The Phoenix reclocker needs to be broken in really well. I would give it 80 to 100 hours of break-in at least. I did this and it made all the difference in the world. Also, it matters what kind of USB cables you have. I used a shenyatta Omega before the reclocker and found the audioquest diamond after the reclocker. Made the sound better than if I would have used two omegas. I experiment it with us for a while and it sounds superb now. Randy
Innuos Phoenix USB Reclocker - Sounds Worse?
I picked up a Phoenix USB Reclocker, mint condition store demo. I think this must be the first of many, many reports where the Phoenix does NOT seem to improve the sound. So many posts and review after review indicate positive results with this device added to systems. I’ve not seen one single account where the results weren’t clearly superior. Yet that seems to be the case for me, sadly!
My system:
- Gryphon Diablo 300 with DAC module
- Innuos Zenith Mk 3 with Roon/Tidal HiFi
- Innuos Phoenix Reclocker
- AudioQuest Hurricane Source power cords connected to a Niagara 1200 conditioner
- AudioQuest Dragon High Current power cord connected between my amp and the wall
- Two AudioQuest Diamond USB cables
- Nordost Valhalla 2 speaker cables
- B&W 803 D2 speakers
Adding the reclocker makes the sound more constrained, tighter, with less separation, and is generally less engaging. This seems to be almost the opposite of 100% of everyone else’s experiences. I thought maybe the new USB cord needed to be broken in (it’s been 40 hours now) but I don’t think it could be this much worse prior to completing the breakin. And the Reclocker was a demo so in theory it should be broken in.
Some may theorize that my Gryphon DAC may be better and that the Reclocker is dragging my DAC down instead of elevating it. But that logic I don’t think makes sense, because the Phoenix reclocker tech is included in Innuos’ top Uber expensive Statement. I can’t imagine that the Statement in my system would sound worse than my Zenith Mk III which is less than half the cost!
Not sure what’s up… I will give it another few days and then contact Innuos to see if they have any thoughts.
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@randyrue - I’m thinking about investing in an Innuos USB reclocker. Would you mind sharing your impressions of how it improved your system? I’ve read and listened to reviews but still would appreciate hearing your perspective as an actual user of the unit.
Thanks in advance! |
@randyrue - I’m thinking about investing in an Innuos USB reclocker. Would you mind sharing your impressions of how it improved your system? I’ve read and listened to reviews but still would appreciate hearing your perspective as an actual user of the unit.
Thanks in advance! |
I was also contemplating a return of my Phoenix until I disconnected it from my system and noticed that things didn’t sound as good (I had been using it for a week). So then I reconnected it and now enjoying whatever it’s doing. My suspicion is that all these sorts of hi-fi components are system-dependent, and your mileage might vary. Importantly, the change for me wasn’t dramatic but I did note a difference when it wasn’t there. Perhaps it’s just a placebo effect…lol. |
- 33 posts total