Appreciate any insights from Phoenix USB owners, I’m looking to add this to my Zen MK 3, what improvement levels should I expect? The Phoenix will feed into my Denafrips Terminator 2, which has a great clock in it already. Will there be that much of an improvement? Thanks.
Innuos Phoenix USB
- Thread starter Toneranger
- Start date
Hi,
I just installed the Phoenix USB yesterday between my Eversolo DMP-A6 streamer and a PS Audio Direct Stream MK1 DAC. I am using a Cardas Clear cable between the streamer and the Phoenix USB with the Innuos stock USB between the Phoenix and the DAC. I have a second higher end cable arriving in a few days to replace the stock unit. The differences in casual listening are minimal. A little sharper tone.
With critical listening I noticed improved instrument and voice placement, including improved height from the instruments/vocals. The soundstage width did not widen, but the depth did improve slightly. My Pulse arrives later this week. I am looking forward to the results and will report on them on the thread I started this week.
I just installed the Phoenix USB yesterday between my Eversolo DMP-A6 streamer and a PS Audio Direct Stream MK1 DAC. I am using a Cardas Clear cable between the streamer and the Phoenix USB with the Innuos stock USB between the Phoenix and the DAC. I have a second higher end cable arriving in a few days to replace the stock unit. The differences in casual listening are minimal. A little sharper tone.
With critical listening I noticed improved instrument and voice placement, including improved height from the instruments/vocals. The soundstage width did not widen, but the depth did improve slightly. My Pulse arrives later this week. I am looking forward to the results and will report on them on the thread I started this week.
Keep in mind that on the Phoenix devices, the OCXO clock can take a good 2 or 3 days to reach peak performance. Furthermore, the PSU section and capacitors will is similar to an amplifier in that it will take a couple of weeks before 'breaking in'. You should find the sound will continue to improve in the coming weeks
I had the A6 liked it a lot, and I think you will find a significant step up with the Pulse. I also thought my Zen Innuos OS was better than the Eversolo OS. Enjoy, look forward to hearing how the Pulse/Phoenix combo works for you. I’ve been thinking of adding the Phoenix to my Zen/Denafrips T2 set up. My Pinetree Audio Banshee USB cable is a nice up from the standard USB cable provided.
Received the Pinetree Banshee and replaced the stock Innuos USB cable. The person I purchased the Phoenix USB from added a Cardis Clear USB to seal the deal. I did some a/b/c/d testing today. 1st was the two Innuos stock cables. Then tried the Cardis between the Phoenix and Pulse, then the Pulse and Direct Stream. Did the same with the Pinetree. All four combos were better than stock. Then tried the Cardis and Pinetree together. Actually heard an improvement. Tried switching them and heard no difference. Glad to have the Cardis and Pinetree with the Innuos and PS Audio streaming set.
Hi Stephen Healy
...This applies to InnuO's streamers,.Zen series, Pulsar series and Statement as well, right.?
OR,.is your example above that it takes this time when the OCXO clock is new.?
As when a product with OCXO clock is "burn-in", I have heard that one hour of "heating up" the OXCO clock is enough...
Is it true.?
Last edited:
Hi Peder, apologies for the slow reply, i was busy at CanJam in London these last few days!Hi Stephen Healy
This applies to InnuO's streamers,.Zen series, Pulsar series and Statement as well, right.?
OR,.is your example above that it takes this time when the OCXO clock is new.?
As when a product with OCXO clock is "burn-in", I have heard that one hour of "heating up" the OXCO clock is enough...
Is it true.?
The rule of allowing a few days to reach peak performance on the clock is in relation to the 3ppb OCXO clock, so that would apply specifically to PULSAR, STATEMENT, both Phoenix devices and also the new ZEN & ZENith NG. A 1 hour period seems optimistic..
The much longer 'burn-in' period for the PSU section applies to basically any device with linear power, so in our case that is all of them except the 'minis'.
Thank you for your informative and clarifying reply Stephen.
Then I also conclude,.that there may be a future upgrade of Zen/Zenith mk3 in view of what you write.
But it's hardly something you can tell me about now,.or..
...
Of course there will be a replacement to the Mk3 series at some stage, but as mentioned elsewhere this will not come very soon.Thank you for your informative and clarifying reply Stephen.
Then I also conclude,.that there may be a future upgrade of Zen/Zenith mk3 in view of what you write.
But it's hardly something you can tell me about now,.or..
If I want to compare two dac’s but I don’t want the hassle of connecting USB cable to DAC1 , listening to music then switching everything off, swap USB cable to DAC2, rebooting everything to start listening again , could a USB Splitter cable be used / are they actually produced?
How about 2 USB OP’s on the PheonixUSB unit, has that ever been considered?
Regards. Frank
How about 2 USB OP’s on the PheonixUSB unit, has that ever been considered?
Regards. Frank
The best way to solve this is to have the 2 DACs both powered on and connected up, play a song on your Innuos then just move the cable from DAC 1 to DAC 2 and play the same song. Any other workaround is either going to be quite a compromise or a bit overkill - as long as there's space around your HiFi rack, this should not be too tricky but appreciate it could be difficult if its all housed in a confined space.
Regarding the Phoenix USB's OCXO clock, it may require a 2-3 day period to stabilise. During this time, should the device not be moved or subjected to vibrations? Additionally, for the PSU section, is continuous power-on burn-in required? For example, would powering it for 1 hour a day versus 8 hours a day result in the same period to reach optimal performance? Another question is whether it is worthwhile to replace the vibration-damping feet on the Phoenix USB. Lastly, I’d like to ask about the Phoenix USB's sensitivity to power cables, including the fuse. Does the USB cable's input section have a greater impact on the sound quality compared to the output section? Thank you!
Perhaps do not need to worry about movement or vibration whilst it is still running in.
Continuous power would help a lot to speed up the initial burn-in process of the PSU which can take a good few weeks, as well as keeping the clock and its peak stability.
Regarding isolation feet, they are already substantial so any further tweaking would be at your discretion.
Power cables will certainly make a good difference, but I will ivnite others to comment on changing fuses. Both input and output sections for the USB cable are important, but if you had to rank one above the other then I would place more emphasis on the output.
Continuous power would help a lot to speed up the initial burn-in process of the PSU which can take a good few weeks, as well as keeping the clock and its peak stability.
Regarding isolation feet, they are already substantial so any further tweaking would be at your discretion.
Power cables will certainly make a good difference, but I will ivnite others to comment on changing fuses. Both input and output sections for the USB cable are important, but if you had to rank one above the other then I would place more emphasis on the output.
@Toneranger , in my experience the improvement to the sound you hear from adding a usb reclocker/filter such as the PhoenixUSB is entirely dependent upon the DAC you have and how it treats the incoming signal. If the DAC internally reconstructs the onset of change of each of the samples within the digital signal and reclocks the timing then outboard/external reclockers such as PhoenixUSB are less likely to make a difference.
If you are listening to music via streaming I have found that getting the cleanest signal from your LAN to the Streamer and then to the DAC provides an improvement.
If you are listening to music via streaming I have found that getting the cleanest signal from your LAN to the Streamer and then to the DAC provides an improvement.
If the DAC is a USB input, it should be possible to set the clock to "local clock" or "stream clock"
Not true at all, it completely depends on what the designer/manufacturer decides. There is no universal choice just because it is usb input oriented.