Innuos PhoenixUSB

[BigAlMc]

I'm a bit surprised that the Phoenix isn't getting more attention. Wondering if @austinpop terrific and detailed (as ever Rajiv) review will kickstart more of a conversation around it.

 

When I think about how much enthusiastic chat there was around the ISO Regen and the TX-USBUltra, I expected to see a lot more around the Phoenix. Yeah the price is high but not that high once you factor in PSUs, clocking etc.

 

Are we bored with USB Reclocking? Or anyone got any experience to share with the Phoenix?

 

Cheers,

Alan

 

PS Rajivs review is here if anyone missed it:

 

 

[BigAlMc]

6 minutes ago, matthias said:

 

This one, I simply dislike reclockers.

 

Matt

 

 

Mixed signals matey. You know, given the title of this thread 😉

[BigAlMc]

19 hours ago, FrankMA said:

After burning in for 48 hours here are my initial impressions:

• Larger and deeper soundstage
• A few levels of high frequency glare removed
• while at the same time adding a shimmer. In a good way. Really notice the delicacy/accuracy of the cymbals

 

Hey Frank,

 

Congrats on your purchase.

 

Am reading with interest as our systems are similar (as we've discussed before) in terms of SE to Directstream  Sr. (Ignore my signature, it needs updated).

 

Am seriously tempted by the Phoenix too.

 

Can I just check. The SQ differences you described are SE + TX vs SE + Phoenix?

 

i.e. you didn't mean SE vs SE + Phoenix?

 

Cheers,

Alan

 

[BigAlMc]

1 hour ago, FrankMA said:

Hi Al - hope all is well. I was comparing :

 

Current setup: EtherRegen (stock PS) B Side > Innuos MKII SE > Phasure Lush I > Tx/LPS1.2 > Phasure Lush II > PSA DS Sr

New: EtherRegen (stock PS) B Side > Innuos MKII SE > Phasure Lush I >Phoenix USB > Phasure Lush II > PSA DS Sr

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Frank,

 

That's what I hoped and what my wallet feared 😉

 

I'm all good thanks mate. Hope all's well with you.

 

Looking forward to your impressions after more burn-in time.

 

Cheers,

Alan

[BigAlMc]

The SE was simply a "Special Edition" of the Zenith line. But the demand and acclaim it got pleasantly surprised Innuos who went on to work on the Statement.

 

Personally, I think they should consider doing more SE units. But given some of the functionality that went into the SE has trickled down into the MKIII making the MKIII closer to the SE I can see the logic for not.

 

Likewise there is the Phoenix that takes the SE or MKII/MKIII closer to the Statement.

 

So from a hardware perspective I think that Innuos have offered a reasonable range of options. You're struggling to buy a pre-loved SE but that's not surprising given there are only 100 of them out in the world.

 

I think the comment about no upgrades for the SE referred to hardware upgrades. Not that surprising given the Phoenix is essentially just that.

 

The SE meanwhile should continue to receive software upgrades the same way the MKII, MKIIIs, Statements and Zen Minis will.

 

FWIW I think a MKIII should comfortably beat an UltraRendu or SOtM sMS Ultra. But that stuff can be system dependant.

 

Cheers,

Alan

[BigAlMc]

On 6/14/2020 at 12:10 PM, FrankMA said:

Either way the Phoenix blows away the tX/Uptone combo

 

Trigger pulled 😀

 

Looking forward to hearing this bad boy myself.

 

[BigAlMc]

In da house!

 

(Disgracefully on the floor 😬wedged in beside a seldom used PS4. I know its a travesty but UPS arrived, I was excited 😃but I was really busy with work 😑. Rearranging the rack is a weekend task.)

 

Initial out the box listening impressions are something like more sparkle and energy. Dunno, its been a long day/week. But there's an energy I really like. 3 hours burn in tho.

 

Cheers,

Alan

 

[BigAlMc]

1 minute ago, Tait said:

Enjoy the music!

 

Thanks,

 

Doing so right now. With a well deserved cold beer. 

 

Cheers,

Alan

[BigAlMc]

So, my Phoenix arrived last Friday afternoon and obviously I plugged it right in 😎

 

Figure that's 190 hours of burn in so as planned did some stretches, limbered up and got ready for some pain crawling behind the rack.

 

Played Bruce Hornsby's That's Just the Way It Is as love the pianos for evaluating whether changes/tweaks sound better or worse.

 

Test one 

Removed the Sablon 2020 from the Phoenix and plugged it into the Zenith.

 

So Zenith>2020>Directstream

 

Pressed play and oh no! Immediately it was much flatter and just a bit dull. Managed 30 seconds and couldn't listen any more. The magic was gone.

 

Test two

Plugged the Sablon 2020 in the TX-USBUltra. And Sablon Reserva USB from Zenith into TX. 

 

So Zenith>Reserva>TX-USB-Ultra (powered by SPS-500)>2020>Directstream

 

Pressed play and better. A nice texture added to the very rounded sound of the SE direct. But not the same magic as the Phoenix.

 

Test three

 

Connected the two USB cables to Phoenix rather than the TX.

 

So Zenith>Reserva>Phoenix>2020>Directstream

 

Pressed play and yeah that's the stuff 😃

 

The same sense of more texture that the TX added but now also a sparkle or energy (not sure how best to describe it) but something magical going on.

 

Repeated all three configs with a second track and same results. The Phoenix is amazing. But it's rendered my Zenith SE unlistenable without it. And that's the fecking SE for chrissakes!! 

 

I wondered if the TX with a better PSU, like a DC3 or SR7 would have been a fairer fight. Never really rated the SPS-500. Also perhaps if the TX had been modded with the EVOX caps and silver wiring. But regardless I heard enough. The Phoenix is staying. TBH I knew that when I plugged it in last Friday as the impact was immediate. And the TX will be sold.

 

If you are a Zenith owner or have a USB server and are considering the Phoenix then I'd highly recommend it. For £2k that is an astounding increase in SQ. And the SE was no slouch to start with.

 

Cheers,

Alan

[BigAlMc]

Hi @ConcreteCow,

 

I'd agree with Kenny. Think you need to try each combo and see what you like more.

 

Never heard the Coffee myself but it has a good reputation. That said many people are describing the Sablon 2020 as a giant killer.

 

FWIW I also have a Lush on hand and plan on trying it with the Sablon 2020 to see if I can get a best of both worlds blend of the 2020s open, details and the Lush's texture and musicality.

 

Be interested to hear how you get on.

 

Cheers,

Alan

[BigAlMc]

35 minutes ago, ConcreteCow said:

But that Lush USB! It's apparently a 'tuneable' USB!

 

Yeah, the Lush^2 is a real brain scrambler in terms of the differences a cable can make, and the differences the SAME cable can make 🙃

[BigAlMc]

6 hours ago, kennyb123 said:

The Lush 2 is a great value at that price.  I thought it was pretty much equal to a Shunyata Alpha that I used to own.  The friend who owned the Lush 2 agreed.

 

I tend to agree. If you are seeing the Sablon as 'endgame' the go for the much more reasonably priced Lush 2. Many people have raved about it, And see if you can pick up a Sablon on the preowned market down the line.

 

14 hours ago, ConcreteCow said:

Please let us know of the Lush ^2 with the Phoenix. This will be of great interest.

 

I can post my thoughts when I get around to trying it but unlikely to be before this weekend. Also mine would be a comparison to the Sablon.

 

@FrankMA aren't you using the Lush 2 with your Phoenix? Any observations on how they pair?

 

Cheers,

Alan

[BigAlMc]

Thanks Frank,

 

Yeah I know you and I have discussed the Lush^2 in the past and we're both big fans of Peter's (Phasure's) work.

 

Cheers,

Alan

[BigAlMc]

Hi ConcreteCow,

 

We've gone a bit off-topic on this thread as supposed to be about the Phoenix but last few posts all around USB cables.

 

This question probably belongs on this thread:

 

Meantime I'll PM you my Lush^2 config as I have photos to hand as shared recently.

 

Thanks,

Alan

 

[BigAlMc]

12 minutes ago, yellowblue said:

Got my Phoenix today. And it clearly adds some magic. I got the same feeling as when I added the MScaler to the DAVE. Difficult to describe the sound. Maybe my recordings sound more "binaural". I am diving deeper into the music. Everything opens up a lot more. Out of the box without any burn in. Working fine with my two Lush^2.

Edgerouter > Sablon > Ether Regen> Sablon > Zenith 2 SE > Lush^2 > Phoenix > Lush^2 > MScaler > Sablon BNC > DAVE > Verite, Hifiman 1000SE, Omega Alnico

 

Hey Ralf,

 

Hope you're well.

 

Delighted to be on the same leg of the journey with you again 😁

 

Totally agree. The Phoenix is special but it's hard to describe exactly what it contributes. Magic is a decent term.

 

Meantime at the very real risk of going OT. How are the Sablon BNCs in your signature? I currently have Cerious technologies graphene XLRs but removed my PreAmp. And am now going DAC direct to Power amps and am looking suspiciously at my XLRs and wondering about the Phasure XLRs, the Sablons or ??

 

Will look forward to your listening impressions after the Phoenix has settled in.

 

Cheers,

Alan

[BigAlMc]

6 hours ago, austinpop said:

 

 

Hey Alan,

 

Going even further OT — I didn't put this in my review, but I had the Phoenix when I was transitioning from Lush^2 to Sablon 2020 USB, so I did compare:

• SE > Lush^2 > Phoenix > Lush^2 > HMS ... with
• SE > Sablon 2020 USB > Phoenix > Sablon 2020 USB > HMS.

Much as I love the Lush^2, there is indeed a "next level" for USB cables, and the Sablon 2020 is my favorite.

 

I know how eager you are to spend even more ££ on cables. 😎

 

Hi Rajiv,

 

Since we're all OT 🙄

 

Yeah I already bought a Sablon 2020 thanks/curses to Ray/Roy/yourself 😉

 and your comments over at WBF.

 

I don't suppose you tried:

 

SE > Lush^2 > Phoenix > 2020 > HMS ?

 

I'm wondering whether its possible to get best of both worlds and blend the musicality/smear of Peter's Lush with the transparency/detail of Mark's Sablon 2020. Obviously it's possible to blend but does it blend well or defeat the purpose. Planning to try this myself but just wondering if you tinkered with the same?

 

Meantime @yellowblue Sablon BNC caught my eyes as not many reports out there on Sablon cables other than USB, LAN or power 🔌 cords.

 

And funnily enough someone else on here got me thinking in a PM by saying Peters XLR^2 is "his best cable yet"

 

Cheers,

Alan

[BigAlMc]

1 hour ago, TheAttorney said:

So 2020 did pair well with Lush^2, but a 2nd 2020 was better still.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

 

I might try anyway because I'd really be comparing the Sablon Reserva that currently feeds my Phoenix with the Lush^2. So perhaps a fairer fight or at least closer.

 

Not really thinking of a second USB 2020 at this point but not foolish enough to rule it out either 😎

 

Mark Coles was telling me that the 2020 LAN cable is really something too. More tempted there currently (rightly or wrongly) than a second USB 2020.

 

1 hour ago, TheAttorney said:

I've found a UK dealer that stocks Innuous, Taiko and Grimm. So I should be able to compare the Mini vs Statement vs MU1 to find my preferred super server. And then compare that to the much cheaper solution of just getting the Phoenix. My overall objective is to KISS and Ditch-The-Spaghetti, so ultimate SQ is not the only consideration, so it will be interesting to see how this all turns out.

 

Sounds like a great mission and comparison to undertake. Will be fascinated to hear how that plays out. Quite a line up or should that be supergroup of servers. You should make the Travelling Wilburys part of your test tracks 😉

 

Cheers,

Alan

[BigAlMc]

6 minutes ago, yellowblue said:

I only could compare these to the Oyaide-cables I had before (with ferrites). And they are better by quiete a big margin. Not dark sounding (I found the Wave cables too expensive and didn´t want my chain to sound darker). Sorry, this comparison might not help you. 

 

Thanks,

 

Yeah understood. And also at the end of the day I was asking about BNCs to try and assess XLRs. Not exactly a reasonable quest to start with.

 

I'm tempted by both Phasure and Sablon for the XLRs but loads of people know their respective USB cables, but not so much the others such as XLRs. Either need to make an educated guess or just park it as not convinced there is anything whatsoever lacking in my current XLRs. Just that dreaded what-if question 🙄

 

Appreciate your feedback.

 

Cheers,

Alan

[BigAlMc]

15 hours ago, Vangelis said:

Not sure if this is the correct venue for this question, but this is probably close.

 

ReClockers do not affect volume. I see you got a far more accommodating reply but no, it probably wasn't close.

[BigAlMc]

Does the Phoenix contain a replaceable fuse and has anyone tried replacing it with the SR Orange for example?

 

If so then what size and amperage fuse do you need. The SR website contains a mind boggling list of types!!

 

Same question for the Zenith / SE. I know you can replace the fuse there but what size/type?

 

Happy Saturday All 😎

 

Cheers,

Alan

[BigAlMc]

Thanks Frank

[BigAlMc]

On 8/1/2020 at 11:56 AM, BigAlMc said:

Does the Phoenix contain a replaceable fuse and has anyone tried replacing it with the SR Orange for example?

 

If so then what size and amperage fuse do you need. The SR website contains a mind boggling list of types!!

 

 

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

 

[BigAlMc]

4 minutes ago, nvitorino said:

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.

 

Thanks Nuno,

 

Much appreciated.

 

Regards,

Alan

[BigAlMc]

https://audiobacon.net/2020/09/08/innuos-phoenix-usb-reclocker-review/amp/

 

 

I was beginning to worry about Jay as he hadn't posted anything interesting (to me at least) for a while.

 

He's back 😃

 

"It becomes clear that this component is more of a necessity than an accessory. "

[BigAlMc]

17 hours ago, kennyb123 said:

kinda wish you hadn’t shared that

 

You're most welcome Ken 😁