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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
in_shore's avatar
in_shore
596 posts
 
I use Grannyrings USB cables 2 of them one from my Innuos Zenith 3 to a Innuos Phoenix out to my overpriced lousy underperforming dac ,.LOL ,..

Comments above from people that have not actually listened to any type of reclocker converter device be it for i2s , USB or what have you is baffling to say the least and comical at the same time .,..
david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
I think expensive addons like the Phoenix, need a careful audition, more than a DAC or phono stage say. Presumably you were convinced by a trial in your system, to keep the Phoenix. That is what I'll have to do, when it is possible. I live in the UK and we seem to be more cautious about Covid, than some folks in the US at the moment, no names.
in_shore's avatar
in_shore
596 posts
 
David I found the Phoenix an easy decision to purchase after a short listen just before the parade of experts finally decided what was coming out of China by the plane load was and is a serious threat .
roberttdid
534 posts
 
As stated above, if your USB DAC is async, "reclocking" the signal is a meaningless function. It will literally do nothing at least w.r.t. data transfer.  sjsfive0 seemed to get good and honest data from a manufacturer who said the same thing. The reclocking function is meaningless. On the other hand, cleaning up electrical noise could certainly be a benefit. Is $3,000 a suitable price for doing that?  Seems a bit "rich" for the function and could be done for considerably less money, but if you trial it and it helps, what is your time worth?  It may be worth researching and investing in a simpler device but as effective device and putting that money elsewhere into the system.
erik_squires
15,812 posts
 
Reclocking is meaningless, but galvanic isolation is not.

I just found out to my deep chagrin that the Mytek Brooklyn I have is NOT galvanically isolated from the USB input.  I can't believe DACs these days don't automatically include this.
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