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

@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.

I have the reclocked, LPS fed Etherregen directly feeding my Innuos Zenith mk3. When I added the LHY Audio switch upstream of the Etherregen, there was a further significant improvement in dimensionality and impulse response. If you daisy chain 2 Etherregensnyou may get similar benefits. Pls note that you can’t though feed both with the same LPS since you’d effectively be breaking the moat.

@tjag 

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

There are many theoretical reasons why not to use I2s but in practice I2s works just fine. You should keep the cable length to 40-50cm. I've successfully used longer cables but found super short cables, although advised by many, don't work as well. PS Audio recommend 50cm, check out their forum.

There are many USB or Coax to I2s converters to try and it's relatively easy to get custom I2s cables configured to your requirements.

@lordmelton Yes, there are many good reviews on using the I2s connection.

But I don’t think the I2s path is a PhoenixUSB killer.

This reviewer preferred the Phoenix to the Denafrips Gaia DDC

On 5/27/2022 at 8:08 PM, beautiful music said:

So are you end up letting Gaia go or am I missing thing?

Yes, that’s the plan. PhoenixUSB is doing magic in my setup.

By the way, GoldenSound wrote this about the Gaia

Overall, the Gaia is a great DDC with perhaps the most comprehensive feature set of any I’ve tested.
Those wanting the absolute best performance should still look to the Singxer SU6.

Magnahifi released their Mano ULTRA mkIII Music Super3 Streamer. It has a Farad super3 power supply. €1295.

The prices are getting higher, but with time there will be more reviews and comparison and things will get clearer.

When I had a W4S MS1 Music Server I used their USB decrapifier and it helped but not as much as the ISORegen.  I also found using 2 ISORegens back go back being even better.  Sold the MS and bought an Innuos Statement and sold the W4S and ISORegens and the LPS's that powered them.

My DAC is a Terminator Plus that prefers I2S so I tried a $600 Denafrips Iris DDC and clocked it with the Terminator Plus.  To my surprise the Iris completely transformed the USB.  Even without clocking it clearly improved the USB from the Statement.

If your DAC takes I2S and you have a Phoenix try a DDC.