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Which USB Re Clocker

I have been very happy with my Innuos Zenith Mk 2 for several years. The sound  is excellent and ripping is child's play. I have been interested in adding the Phoenix Re Clocker for a couple of years, but for various reasons, haven't been able to get a demo yet. One of the selling points of the Phoenix by Innuos, is that it can be used between any source and USB DAC.

 Well it also means that any re clocker should work between an Innuos Server and DAC. The one drawback to me is that the Phoenix isn't cheap, at least as far as my budget in retirement is concerned. The Company claims that the Phoenix is more than a Re Clocker, with improved power supplies and other improvements. I don't suppose many of you guys have had the chance to compare the Phoenix with other units. Still any suggestions about other, cheaper Re Clocker units to consider? Particularly if you have had the chance to use it with an Innuos Server, but not much chance of that either. Still any advice is welcome, thanks.

david12
plga
184 posts
 
Audio-gd DI-20 is not a Reclocker but a DDC and it will improve the sound of your DAC a LOT. 
It converts the USB signal of your streamer to AES/EBU, I2S or SPDIF for the DAC.
The HE version has a built in high end power regenerator and its a superb unit for about 1k.
I have the non HE version (about 500 bucks plus shipping) and it is considerably better than my Gustard U16.
I havent heard the Singxer SU-6, but some folks that have them both say that the DI-20 and the DI-20HE are considerably better.
Look for it on head-fi forum. There are pages about it. 
Its also FPGA programable and it gives you the chance to make it sound better with new firmwares that are launched every few months. 
Audio-gd is a hidden gem in the audiophile world. Incredible performance for the price. 
ianb52
40 posts
 
It seems like you can’t go wrong with the Innuos. I think a bigger question is how much are you committed to the USB format long term as opposed to ethernet/network connections or something like a DCS Network Bridge. It does seem to take a lot of money and processing to get an excellent sound from USB.
bsme85
151 posts
 
Hey fellas, if I had a DAC that sucked then I'd probably buy a reclocker too, as a last resort.;
david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
The Metrum does use asynchronous USB and has a lot of good reports about it. It isn't the latest model and there are obviously better DAC's around. The answer may well be to borrow a Phoenix when I can in the current climate and borrow a better DAC, such as the Chord Qutest. The latter would be half the price of course. Then see which gives me the most benefit.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
The main question is how does the Metrum implement their USB. Is there a reason you think you need a reclocker? Noise problems? Sputtering ? If the USB is implemented correctly you should have no reason for a reclocker. If you’re confused research how asynchronous USB works. The DAC clock controls the stream the reason being the clock closest to the DAC chip is better at adjusting the rate. Good DACs also implement good isolation for noise reduction. If the reclocker controlled your stream would be a mess with buffer loading and dropouts unless you’re operating in isynchronous or adaptive mode. The idea behind reclockers is to make you think you have a problem to sell one more box. If there is a problem it’s better to fix it with a competent DAC not by adding something that could end up causing more problems than it purports to fix.
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