I will say, the Phoenix USB reclocker definitely made a difference in my system: blacker background, which I think leads to the increase in perceived detail/separation. But it was not a huge effect. A bit smaller of a difference than say the m-scaler made for me. Still enjoy having it, but not necessarily a must have for me (I would say the m-scaler is a must have in comparison).
I’ve had a few streamers (from budget to TOTL), and I found that adding the Innuos PhoenixUSB makes an improvement on all of them (even my Antipodes K50). People are going to disagree with me, but if I had to choose a streamer vs a reclocker, I’m choosing the reclocker. Streamers make a big difference solo as well, but I feel the reclocker solo makes a bigger difference.
I have a very high end streamer now (Antipodes K50), and it definitely is an improvement over my previous ZenithMk3, but I keep it around mainly due to the UI and the massive amount of storage. I had several Zenith Mk3s break on me (yes, multiple units). The Zenith UI is not great and you have to send the unit back to Portugal to upgrade your storage (which only maxes out at 8tb, vs the 24tb you get with the K50). As much as I love the Innuos PhoenixUSB, I will never buy another Innuos streamer until they fix the UX issues, increase the storage, and allow the user to switch out the ssd themselves.
Honestly, I was fine with going from my gaming PC to Phoenix USB to M-scaler. It sounded great. Solo out of my gaming pc wasn’t as good. Adding the K50 was probably a 15% increase in sound quality, but a 100% increase in UX. Still at $15k, it’s hard to give a wholehearted recommendation. I 100% think the Innuos Phoenix USB reclocker is a must buy. I will never not have a reclocker again. It was a big difference for me (but perhaps the power out of my gaming pc was very dirty).
I’d personally prioritize other purchases over a streamer, given that you already have a reclocker. I also do not recommend using Innuos Streamers, given my bad experience with them. Antipodes is amazing though. If you are looking to get a streamer, make sure to look at other companies other than Innuos as well.
Here is Antipodes company's recommendation with regard to the best output. Of course it is meant to be applied when using their own gear.
About Ethernet vs USB vs Digital Outputs
Many DAC manufacturers insist that their Ethernet input is best, and we are often asked why we favour Digital Outputs over USB. Confusion arises because in many cases the user is faced with a music server and a DAC that both support a range of possible interfaces between them. The user naturally wants to know which type of interface sounds best.
But the issue is not about alternative types of connection. It is actually about alternative solution architectures. For example, using Ethernet means that the Player (endpoint) is in the DAC; using USB means the Player is in the music server; using synchronous connections (I2S, S/PDIF & AES3) means the Async to Sync conversion and re-clocking is in the music server.
Your choice of connection shifts individual roles between the music server and the DAC. Where each role is better to be performed depends on the actual music server and the actual DAC.
Please read our Architecture page for a simple explanation of how there is no hierarchy of better/worse sounding connections, and what it really means when you decide to use one type of connection over another.
Koso on audiophilestyle.com tested the Phoenix USB against the Ideon 3R Master time and the Denafrips Gaia.
On 3/14/2022 at 5:12 PM, Koso said:
Phoenix USB arrived today. Starting burn in. Will report my findings after one - two weeks. Also will do the comparison with another reclockers (Ideon 3R Master time and Denafrips Gaia). Stay tuned.
Those conventional USB filters like Jitterbug and iFi tend to ‘colour’ the sound to some degree, some like the ‘analogue’ signature but I don’t. It makes the music less engaging and seems to me there’s a roll off in the highs.
Those USB Regen like Uptone ISO Regen (I’ve tried) and Holo Audio Titanis don’t seem to effect the tonal quality but takes away the ‘layer’ and let the music simply ‘breathe’ through naturally. It don’t seem to correlate very well with technical aspects. Some DAC has already built-in a high quality USB input, some even have isolation too. I think those cheaper DAC will benefit more on SQ if they use USB Regen. Below is interesting test on ISO Regen.
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