Innuos PhoenixUSB

[nvitorino]

41 minutes ago, ASRMichael said:

This is the question for me!! as I ponder......

 

Options

 

Pink Faun USB + Ultra OCXO + SJ - DC3

 

Or

 

Innuos phoenix (Effectively same PSU as SJ DC3) + need to buy another USB cable

 

Both options similarly priced... So I keep pondering......

Hi everyone,

 

Just a very quick remark as I keep seeing online that the LPSU on the Phoenix/Statement is the same as the DC3. This is not the case. Not only the components are different, the design is also different, especially the one on the PhoenixUSB. The current used there is low so the LPSU design is optimized for that - this a new design from Sean. All LPSUs designed by Sean on our systems are designed in collaboration with Innuos and does include design tweaks. Also do bear in mind that there are 2 LPSUs on the PhoenixUSB - One exclusively for the OCXO oscillator and one for the USB board, which is then further regulated with 3x LT3045 for independent voltages to the USB chip.

 

In the end, best thing is to actually have a listen and check what sounds best to you...

 

Decisions, decisions... 🙂

[nvitorino]

On 11/2/2019 at 1:21 AM, seeteeyou said:

Statement's USB board is connected to one of those USB headers on the motherboard, therefore the performance might somewhat depend on the quality of a few "unremarkable" wires going between both ends. It's also placed fairly close to the motherboard inside the same chassis, not physically isolated from each other and therefore such proximity could be both a blessing and a curse.

 

In Phoenix's case, we could actually enjoy more flexibility since we're given the opportunity to introduce two USB cables. Interesting options are available for the connection between Phoenix and the source components, relatively expensive USB extenders could be found below and we'll be able to take advantage of fiber optic connections that are similar to what AudioWise OPTO•DX could offer

 

https://www.icronshop.com/usb-extenders

http://www.icron.com/products/icron-brand/usb-extenders/fiber/usb-2-0-ranger-2324/

http://www.icron.com/products/icron-brand/usb-extenders/fiber/usb-2-0-ranger-2344/

 

Of course it's a pain to power its 24V DC input since Poweradd PP2 could only go up to 20V, and then we'll also need to add one more USB cable.

 

Recently this optical USB cable (designed for audiophiles) from China was released and the price is starting at 200 bucks for 1M

 

https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=605879469650

 

Not adding too much to the cost of acquiring the Phoenix while providing quite a bit of isolation, not a bad choice if we weren't in the mood for getting another pricey USB cable. They're already selling their HDMI cables on Amazon so keep an eye on that new product in the future

 

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=FIBBR

 

It's a lotta cash to add this in front of Phoenix but powering Pink Faun USB bridge + Ultra OCXO option with Dr. Sean Jacobs' DC3 might push the envelop even further

 

https://www.pinkfaun.com/shop/sheets/PinkFaunUltra25MHz.pdf

https://www.pinkfaun.com/shop/bridge/44-2915-usb-bridge.html#/193-additional_clock_for_bridge-ultra_ocxo/195-bracket_height-792_mm_3118_inch

 

Regarding optical USB connections, you need to take into consideration how noisy is the process of turning the light into an electrical signal. Whilst we haven't done scientific tests, whenever we tried USB optical isolators between a Statement and a DAC, we consistently obtained worse sound quality. You will need to compare the noise floor of the source to the optical transceiver itself and check which is lower to verify if you will get a net benefit of using optical isolation or not.

[nvitorino]

19 hours ago, thyname said:

There are reports in other sites that Phoenix USB is being shipped. One buyer in Germany received it two days ago. A US based dealer said his units are shipped and en route to California 

 

It's been one busy Christmas Season.Yes, indeed we have shipped our first batch of PhoenixUSB around the world. More will go as wen go through the backorders.

 

With regards to time to fulfill and company history from Dr. Sean Jacobs:

 

1. What took the longest to get done was... packaging! (With chassis a close second)

2. Sean does not produce the power supplies, he just designs them. We produce all power supplies on our premises in Portugal. We have 4 people for this, it's definitely not something a single person would be able to do.

 

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy 2020!

[nvitorino]

17 minutes ago, BigAlMc said:

 

Hi Nuno / @nvitorino,

 

Hope you are well.

 

Can you advise on the above please? Does the Phoenix contain a replaceable fuse and if so what are the details?

 

Many Thanks,

Alan

 

Hi,

 

You can use on the Phoenix the same fuse as the SE. The Phoenix consumes a lot less current than the SE so let us know the results when you try it.

[nvitorino]

15 hours ago, tgb said:

Hi,

on all pictures of inside the Phoenix box there is a sticker on the clock...

Could someone take off this bloody sticker to know the reference of this OCXO ? :-)

Thks. Rgds.

 

It's not a sticker - it's EMI absorbing paper...

 

The OCXO is the Connor-Winfield OH200-50605CF. But again, the clock alone will not do much for you... It may or may not work well for you depending on the design you are doing.

[nvitorino]

3 hours ago, Koso said:

Phoenix USB arrived today. Starting burn in. Will report my findings after one - two weeks. Also will do the comparison with another reclockers (Ideon 3R Master time and Denafrips Gaia). Stay tuned.

 

Hi Koso,

 

Thank you for getting one of our PhoenixUSB reclockers. However, the PhoenixUSB is a bit different to the Denafrips Gaia. The Gaia is a DDC converting USB to other outputs. It works at the audio signal. The PhoenixUSB does not work at the audio signal level but rather at the USB protocol level. In fact, you can use the PhoenixUSB between your source and the Gaia and this should provide you with improved sound quality than the Gaia alone. Try both ways and let us know what you prefer.

 

Best,

 

Nuno