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.
