2. digital
  3. 158306-289

Which USB Re Clocker

I have been very happy with my Innuos Zenith Mk 2 for several years. The sound  is excellent and ripping is child's play. I have been interested in adding the Phoenix Re Clocker for a couple of years, but for various reasons, haven't been able to get a demo yet. One of the selling points of the Phoenix by Innuos, is that it can be used between any source and USB DAC.

 Well it also means that any re clocker should work between an Innuos Server and DAC. The one drawback to me is that the Phoenix isn't cheap, at least as far as my budget in retirement is concerned. The Company claims that the Phoenix is more than a Re Clocker, with improved power supplies and other improvements. I don't suppose many of you guys have had the chance to compare the Phoenix with other units. Still any suggestions about other, cheaper Re Clocker units to consider? Particularly if you have had the chance to use it with an Innuos Server, but not much chance of that either. Still any advice is welcome, thanks.

david12

Showing 7 responses by djones51

djones51
4,947 posts
 
In other words you have no idea why. It’s just a subjective opinion. There is absolutely no reason why a reclocker in an asynchronous system does anything if you have a competently designed modern DAC. Some DACs might get help by having a bit of line noise filtered by them but if you’re going to plop down thousands of dollars just get a decent DAC instead of adding more gadgets to the chain.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Really? How?
OP do not go down this idiotic road. The DAC controls the clock you can reclock USB 5 times between the source and the DAC and the DAC will still control. If your DAC is older and isn't aysncronous then a reclocker might be of some use. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I'm not sure if the DAC you have uses asynchronous USB. I believe the company went out of business or is realigning or something. IMO you would be better off using your money to get a newer DAC that uses asynchronous USB which makes the notion of things like USB reclockers superfluous. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
He opened your eyes by suggesting you buy a reclocker. If the DAC is decent it can handle noise from a streamer. What about the line noise from the reclocker to the DAC? 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
The main question is how does the Metrum implement their USB. Is there a reason you think you need a reclocker? Noise problems? Sputtering ? If the USB is implemented correctly you should have no reason for a reclocker. If you’re confused research how asynchronous USB works. The DAC clock controls the stream the reason being the clock closest to the DAC chip is better at adjusting the rate. Good DACs also implement good isolation for noise reduction. If the reclocker controlled your stream would be a mess with buffer loading and dropouts unless you’re operating in isynchronous or adaptive mode. The idea behind reclockers is to make you think you have a problem to sell one more box. If there is a problem it’s better to fix it with a competent DAC not by adding something that could end up causing more problems than it purports to fix.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
It comes down to your DAC if it's lousy at noise reduction a reclocker might help if you have a well designed DAC that's good at noise rejection and a good implemented asynchronous USB it's useless. Use your money to get a good DAC instead of a bandaid.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
The Topping D90 has excellent USB implementation you don't need a reclocker in front of it. If you are trying to go I2S then use the one that changes it but I doubt you would hear a difference. 
More to discover