Upgrade
- Thread starter sombre23
- Start date
Thank you Stephen,
if you order the DDC board does the Zenith NG have both USB and i2s outputs that are switchable by the user? Or both are operating simultaneously?
You'll need to choose the one board that you need - boards can be switched out relatively easily, but still involves some disassembly.
The planned options are;
- PhoenixUSB Lite Module
- 'PhoenixI2S' Module (HDMI connector)
- DDC Board (Aes + optical + coaxial).
Only one can be fitted at a time.
There will still be 3 USB ports on the back panel available at all times that are multi-purpose and can be used for audio, but they will not be reclocked. But if you have a PhoenixUSB anyway, no reason why you could not use one of these USB outputs.
Hi, will you also be offering a DDC board for the PULSAR? I am extremely happy going from one of the ”standard” USB out from PULSAR via Ideon Absolute Time to my Aries Cerat Heléne DAC but want the possibility of playback from spdif (also via Absolute Time) to my Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 5 speakers (separate system).
My USB experience is that the PULSAR+Absolute Time is better in every possible way compared to going straight from the PhoenixLite USB out to the AC Hélene DAC plus there’s a lot of ”hand-off” (I suspect) issues connecting the Absolute Time to the PhoenixLite USB out with drop-outs- maybe too much reclocking going on…
Also compared the PULSAR+Absolute Time to Aurender N20+Absolute Time and the Innuos in this combo delivers on a whole other level: I’ve never heard such organic piano sound in my life, ever.
Next, I’m going to compare PULSAR+Absolute Time to:
- Phoenix USB Lite from the ZENith NG to AC Heléne DAC
- ”standard” USB out from ZENith NG via Absolute Time to Heléne DAC
Fun times!
My USB experience is that the PULSAR+Absolute Time is better in every possible way compared to going straight from the PhoenixLite USB out to the AC Hélene DAC plus there’s a lot of ”hand-off” (I suspect) issues connecting the Absolute Time to the PhoenixLite USB out with drop-outs- maybe too much reclocking going on…
Also compared the PULSAR+Absolute Time to Aurender N20+Absolute Time and the Innuos in this combo delivers on a whole other level: I’ve never heard such organic piano sound in my life, ever.
Next, I’m going to compare PULSAR+Absolute Time to:
- Phoenix USB Lite from the ZENith NG to AC Heléne DAC
- ”standard” USB out from ZENith NG via Absolute Time to Heléne DAC
Fun times!
Yes i believe so, it should be made available for PULSAR also.
Hopefully this side of the Christmas! The i2s board has actually undergone an overhaul since its initial debut a few months ago so that has taken priority, but hopefully DDC board is not far behind at all. I would hope for this side of Christmas!Thanks for your quick reply @Stephen Healy. Before or after christmas?
I believe I’m one of the first UK customers to have been able to audition the Zenith NG in my own system at home. I’ve had a Zenith Mk3 for the last year or so, and I’m very grateful that Niall was able to oblige over a long weekend of listening prior to taking the unit back on a demonstration tour of European dealers.
The demo unit has the PhoenixLite USB output (I hadn’t thought to borrow a PhoenixNet Ethernet switch but ran my Shunyata Sigma Ethernet cable from an EE 8 switch, for anybody interested in partnering equipment).
Without going into a long and subjective ramble, I’ll just briefly say to anybody thinking of upgrading that they must get a demo, the improvement is massive, particularly in terms of getting so much closer to sounding like “real” music and being more analogue and involving.
Much better defined and deeper bass, leading edge of notes, clarity and focus of vocals…. I could go on and on…The improvements are profound and not subtle! Having just seen the generous part exchange offer from Innuos I’ll be getting one before Christmas, and my dealer tells me they are available in a few days even though they are made to order in Portugal.
I got to chat to Niall at my dealer and on his suggestion borrowed a PhoenixNet to try with my own Zenith Mk3, which was a big improvement over the 8 switch - the ZENith NG/PhoenixNet combo is going to be awesome!
The demo unit has the PhoenixLite USB output (I hadn’t thought to borrow a PhoenixNet Ethernet switch but ran my Shunyata Sigma Ethernet cable from an EE 8 switch, for anybody interested in partnering equipment).
Without going into a long and subjective ramble, I’ll just briefly say to anybody thinking of upgrading that they must get a demo, the improvement is massive, particularly in terms of getting so much closer to sounding like “real” music and being more analogue and involving.
Much better defined and deeper bass, leading edge of notes, clarity and focus of vocals…. I could go on and on…The improvements are profound and not subtle! Having just seen the generous part exchange offer from Innuos I’ll be getting one before Christmas, and my dealer tells me they are available in a few days even though they are made to order in Portugal.
I got to chat to Niall at my dealer and on his suggestion borrowed a PhoenixNet to try with my own Zenith Mk3, which was a big improvement over the 8 switch - the ZENith NG/PhoenixNet combo is going to be awesome!