figures in the world of Hi-Fi communication exhibit a certain degree of ‘patriotism,’ often reflected in a preference—whether conscious or instinctive—for equipment simply because it’s manufactured or designed by companies based in their own country

At MoustachesToys, this is not the case. I have previously shared my admiration for Cinnamon Audio’s equipment—not because it is Portuguese, but firstly due to an initial curiosity inspired by its sculptural design, which was later confirmed by the extraordinary sonic richness it delivers.

With Innuos, the situation is much the same: it’s not the fact that it’s a brand from the sunny Algarve that captures my attention, but rather its reputation for reliability, outstanding after-sales service, and the proven ability of its equipments to enhance the performance of the systems where I’ve had the opportunity to hear them in action. This has always been my stance.

Innuos equipment is a common presence in Hi-fi demonstrations I’ve attended. However, until now, the brand had never been in central focus for me. The presentation organized by Exaudio, in Cascais, near Lisbon, where a high-end system featuring TAD equipment took center stage, complemented by the Innuos Statement NG and PhoenixNET was an opportunity to change that.

The System

More Than a Demonstration

Back to Innuos

Regarding the Statement NG, I had to briefly consult international reviews, as the brand’s Senior Brand Image Manager, Nuno Veloso, explained me in an email that no information is provided to national communicators since our market accounts for only 1% of the brand’s sales.

So, According to Jason Victor Serinus (Stereophile, April 2020):

“I thought the Statement offered negligible sonic improvements over playback through my considerably smaller and less expensive Roon Nucleus+ music server/streamer. The InnuOS software was best described as a frustrating work in progress; Innuos Founder Nuno Vitorino told me then that it was about to be “rebuilt from the ground up.” Innuos’s preference for a carefully engineered, reclocked asynchronous USB output was also a cause for concern because, in my experience, USB often sounds inferior to Ethernet, AES3, or S/PDIF.”

Since then, however, Innuos has implemented several significant changes. Once again, according to Stereophile:

• Replacing passive rectification with active rectification.
• Upgrading the reservoir capacitors.
• A new “Adaptive Vibration Control” platform for mounting the capacitor modules.
• new regulator modules using CX architecture
• A new “CPU Booster module” provides “up to 15A current to the CPU.

These improvements are not merely statistics, or young marketeer’s marketing pitches; my listening experiences at events featuring the Statement NG have consistently demonstrated its capacity to significantly enhance system performance.

My Recent Experience

The system, enhanced by the Innuos Statement NG and PhoenixNET, delivered a rich, expansive sound, with a broad soundstage, intricate midrange and bass textures, and highs that helped create a precise, three-dimensional image. Tracks from Santana, Maria Bethânia, and Mariza, among others, were played in a performance that went beyond technical excellence, transforming the event into a truly musical experience.

I only missed a representative from the only Portuguese industrial Hi-Fi brand—another missed opportunity to further strengthen connections with the national audience.