New Innuos network switch?

[Ianderson]

I don’t know if it’s just a rumour, but Innuos could be ready to release a competitive audio grade network switch for about the price of a Phoenix. Anybody else heard something along these lines?

[kennyb123]

This was hinted at a while back.  Nuno had said something about making both the USB and Ethernet technologies from the Statement available to owners of the Zenith SE (and of course other servers).  The first shoe dropped with the Phoenix so I wouldn’t be surprised if another shoe would be dropping at some point.

 

 

[ChrisG]

I demoed an Innuos Statement in my system to use with a Linn Klimax DSM streamer and the Melco S100 w/ Farad Super3 power supply that I already owned outperformed the direct ethernet connection from the Statement. I suggest that you give the Melco a trial if you have a chance. 

[Ianderson]

Chris - you’re not the first to praise the Melco. Similar pedigree the the modded Buffalo.

 

I gather the Innuos is now out with the PhoenixNet at $3500 usd

[Blackmorec]

On 1/9/2021 at 1:47 AM, ChrisG said:

I demoed an Innuos Statement in my system to use with a Linn Klimax DSM streamer and the Melco S100 w/ Farad Super3 power supply that I already owned outperformed the direct ethernet connection from the Statement. I suggest that you give the Melco a trial if you have a chance. 

Hey Chris 😀

How was the Melco connected to the Statement? Are you saying that the music sounded better when the Statement was fed a stream from the Melco vs streaming directly into the Statement? 

 

[JonD]

PhoenixNET – Innuos – High-Fidelity Digital Music Servers and Streamers

 

Pricey, but you get several things in one box:

1. Fancy ethernet switch
2. A decent OCXO clock – good OCXO chips can cost many hundreds
3. Linear PSU – and we know these can get pricey

[George Hincapie]

Not necessary. Just buy a decent ethernet switch (I use Ubiquiti), and save your money for something that actually makes a difference.

[MarkusBarkus]

Necessary? Nope. Make a difference? Yup. 

[Varadero xl 1000v]

I am seriously considering buying the following innuos mains switch.

https://innuos.com/phoenixnet/

 But since this is a completely new product, there are no user opinions other than those of professional reviewers.  That stops me.  

 

Maybe I finally decide to go step by step.  Buy innuos PheonixUSB Clock, and leave PheoenixNET for a while later ..

[MarkusBarkus]

I do not have the new Innuos switch, but I have a modded Pink Faun Buffalo switch. From what I can tell from the specs online, these devices look very similar, and certainly the intent is similar: added precision, if I can say it that way. 
 

I do have the Innuos Phoenix USB re-clocker. I think it works very well and provided an improvement in my system (into Aurender ACS10). 
 

Full Disclosure: I actually recently removed the Phoenix but only because I bought an Extreme, and will be adding their USB card soon, so the Phoenix is redundant. I plan to post the Phoenix for sale this week, if I can figure out PayPal.

[Varadero xl 1000v]

Too bad I hear you sell pheonix.  Just in the morning I ordered mine!  If I knew, I would buy it ..

[tedwoods]

The first, if I'm not mistaken, review of the Phoenixnet: https://www.fairaudio.de/test/innuos-phoenixnet-audiophiler-netzwerk-switch/

[Varadero xl 1000v]

Yesterday I received the Innuos PhoenixNET network switch and the Innuos PheonixUSB.  At the moment I have connected to my digital system (Chord Hugo tt2, Streamer Auralic G1, Melco ethernet cables) only PhoenixNET.

 

 If you are interested in my impressions I could list them ..

[fpalm69]

Yes, I would be interested in your impressions.  I have the Phoenix and would like to know what the NET would do for me.

Thanks!

[Varadero xl 1000v]

Hi fpalm69.

 

Following my above message I would like to add:

 

 What I liked.

 

 1. More silence in playback - black background.

 

2. Appearance of small sounds of orchestra instruments that were not heard before, or were rarely heard.

 

 3. No more annoyance at high playback level.

 

 4. Better separation of instruments as a whole, and high frequencies became sharper without disturbing.

 

 What he did not give me:

 

 1. More 3D image than I already had.

 

 2. I did not notice much change in the low frequencies (Bass).

 

 I have a feeling that PhoenixNET focuses mainly on noise suppression of streaming services, modem routers, and internet, and in this area it does very well.  Now I understand how bad network noise can be in digital streaming.

 What I would like to say is this: it is not a device that will raise the quality of performance, someone will not say wow once they connect it, but will help individual parts of the sound that are very important.  He will see details he could not hear before.  I think the high quality devices will be helped by the Innuos PheonixNET.

 

Of course I will wait for other days, so that I have a complete picture, as I have only heard it one day.

 

Let me emphasize again that my critique concerns only innuos PheonixNET.  I connected this to my system which, in addition to the above digital devices, consists of the integrated amplifier Mcintosh MA 7900 and Sonus Faber Olympica 2 floor stand speakers.

[Re-tread]

Thank you, @Varadero xl 1000v for your photos and initial impressions.  Please keep us posted on the aural developments as the PhoenixNET settles in with additional hours.  I believe all Innuos devices (with the Mundorf caps and large toroidals) will take about 400-hours to fully break in.  It should open up a bit more as it reaches the 400-500 hour mark.  

 

I am very intrigued with this new PhoenixNET device, as my digital front-end is currently:  Innuos Zenith 3 + PhoenixUSB. I also have an UpTone eRegen w/ JS-2 dual-rail LPS (powering the eR & my modem) ahead of the Innuos kit, and the possibility of inserting a PhoenixNET into the mix has piqued my interest. In my case, I would initially cascade: ISP Modem > eRegen > PhoenixNET > Zenith 3 > PhoenixUSB > DAC. Albeit expensive, I believe this addition could put me in the 'Statement' territory, but before I go down that path, I was hoping to learn more feedback on this device from you and other contributors in the AS & WBF communities. 

 

** If interested, here is the link to the PhoenixNET thread on WBF:  https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/to-switch-or-not-to-switch-melco-s-100-or-innuos-phoenix-net-switch.32550/

 

I suspect I will soon make the necessary initial steps on price/delivery inquiries for a PhoenixNET with my Innuos dealer. Based on what I am hearing in my system now (w/o the PhoenixNET) and what I anticipate the PhoenixNET would/could do, it could be a homerun for my set-up. Fingers crossed. Until then, I hope to continue to learn additional feedback about the PhoenixNET from you and others on the community board(s).

 

 I have attached my system FLOW diagram for an easy visual.  Diagram Note: the items depicted in 'Black' are current state; and the items in 'Red' are proposed future state (i.e., the PhoenixNET.)

 

Thanks, again!

 

Re-tread

[jtrelin]

Hi, I also recently purchased an Innuos switch, which I'm running in front of a Taiko Extreme. I'm wondering, have you experimented with placing an FMC between your switch and the server/streamer? Theoretically, it would remove any last mile noise. I tried to do it going to the Extreme (which has an optical card) and it doesn't seem as if the Innuos supports FMCs. Neither a StarTech nor a Sonore OpticleModule Deluxe were stable/discoverable. Both FMCs work fine without the Taiko and when coupled with other switches. I don't know if it would sound better, but it's certainly worth the experiment and you'd expect the Innuos to support it. I reached out to Innuos and they have been non-responsive. 

 

Any help would be appreciated.

[coldbru]

I have FMCs for isolation using to EtherRegens. The first ER is outside the audio system, connected to the house network and an Antipodes CX. FMC > optical connect to the second EtherRegen, with LPS 1.5, connected to a PS Audio Regenerator, and ethernet from the 'clean' side of the second ER connects to Antipodes EX. 

 

This partially replaces the need for the PhoenixNET of course, but in my experience these improvements are additive. 

[jtrelin]

Hi, thank you for the insight.
 

Yes, that’s the great experiment/debate, if in fact the additive value of multiple switches (that you and many other companies/people report), and/or the RFI noise reduction from the FMC compensates for any noise introduced by the FMC itself.  Hence the need for the experiment. 

 

So Innuos has finally gotten in contact with me about the issue and pointed out there’s a known compatibility issue with the StarTech and slower switches like the Innuos. This doesn’t address the issue with the OpticalRendue Deluxe, but one issue at a time, I guess. I will say the Innuos sounds very, very good stand-alone. It remains to be seen how it will sound chained.
 

Before i bought the Innuos switch I was running dual SOtMs and experimented with both copper and optical between the router, switches, and server.  I found the transceivers to be extremely important, but the cables not so much (as long as they were properly matched to the transceiver type.). Ultimately, I settled on copper going from the router to the first SOtM, optical using discontinued Finisar Transceivers between the switches, and StarTech transceivers (in part because the Extreme uses a StarTech card) between the Extreme and the SOtM. Ultimately, there was no need for FMCs because the SOtMs have cages. 
 

I’ve sent the SOtM switches back to be refitted to 50Ohm connectors to be compatible with a Merging+ NADAC clock. When they return I’ll experiment with putting the SOtMs and Innuos in series and can report back.