REVIEW

means for anyone lacking available Ethernet connections you can simply daisy chain another device off the Pulse (such as in my case my Hegel 190 amplifier/streaming DAC).

Digital-wise we have 1 each of optical, coaxial and AES/EBU, plus 4 USB 3.0 ports for output to a suitable DAC and potentially for backing up – but 4 does seem overkill and this may simply be a legacy hangover from the other models. Coax, AES/EBU and Optical offer up to 24/192 resolution while USB hits an impressive 32bit/786Khz for PCM and up to DSD512 Native where a capable DAC is involved (as well as DoP where needed). MQA is also fully catered for with the Pulse able to fully decode and playback MQA files to a non MQA DAC up to 24bit/96khz, or do initial decoding up to 24bit/348hkz for DACS that handle MQA or even just act as passthrough for DACs who can do the full decoding themselves - so great flexibility is on offer with the Pulse!

The Pulse sits on 3 asymmetrically positioned feet designed, say Innuos, to not only support the structure but also provide damping in particular areas. Weight-wise it feels substantial at 4.5kg and is about 2/3 the footprint of typical racked components. Visually for me its sleek and modern looking on the rack but if you want album art or touchscreen you will need to keep looking to perhaps Auralic or Cocktail Audio. Out of the box users have a choice of services across Qobuz, Tidal and Internet radio stations including the popular Radio Paradise plus, since their latest update, HighResAudio.

While neither Wi-Fi nor Bluetooth are supported out of the box, you can if desired dig into the InnuOS (based in part on Logitech LMS) via the web for extended tweakery including adding 3rd party plugins and extra services (Airplay for example) but this is usually at user’s risk. I did add Airplay this way and if you follow Innuos detailed knowledge base articles it’s easy – and works.

I already mentioned the removal of CD drive from the Pulse range and the second development to be included in the Pulse is the integration of not only their standard medical grade IEC but also their newly upgraded linear power supply in conjunction with Dr Sean Jacobs who apart from being a kindred spirit to me as a serious mountain climber, is CEO and leader at the company Custom HiFi Cables. Dr Jacobs is a PhD in Mechanical and Electrical Engi- neering who then went on to specialise in analogue signalling in robotics and has been designing and making PSUs for years, so I presume knows a thing or two about them. This Pulse design implemented with his team employs not only a resin damped audio grade toroidal transformer, with further copper and mylar tape screening around the windings but has (according to specs) more than 40000 µF of quality Mundorf capacitors complemented with an inductor from Coilcraft who, if you are not familiar with them, specialise in magnetically shielded inductors to minimize EMI and remove noise in power supplies. It was the inclusion of this intensely designed and integrated linear PSU at this price point that really drew me to the Pulse as I have a strong belief that clean power plays a big part in a server/streamer’s playback capability. The vibrant upgraded PSU market suggests many others do as well. The CPU in the Pulse is an Intel Quad core N4200 processor and there is a meaty 8GB of RAM with 50% of that dedicated to handling the streaming and library management.

Listening To The Innuos Pulse

Before we get into sound, I want to discuss the two key modes of operation on the Pulse. By going into the Innuos Sense app (available on iOS, Android, Kindle Fire) or by accessing the Pulse via the web (MacOS, iOS and Windows) you can instruct the Pulse to act in either Standalone or Endpoint mode, each offering a different approach to use.

Endpoint mode allows you to use an existing controller such as Roon, HQPlayer or Logitech LMS and have the Pulse as the “last mile” and streaming the content to your DAC, whereas in Standalone mode the Pulse is the core of the system acting as controller and server as well as streamer. This is something users will experiment with to decide their personal preference and it does offer a lot of flexibility, plus some backwards compatibility with existing systems. In Standalone mode it also allows the Pulse to be a UPNP/DNLA controller so, for example, I can assign my Hegel 190 or even my dining room Sonos speakers or LG TV as streaming endpoints and run it all from the Innuos Sense app. Various UPNP profiles are offered in the app as needed and it worked for me without any problems.