Innuos PhoenixUSB

[Tait]

30 minutes ago, BigAlMc said:

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

 

 

Ha! That feeling of receiving a new toy to play with never goes away!

 

Totally different systems but more sparkle and energy is what I noticed out of the box too.

 

Enjoy the music!

[BigAlMc]

1 minute ago, Tait said:

Enjoy the music!

 

Thanks,

 

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

 

Cheers,

Alan

[elan120]

13 hours ago, BigAlMc said:

Disgracefully on the floor

I have never seen a baseboard this clean behind the rack...very impressive.  Looking forward to more of your listening impressions when you have additional time on this new toy.

[ConcreteCow]

Hello everyone,

 

I've just joined up and I'm following this thread with great interest as I will soon be placing an order for a Pheonix. Please keep the great info and chats coming as I find them of great help and they allow me to understand more fully of all the capabilities that may come my way with the Pheonix. 

 

I'm currently running a Zenith MK3 through a Primaluna EVO 400 Integrated Amp and a Topping D90 MQA DAC. Sound is fed through my Klipsch Forte III's. USB from the Zenith MK3 to the D90 MQA DAC is an Audioquest Coffee. 

 

Looking forward to chatting with you all. 

 

Cheers! 🍻

[Hiker]

59 minutes ago, ConcreteCow said:

Hello everyone,

 

I've just joined up and I'm following this thread with great interest as I will soon be placing an order for a Pheonix. Please keep the great info and chats coming as I find them of great help and they allow me to understand more fully of all the capabilities that may come my way with the Pheonix. 

 

I'm currently running a Zenith MK3 through a Primaluna EVO 400 Integrated Amp and a Topping D90 MQA DAC. Sound is fed through my Klipsch Forte III's. USB from the Zenith MK3 to the D90 MQA DAC is an Audioquest Coffee. 

 

Looking forward to chatting with you all. 

 

Cheers! 🍻

Nice system ConcreteCow , I think your going to like the jump in performance your about to hear .

 

[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

[ConcreteCow]

That's fab Alan! Thank you for sharing that useful comparison and outcome.

I'm now emailing Sablon for availability and price for the 2020 USB in preparation of my Phoenix order.

I've got an Audioquest Coffee USB going from my Zenith MK3 to the D90 MQA DAC.

If I kept it and used the Sablon 2020 to go from the Phoenix to the D90 MQA DAC do you think it would be OK? Or used the other way around?

Cheers!🍻

[kennyb123]

2 hours ago, ConcreteCow said:

 

I've got an Audioquest Coffee USB going from my Zenith MK3 to the D90 MQA DAC.

If I kept it and used the Sablon 2020 to go from the Phoenix to the D90 MQA DAC do you think it would be OK? Or used the other way around?

Cheers!🍻

My dealer suggested best USB after the Phoenix but with the caveat that the USB cable into it still has an impact.  But best to use you ears.  Let us know what you think.

[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

[Abyss Man]

If u can get hold of a Tellurium Silver Diamond USB, give it a shot Alan. I’m using 2 of them on my soTm Trifecta.

[ConcreteCow]

3 hours ago, BigAlMc said:

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

Hi,

Thanks for all your info.

Looking forward to giving this Sablon 2020 a go...... But that Lush USB! It's apparently a 'tuneable' USB! Wow! Going to give this one a thorough read up! 😁

[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 🙃

[ConcreteCow]

Still reading about it and trying to understand if it's the 'way to go'.

 

[ConcreteCow]

4 hours ago, BigAlMc said:

 

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 🙃

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

[yellowblue]

Someone who owns both the Phoenix and DAVE/MScaler? There are people describing the effect of the Phoenix in nearly the same terms as the the MScaler. 

[ConcreteCow]

Narrowing my USB choices down to:

 

Sablon 2020 - seems to be the 'end game' at the moment

Curious Evolved - new version that is getting a great following

Final Touch Audio Callisto - the USB lurking in the background of 'greats'

Wireworld Platinum  Starlight 7 - a firm favourite with many

Phasure Audio Lush 2 - good reviews offering something different and 'tuneable'

 

A good selection that gives me a headache to decide 'which one'!!!

 

 

 

 

 

[kennyb123]

43 minutes ago, ConcreteCow said:

Narrowing my USB choices down to:

 

Sablon 2020 - seems to be the 'end game' at the moment

Curious Evolved - new version that is getting a great following

Final Touch Audio Callisto - the USB lurking in the background of 'greats'

Wireworld Platinum  Starlight 7 - a firm favourite with many

Phasure Audio Lush 2 - good reviews offering something different and 'tuneable'

 

A good selection that gives me a headache to decide 'which one'!!!

 

 

The Shunyata Sigma is the best USB cable I've heard.  Pricey but it's really in another league compared to cables like the Lush 2 and Starlight 7.

 

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.  He and I both switched to the Sigma after we heard it.  

[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

[FrankMA]

Hi Alan

 

I love the Lush 2's paired with the Phoenix. I am really averse to thin or overly bright sounding systems and in this regard the Phasure's fit the bill in my system. In this regard they remind me of AQ cables: Full, musical, balanced. 

Add in the tuning capabilities of the Lush 2 and I think it's a winner

 

Not to say there aren't other great cables out there but I think at this price point the Lush's would be hard to beat

[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

[ConcreteCow]

Lush 2 it is then.

I will read the lengthy thread again to make sure I understand the cable and it's settings. Also noting the Wire settings based on what users hear. This will hopefully give me a 'leg up' when I start to use it. From thereon I can begin to fine tune it in to my system.

I'll use my AQ Coffee from the Zenith to the Phoenix and then the Lush 2 to the D90 MQA DAC to begin with.

Thanks all.... I will keep you posted on what happens soon.

[ConcreteCow]

 

1 hour ago, FrankMA said:

Hi Alan

 

I love the Lush 2's paired with the Phoenix. I am really averse to thin or overly bright sounding systems and in this regard the Phasure's fit the bill in my system. In this regard they remind me of AQ cables: Full, musical, balanced. 

Add in the tuning capabilities of the Lush 2 and I think it's a winner

 

Not to say there aren't other great cables out there but I think at this price point the Lush's would be hard to beat

 

Hi FrankMA,

May I ask what Jumper/Pin settings you went with on your Lush 2's?

Many thanks.

[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

 

[ConcreteCow]

Hi Alan,

PM received with thanks. Thanks for the config post above.

Yes... sorry... slightly off topic.

Phoenix now ordered. USB cable chosen thanks to everyones input.

Looking forward to reporting back on my Phoenix setup and sound thoughts.

Many thanks and regards to you and all who participated.

 

 

 

[yellowblue]

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