USB Reclocker


I would appreciate any feedback/experience/recommendations on adding a USB reclocker between a server and DAC? In my case a Roon nucleus+ server and a Chord DAVE DAC. I was looking at the Innuos Phoenix USB Reclocker.

i have a Ferrum LPS for the Nucleus+ and the DAVE power supply has been been updated with 3 independent Farad PSs.

Should a CHORD M-Scaler be a consideration?

 

 

 

 

singhm1

Yes streaming from the Nucleus+. I was looking for feedback on the Innuos Reclocker to add to the signal from the Roon going to the DAVE. My reading suggests that the ethernet switch does not do anything to the signal due to TCP/IP (I am not a techy). I have not experimented but there are some videos on youtube  by Audio Science Review - Amir that suggest these make no difference. However, If a DAC got the cleanest signal I would think the DAC would be able to produce the best outcome and hence the USB reclocker.

 

Ignore ASR, or use them as a contrarian indicator. One of their videos rated Dave as inferior to a $150 chinese DAC based on their measurements. they just like to cause discussion generating clicks.

TCP/IP is a generic term for all the protocols on the internet. there are 2 main ones, streaming and packet delivery. Many get confused and apply packet delivery thinking to streaming. that is how they determine that you’re fine with a rusty clothes line and 2 tin cups.

Key is to get the streaming to the DAC with the least dropped bits and all arriving at the right time. Thus the highest quality equipment in the streaming path and the reclocker.

Jerry

Jerry, thanks for sharing. So you think that a high quality switch and a reclocker should have a pretty good outcome..  I thought the Farad power supplies significantly elevated the performance of the DAVE. Did you also change the power supply for the M-Scaler to a Farad as well? Did you find the M-Scaler to be a subtle improvement or as much as adding the Farad PSs.? 

@singhm1 I did buy the Farad for the M scaler as well.  I have to admit I was doing wholesale upgrades to many components and didn't go a good job of keeping track which one was most useful.  I do have a story to tell on the m-scaler.  for a while I was streaming wirelessly and I put the M-scaler in place and it sounded worse rather than better.  I sat it aside.  Soon I ran a temporary wire across the floor to see how it sounded while I was trying to figure out how to get a physical wire routed to the streamer.  I was shocked at the difference (Improvement).  At that time I put the M-scaler back in service and got the improvement that I had been expecting.  I went back and forth many times over several days to make sure I wasn't imagining it (which is my normal practice).  So bottom line is, the M-scaler will just make a bad digital signal worse.  Don't try to uscale a signal with a lot of dropped bits.  

your first sentence is perfect, "... a high quality switch and a reclocker should have a pretty good outcome..."   Should being the operative word.  

I have an audiophile switch now and I loaned to a friend and put the D-link switch back in and don't hear much difference.  Still doing research on that and that is why I'm following closely another active thread on streaming that has a lot of switch discussion in it.

Jerry

 

I would approach it differently. I would get a much better streamer. A good streamer will be quieter, make up for network deficits… etc. it is appropriate to pair a carefully chosen streamer of equal value to your DAC. Mine is actually more costly than my other components and digital sound is at the level of my great analog end. I have had streamers ~$3K, $5K, $10K, and $22K. Each bested the lower tier by a good margin.