Article: Review | Innuos PhoenixUSB Reclocker

[SackATK]

On 9/19/2020 at 6:14 AM, Roasty said:

Has anyone tried two reclockers in sequence? ie source > txusbultra > phoenix > ddc/dac

 

Also, anyone have experience with phoenix > dac VS phoenix > ddc > dac? 

I received my Phoenix a few days ago and I've been listening on my Benchmark DAC3 B/HPA4 headphone system and my Kii Audio Three System (Both use same Shunyata based power). Currently, the opticalRendu feeds the ISO Regen which feeds the Phoenix. My best USB cable Shunyata Alpha sits between ISO Regen and Phoenix.  I have yet to remove the ISO Regen to see how it may affect the Phoenix but let me say in terms of musicality, the Phoenix has been one of the best bang for my buck investments! 

 

Here are my notes from the first night of listening on headphones:

 

liquid

quite

relaxed

smooth

ease

better tonality

dynamic - lively

analog

enhanced reverb - decay

airiness

clarity in high end - and everywhere

better instruments/singers separation

less busy - less fatiguing

hear new things in every familiar song

can hear more voices singing

excellent synergy with this system

 

If I had to choose one word to decribe the Phoenix it is EASE.  It allows the music to play with ease and the "noise peaks" are more relaxed and this allows me to enjoy the music at a louder level which literally amplifies everything good in the music.  I would gladly pay the price again for another Phoenix level of enjoyment. 

 

 

[SackATK]

On 9/19/2020 at 6:14 AM, Roasty said:

Has anyone tried two reclockers in sequence? ie source > txusbultra > phoenix > ddc/dac

 

Also, anyone have experience with phoenix > dac VS phoenix > ddc > dac? 

I just reminded myself that the Kii Controller in the Kii Three system is actually a DDC. I'm not 100% sure but I believe the Kii Controller converts the USB signal to AES or some proprietary protocol.  So to answer your second question, yes I've tried Phoenix to DDC and it is excellent.  The improvements in the Kii Three system is similar to the improvements in the Benchmark DAC 3/HPA4 system although a little less so.  My Benchmark system is more revealing and this may explain why. 

[SackATK]

On 3/25/2021 at 10:48 PM, soares said:

Any findings?

Tks

 

Reading that the Phoenix benefits from good input, I never seriously thought about removing the ISO Regen from the USB chain. My ISO Regen was powered by a DC chain consisting of HDPlex 300W > Uptone LPS 1.2 > DXP-1A5DSC > DXP-1A5DSC.  That's a lot of LT3045 regulators!  The LPS 1.2 was set to output 12V and the DXP units downconverted the voltage to 7.1V for the ISO Regen. The ISO Regen improved the opticalRendu (not subtle to my ears) and my DC setup was better than straight Farad 3 power supplies.  In summary, I thought I had good input to the Phoenix.

 

But with all this said, I have completely replaced the use of my USB chain with a Grimm Audio MU1 and AES cable.