Which USB reclocker is as good as the Innuos Phoenix USB?

@antigrunge2

Other than the obvious advantage of asynchronous connection you pointed out, I can think of couple of reasons why USB still considered a better option for servers. There is no standardized connector with i2S protocol, some uses RJ45 and others using HDMI. Both AES and BNC (SPDIF) has sample rate limitations (upto 192kHz) unless you’re using dual AES outputs which is very rare. Not to mention jitter which if not addressed properly can become a detriment to a bitstream.

IME, The Ethernet based DAC/Server all in one device is the way to future. The brilliant designers at Merging Technologies and Aurender has proven that you don’t need an external or separate server with ginormous processing power to run Roon Core or to run your favourite player software to hear music files. The whole separate server from end point (renderer) is a propaganda by ROON to fool people into spending money and jumping through hoops with tweaking gadgets to get data stream from Server to End Point (player or renderer). Just think about it, how many folks are benefiting from this grand scheme of running a Roon core on a separate server.

@lalitk

Substantially in agreement with you. Ideally you‘d have an integrated Server/Dac with an integrated analogue attenuator and a very high quality clock. Given the output voltage of normal dacs, I don‘t believe there is a point for a pre unless the power amp has unusually high input impedance. The point about the clock is very material: I have had very major benefit from using a LHY Audio Ocxo switch AND a 10m controlled Etherregen to clean up the Ethernet signal into the server as well as  reclocking the actual DAC conversion.

My comment on the vagaries of USB relates both to noise from the contained 5V DC line and to ground level and RFI/EMI incursions. Many dacs to this day don‘t have galvanically isolated USB inputs (I use Intona Isolator and cables) and using dual USB cables with a separate 5v LPS again has yielded major benefita

@antigrunge2 

I couldn’t agree with you anymore on the efficacy of high quality clock in a high quality DAC/server/Ethernet chain. I am using one with my Merging +player. 

The following point is definitely more in line with using devices not optimized or designed for streaming high resolution audio. 

“vagaries of USB relates both to noise from the contained 5V DC line and to ground level and RFI/EMI incursions.”. 

Ideally you‘d have an integrated Server/Dac with an integrated analogue attenuator and a very high quality clock.

This solution would be ideal, but expensive making it impractical for many.

Check the Innuos Statement which is a streamer only at $14000

Custom-designed Ethernet and USB Re-clocker

Not fully satisfied with existing USB and Ethernet re-clocking designs, Innuos designed in-house their own boards for this purpose.

At the heart of the design are 3 principles: The use of very high-precision OCXO clocks for timing the signals, extreme care in powering important components preventing cross-contamination, and extremely short paths between components.

The Innuos is not exceptionally expensive as the Aurender n20 costs $12000. The Aurender alone is more expensive than my whole system as it is now :). I mean it is just a hobby... for now lol.

Here is an interesting list of the I2S disadvantages. It was not designed for communication over cables. The limitations sound serious.

Drawbacks or disadvantages of I2S bus

Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of I2S bus:
➨It is not intended for data transfer via cables.
➨I2S protocol will have synchronization problem . This is due to difference of propagation delays between clock line and data line.
➨It does not have error detection mechanism. Hence it can cause error in data decoding.
➨There is no standard interconnecting cable and connectors for I2S bus. Different manufacturers use different connectors.
➨It is used for inter-IC communication on the same PCB.

@antigrunge2

I have had very major benefit from using a LHY Audio Ocxo switch AND a 10m controlled Etherregen to clean up the Ethernet signal into the server

I guess you are referring to the benefits of cascading the clocked switches in series right?

The LHY Audio Ocxo switch is good and affordable, I bought a used Etherregen switch for a slightly cheaper price. Does the LHY have any extra benefits over the Etherregen? Because I was planning on cascading two Etherregen switches.

Check what they say about cascading switches (translated from German):

AQVOX SWITCH SE Audiophile High-End Network Switch LAN Isolator

Cascading SWITCHES in series:

AQVOX Switch
OK - we have a strange situation what we are still investigating.
For our switches it makes sense to chain them up. But not for short distances, eg 1m and below it is contra productive, less dynamics a bit matte.
But for longer distanced eg longer than 2m LAN cable between the switches improves the sound quality in deed. Yes.