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

@axeis1 

Here is an acknowledgment for the M-Scaler 

number1sixerfan wrote:

I will say, the Phoenix USB reclocker definitely made a difference in my system: blacker background, which I think leads to the increase in perceived detail/separation. But it was not a huge effect. A bit smaller of a difference than say the m-scaler made for me. Still enjoy having it, but not necessarily a must have for me (I would say the m-scaler is a must have in comparison).

@kijanki I totally agree I am not disagreeing at all.

But.. how can you explain all the positive reviews about the Phoenix. I can make a long list of positive reviews on Audiogon and on the net.

Anyone found a negative review yet? Can someone explain this mystery please :)

@djones51 Thanks djones51. We are here to share and learn.

Here is the answer 🙂

20:34 Impact of USB cables on DDCs

According to the "Passion for Sound" video:

USB input cable to DDC doesn't matter

USB output cable from DDC MATTERS

It would be interesting if someone who owns a Phoenix shares his experience. I will eventually list links of reviewers who mentioned their gear and some were expensive.

Audiobacon tested with several source.

"Does the server you connect the Phoenix to matter? I tried a custom music server with LPS, a laptop, and of course the Innuos ZENith SE Mk.2. The short answer is “hell yeah.” Even a laptop powered by only a battery won’t sound nearly as good as a dedicated server with a linear power supply. And by “as good” I mean…it’s a pretty large delta."

At the end he bought the Phoenix:

"I wasn’t expecting to purchase this USB reclocker. But the main reason I am is because of its performance with voice recordings. Too many times, a lot of HiFi gear will strip the soul of the performers while polishing everything else"

I am not questioning the usefulness of the Phoenix. I am just asking if there is  an equally effective USB reclocker.

@jjss49 the title of this discussion is "Which USB reclocker is as good as the Innuos Phoenix USB?"

@jjss49 I really would like to think this is true, but what I read disputes it. Owners of expensive gear swear by it check the Phoenix reviews here on Audiogon.

@lordmelton Here is the comparison with the SOtM tX below.

Check what Audiobacon wrote about the Phoenix:

"Having used both battery and the Paul Hynes SR4 on the SOtM tX-USBultra, I realized that its tone is more grey and neutral relative to the Phoenix. That’s probably the biggest difference between the two. The Phoenix has more “blood and tissue” and I found it to be more tonally true. Both handle timbre well.

The Phoenix also has more grit and texture while the tX-USBultra is fuller and smoother. While listening to a few tracks by Kieza, I felt the Phoenix had more realistic decay where certain harmonies lingered for the right amount of time. This actually brought me closer to when I saw her performing live. But the tX sounded more molded and solid. And thus gave more of the impression of a physical presence. Silhouettes are seemed tighter and more “rounded off” with the tX-USBultra.

Another difference is depth. The Innuos has more of it. The SOtM stays more in front and sounds more “glued together.” Whereas the Innuos plucks out the elements better. It handles the fabric of the music with more delicacy and nuance. It’s also the more open sounding of the two. The SOtM is more “collected” and laid back. Lastly, the Innuos has more impactful, deeper, and refined bass. The SOtM has more aggregated mass that is punchy but not as granular.

If you prefer a liquid, more solid, and more neutral sound, the SOtM tX-USBultra is probably the better pick. If you prefer something richer, more open, and warmer, go with the Phoenix. Although I appreciate the qualities of both, I prefer the more natural tone of the Phoenix."

@jjss49 Don’t we all know that lol. I can wait till I find it in the secondhand market in the EU.

@lordmelton I remember I read the Phoenix bettered the SOtM tX, I will find the link. With regards to the lps, I know there are very good expensive ones. However, this ALLO SHANTI is perhaps good enough. It has a bank of 15000uf capacitors followed by super capacitors and a noise level of 80nV only. Price 173USD. It outputs 2 x 5v, I connected the two in serial to get an additional 10v. Allo Nirvana SMPS & Shanti LPS Review

@sns yes true, but could the Phoenix be dethroned?

I found this on a French forum (the interface is messy). I will read further to find out what results they got.

"My questioning was rather: between 600 € (SU-6) and 2400 € (Phoenix), there is 1800 €, which is already the price of good Hifi equipment, and in my opinion this is not the price that allows to qualify equipment as "high-end". Is the "gain" between these two interfaces worth €1800? There are plenty of glowing articles on both, but no comparisons."

I am getting the Sonore OpticalRendu too. I already implemented the method here Cheapest way to enhance SQ with digital streaming with good results using the Gigabit Ethernet. However, this only fixes the network side. So you still have the USB side to work with. Welcome to the quest :).

Kindly, I would like to ask people who have experience (or info with links) of the Phoenix in comparison with other USB reclockers (if any) to contribute in this discussion.

Yes, how nice of you.

Goodbye :)

"A server that optimally renders usb should negate the need for such a device."

- It should, but does it do that in reality? What I read on Audiogon reviews or on the net negates this claim. Again I am not questioning the usefulness of the Phoenix, USB reclocking or DDC.

I am yet to find a negative review of the Phoenix. If you know of one please share it.

We are just exchanging experiences and information sns :)

Look what I found. It is sure interesting info worth investigating.

Check this:

 head-fi.org - Innuos Phoenix USB Reclocker

"Then this weekend I plugged it between a Sonore UltraRendu and my Devialet Expert 1000 Pro. The impact in a two channel system was even more dramatic—huge step up in clarity/width/depth of the sound stage, esp. with 192/24 FLACs. I’ve never experienced such immersive recreation of recorded music. Truly stunning."

@djones51 This is true. A reclocking USB device doesn't alter the speed at witch the DAC asynchronously retrieves USB data packets. Additionally, USB reclockers claim to only repacket the data without altering it. So how can one explain all the positive reviews on Audiogon and the net about the Phoenix and other USB reclockers?

Either it is all lies and smoke or there is something in the USB communication mechanism that is not common knowledge yet. I wasn't able to find an answer to this question. I only read review after review of how good the results of using a USB reclocker are.

If you find a single negative review about the Phoenix please share it.

@sns Thank you for your advice. I have a simple but relatively good streamer ifi Zen with a nice DAC Musician Aquarius. I am not worried that my streamer is better than what these guys have :)

I did read about what gear they used, and it is a variety. One reviewer even tested the Phoenix with the Sonore UltraRendu and reported a positive result.

@kijanki Yes I get it. I am definitely buying a Phoenix when I find one on the secondhand market or if someone recommends an equally good USB reclocker.

Look at all these positive review on the net. I didn’t list those on Audiogon:

• https://darko.audio/2020/05/innuos-phoenix-usb-reclocker-review/
• https://www.the-ear.net/review-hardware/innuos-phoenixusb-reclocker
• https://hifiplus.com/articles/innuos-phoenixusb-reclocker/#:~:text=It%20makes%20the%20best%20of,them%20a%20very%20brisk%20polish.
• https://audiobacon.net/2020/09/08/innuos-phoenix-usb-reclocker-review/
• http://hifiknights.com/reviews/accessories/innuos-phoenixusb/
• https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/innuos2/2/
• https://www.head-fi.org/threads/innuos-phoenix-usb-reclocker.942986/
• https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/review-innuos-phoenixusb-reclocker-r906/

"USB reclockers are an important element of a highly optimized digital audio chain. If your budget allows it, forget the spaghetti, and get yourself a Phoenix. Its addition in your USB chain will bring a huge grin on your face!"

This is the only entry on the net I read someone claiming to have bettered the Phoenix. I don’t know if I believe him because this is a selling ad (Mano ULTRA mkII Music Streamer). By the way the Mano doesn’t have a USB output.

Check what he wrote

"I am only selling because I changed DAC’s and no longer have an I2S input. But this streamer was outstanding and bettered my previous Sonore UltraRendu/Innuos Phoenix USB path at a much cheaper cost"

@sns I believe that reviewer on head-fi (muski) is doing pretty well for himself and his system. This is his gear:

• Devialet Expert 1000 Pro $35000
• DAVE DAC $14000
• M SCALER DIGITAL $5650
• Innuos PhoenixUSB $3195
• Focal Utopia $2600
• Sonore OpticalRendu $1895

Total: $48340

With such a system there is no way he forgot to add a decent linear power supply

@jjss49

What is it with you and this attitude?

Apparently you have close no knowledge in digital gear.

You asked for advice in a thread you created:

Wisdom of buying high priced digital gear (given new advancements underway)

As I am fairly new to the world of stand-alone streamers and DACs, as well as combo units like a Hegel amp with onboard DAC, my question is whether it is wise to buy some of the more expensive high end streamers and DACs, say in the 3-4-5 grand (and up) range.

For instance, a Bluesound Node 2i is a capable digital bit-source (weak internal DAC noted) at only $500, so I question the benefit of buying a $2-3-4k unit from Innuos, Brooklyn, Auralic etc etc? But if I do, just to try them, I am concerned there will be newer units out in the future, and these used units may take significant value hits.

Then you come here bringing your lack of knowledge and "armpit" attitude.

Treat people as you want to be treated.

@gavin1977 The Pink Faun USB Bridge is a good solution when streaming from a PC.

You know what, I am starting to think it is the USB that is complicating things. The USB was originally developed for computer communications and not for audio. They say if the USB is implemented well then it will work great. Yes, but from the reviews I read it seems no one is implementing it well enough thus the need for the Phoenix.

In my DAC both the USB and I2S support the same sampling rate:

USB / I2S : PCM up to 32bit 1536kHz, DSD up to DSD1024, DSD DoP up to DSD64

Perhaps it is time to try a digital interface that outputs I2S like the Singxer SU-6 or the AUDIO-GD DI-20 HE.

The Mano ULTRA mkII Music Streamer would have been great. It has two femto ultra low jitter clocks. I need to ask them about the I2S PCM sampling rate, because it seems to support 24bits only while my DAC supports 32bit PCM or is there something I am misunderstanding?

HDMI I2S LVDS = 44.1 Khz – 192 Khz | 16-24 bit – DSD64 (DoP)

A new question then, how good is sound over the I2S? :)

Premium gear and expensive. I can't afford this :)

@audioman58 do you have a link to their products please?

This case is closed.

A reviewer "Koso" on audiophilestyle.com tested the Phoenix USB against the Ideon 3R Master time (USB reclocker) and the Denafrips Gaia DDC (no USB output).

Posted May 27

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.

@lordmelton thank you.

My future purchase will depend on how long I can wait for the Phoenix to appear on Hifishark :). If it is too long I will go the DDC way.

It would be very interesting to know how SOtM USB performs in comparison to the I2S after a week.

I noticed that the DDC you listed doesn't have a reclocker. The I2S interface will transmits the clock with the data to the DAC. The DAC could then benefit from being driven by a better clock improving performance.

@rfagon interesting comment.

Yes, I read in several places that the AES sound is more natural than the USB. Although, it could be DAC dependant also as seen in the review below.

Roasty wrote:

With my Rockna, I prefer AES over i2s, and i2s over USB. i2s has sweeter highs and tighter punchier low end, but AES has a more natural and layered sound and better textured bass. USB sounded quite sharp up top but also felt kind of a "flat" presentation.

I have all three (i2s, aes, usb) hooked up to my Rockna so I can do comparisons or swap connections when I feel like it.

But with the Holo May, I prefer USB over the rest.

The AES sampling rate is on par with Coaxial and less than USB/I2s. Wouldn’t the lower sampling rate be an issue for you?

Any experience with the I2s?

Here is Antipodes company's recommendation with regard to the best output. Of course it is meant to be applied when using their own gear.

About Ethernet vs USB vs Digital Outputs

Many DAC manufacturers insist that their Ethernet input is best, and we are often asked why we favour Digital Outputs over USB. Confusion arises because in many cases the user is faced with a music server and a DAC that both support a range of possible interfaces between them. The user naturally wants to know which type of interface sounds best.

But the issue is not about alternative types of connection. It is actually about alternative solution architectures. For example, using Ethernet means that the Player (endpoint) is in the DAC; using USB means the Player is in the music server; using synchronous connections (I2S, S/PDIF & AES3) means the Async to Sync conversion and re-clocking is in the music server.

Your choice of connection shifts individual roles between the music server and the DAC. Where each role is better to be performed depends on the actual music server and the actual DAC.

Please read our Architecture page for a simple explanation of how there is no hierarchy of better/worse sounding connections, and what it really means when you decide to use one type of connection over another.

With regard to the importance of using a high end streamer vs USB reclocker, here is a good insight

Ciggavelli wrote:

I’ve had a few streamers (from budget to TOTL), and I found that adding the Innuos PhoenixUSB makes an improvement on all of them (even my Antipodes K50). People are going to disagree with me, but if I had to choose a streamer vs a reclocker, I’m choosing the reclocker. Streamers make a big difference solo as well, but I feel the reclocker solo makes a bigger difference.

I have a very high end streamer now (Antipodes K50), and it definitely is an improvement over my previous ZenithMk3, but I keep it around mainly due to the UI and the massive amount of storage. I had several Zenith Mk3s break on me (yes, multiple units). The Zenith UI is not great and you have to send the unit back to Portugal to upgrade your storage (which only maxes out at 8tb, vs the 24tb you get with the K50). As much as I love the Innuos PhoenixUSB, I will never buy another Innuos streamer until they fix the UX issues, increase the storage, and allow the user to switch out the ssd themselves.

Honestly, I was fine with going from my gaming PC to Phoenix USB to M-scaler. It sounded great. Solo out of my gaming pc wasn’t as good. Adding the K50 was probably a 15% increase in sound quality, but a 100% increase in UX. Still at $15k, it’s hard to give a wholehearted recommendation. I 100% think the Innuos Phoenix USB reclocker is a must buy. I will never not have a reclocker again. It was a big difference for me (but perhaps the power out of my gaming pc was very dirty).

I’d personally prioritize other purchases over a streamer, given that you already have a reclocker. I also do not recommend using Innuos Streamers, given my bad experience with them. Antipodes is amazing though. If you are looking to get a streamer, make sure to look at other companies other than Innuos as well.

@lordmelton

Hope this helps

MusicFidelity wrote:

Those conventional USB filters like Jitterbug and iFi tend to ‘colour’ the sound to some degree, some like the ‘analogue’ signature but I don’t. It makes the music less engaging and seems to me there’s a roll off in the highs.

Those USB Regen like Uptone ISO Regen (I’ve tried) and Holo Audio Titanis don’t seem to effect the tonal quality but takes away the ‘layer’ and let the music simply ‘breathe’ through naturally. It don’t seem to correlate very well with technical aspects. Some DAC has already built-in a high quality USB input, some even have isolation too. I think those cheaper DAC will benefit more on SQ if they use USB Regen. Below is interesting test on ISO Regen.

Check blakep too.

Please write about your SOtM USB Ultra vs I2s comparison if you have time.

@gkr7007 thanks for the suggestion

Koso on audiophilestyle.com tested the Phoenix USB against the Ideon 3R Master time and the Denafrips Gaia.

On 3/14/2022 at 5:12 PM, Koso said:

Phoenix USB arrived today. Starting burn in. Will report my findings after one - two weeks. Also will do the comparison with another reclockers (Ideon 3R Master time and Denafrips Gaia). Stay tuned.

He chose the Phoenix over the other two.

Posted May 27

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.

@rfagon very interesting. I am looking forward to read the results of your comparisons.

@sns

@tjag The above experience isn’t definitive in streamer vs reclocker superiority as the Chord MScaler doesn’t have optimized usb board, really meant for BNC input. I bet tables turned using dac with optimized usb board.

You stated the following: "as the Chord MScaler doesn’t have optimized usb board".

Please define what you mean by "optimised USB board" and provide references (links) to your statements, otherwise your statements are not verifiable.

In the the M Scaler manual both the DUAL BNC & USB INPUT support the same highest sampling rates. Check section "Output sample rate settings 4.5"

The M Scaler USB is supported with galvanic isolation. Here is what the M Scaler manual states:

Galvanic isolation 6.2

Galvanic isolation involves isolating the power rails of the data USB input, allowing for greater sonic performance.

The Hugo M Scaler features a Class 2 Type-B USB input with this protection. Galvanic isolation also features on the dual-BNC outputs.

@sns

Always keep in mind quality of usb in dac is critical to determining best scheme. Doesn’t make sense to reclock prior to quality usb board clock in dac, does for inferior dac usb.

This advice you gave is way easier said than done. In fact it is perhaps impossible to follow for people on normal income. You know how I know this? Because this is according to you sns.

Here is what you wrote few days ago in the thread "Holo Audio Titanis":

sns

2,225 posts

07-07-2022 at 03:32pm

Not surprising in the least. Like I’ve been saying the rendering capabilities of the vast majority of servers out there second rate. Nearly all usb, or any port rendering will be improved by various filters, decrapifiers or external streamers.

The vast majority of these servers not meant to stand alone, require these external devices to hear real potential of dacs and/or streaming in general.

 

@antigrunge2 I bet the Innuos Phoenix would be upgrade over the Titanis. The fact the Phoenix even exists is testament to Innuos understanding limitations of their server’s rendering capabilities.

Are you kidding me sns?

You gave the highest praise to the Phoenix USB, because you knew most of what is out there is not good enough. Nearly ALL DACs and the VAST majority of streamers according to you. Yet the advice here is to find that unobtainable elusive perfect DAC and streamer. Money no object of course.

@sns

You didn’t provide any references, you never do. That in addition to the above I wrote. I am done listening to you.

@jorjlien 

We won't really know without a comparison :).

@klh007 

Yes indeed. 

Pulsar

Instead of SPDIF and AES/EBU outputs, the PULSAR offers an optimized USB output to take sound quality to a whole new level by incorporating a PhoenixUSB Lite Reclocker. 

Both the Phoenix and the Pulsar borrowed from the Statement 

The Statement already contains both the USB regeneration capability delivered in the Phoenix, as well as Ethernet regeneration.

Thank you very much @lordmelton for the update interesting test. You have impressive gear and you use the best components, hence the high price tags :).

All in all you could easily spend upwards of $5-6k to fully implement the SOtM and that’s if you have a master clock already.

It will be interesting to know what you will try next I will follow your posts.

Perhaps the next logical step in your system is to try the Phoenix. From the reviews I found the quality of the Phoenix output beats everything else. Your Aurender A20 is 13000 euros 3000 more is not much in comparison. Getting it from the second hand market will save a lot.

Ideally you‘d have an integrated Server/Dac with an integrated analogue attenuator and a very high quality clock.

This solution would be ideal, but expensive making it impractical for many.

Check the Innuos Statement which is a streamer only at $14000

Custom-designed Ethernet and USB Re-clocker

Not fully satisfied with existing USB and Ethernet re-clocking designs, Innuos designed in-house their own boards for this purpose.

At the heart of the design are 3 principles: The use of very high-precision OCXO clocks for timing the signals, extreme care in powering important components preventing cross-contamination, and extremely short paths between components.

The Innuos is not exceptionally expensive as the Aurender n20 costs $12000. The Aurender alone is more expensive than my whole system as it is now :). I mean it is just a hobby... for now lol.

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

Drawbacks or disadvantages of I2S bus

Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of I2S bus:
➨It is not intended for data transfer via cables.
➨I2S protocol will have synchronization problem . This is due to difference of propagation delays between clock line and data line.
➨It does not have error detection mechanism. Hence it can cause error in data decoding.
➨There is no standard interconnecting cable and connectors for I2S bus. Different manufacturers use different connectors.
➨It is used for inter-IC communication on the same PCB.

@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.

@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.

@anzaanimalclinic
Thank you very much for your feedback. You have a great team doc they look like a wonderful group of people. All the best to you helping our little friends :).

Blake agrees with your findings.

Posted September 22, 2020

I was hoping Srajan at 6Moons would compare the Phoenix, Gaia and some other D/D converters.

https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/denafrips6/4/

While the review is not yet finished, in his review of the Denafrips Avatar, Srajan notes that he did compare the Phoenix, Gaia and through extrapolation to another review, the Mutec MC-3+ USB. While the comparison was not perfect in that he compared Phoenix going to the Terminator Plus usb input, whereas the Gaia was going in to the Terminator Plus I2S input (there was no way around this since Gaia doesn’t have USB output, and the Phoenix only has USB output), the ranking of best sonic performance was:

1. Terminator Plus + Gaia with the Terminator Plus "clock out" feature engaged upstream to the Gaia.

2. Terminator Plus + Phoenix

3. Terminator Plus + Gaia without Terminator Plus "clock out" feature engaged.

4. Mutec MC-3+ USB

Dante Rivera compared his Terminator USB vs I2s in this YT video. The I2s is best. However, this seems specific to the Denafrips DACs. For different DACs I think it depends on which interface is implemented best.

Both Koso (whom I referred to earlier) and Chameleonracks have the Holo Audio Spring 3 DAC. They preferred the USB interface over the I2s. They use the USB interface in combination with the PhoenixUSB and Intona USB Isolator,  respectively.

I will contact my DAC (Musician Aquarius) manufacturer to know which interface they recommend.

I found very helpful information here Musician Phoenix DDC Review

Sandu Vitalie compared the I2S vs USB on the Musician Aquarius DAC.

II. Musician Phoenix + Musician Aquarius via I2S

The audible difference wasn’t only immediate and apparent as it was with a Singxer SU-6, the difference was actually bigger to my expectancy levels.

On its own, Aquarius is a mighty fine sounding DAC, certainly up there with some of the nicest R-2R DACs I’ve tried to this point, but when locking the signal via I2S from the Phoenix, there was a serious jump in resolution and ultimately, dynamic range.

I would never call the Aquarius as muddy, grainy or soft sounding via USB, but it felt that way when I started my comparisons. 

I2S is better than USB in the Aquarius.

Through the discussions in this thread I started thinking that the Aquarius implemented the I2S port better than the USB, since it was said to be designed by the same group that designed the Denafrips DACs. I believe it is the case now.

Sandu  also  compared the Musician Phoenix DDC vs the Singxer SU-6

Musician Phoenix ($1699) VS Singxer SU-6 ($750)

When Phoenix replaced it, I have felt a massive intake of fresh air, like I opened windows towards my music. Micro-details hopped on board and I could better see the contour of the notes compared to the SU-6.

Leading edges appeared by a tiny bit sharper and I could easier follow their trail from inception to decay.

With Phoenix, the key word was focus, as it was moving the spotlights towards the smallest nuances and what was already impressive on SU-6, felt by a hair clearer on the Phoenix.

In my case, Phoenix changed the fate of three high-performance DACs, some were only marginally improved, while others felt like listening to higher tiered versions of themselves.

Besides repelling all types of noise and improving the pace, rhythm and timing, Musician Pegasus became highly energetic, Chord Dave a lot smoother and relaxed than ever before and Aquarius a lot clearer and 3D sounding.

Apparently if I want the best results then I can't get away with using the cheaper Singxer, or the Mano ULTRA mkIII Farad Music Streamer. 

The best solution in my case is to buy the Musician Phoenix DDC or an equally competent DDC.

Just for laughs check this 😂

This is the Gaia

And this is the Phoenix

There was an update due to this: Musician Phoenix DDC Review.

This is an update specific to my dac (Aquarius), basically it states that I2S is the best for the Musician dacs. I wrote about it 3 posts up.

By the way Musician and Denafrips DACs/DDCs are developed by the same team, hence share many similarities.

I thought that was it, the best performance for my dac is achieved by a good DDC using I2S and not the PhoenixUSB.

But then I noticed something a reviewer called Blake wrote, which brings the ball back to the PhoenixUSB court.

According to Blake and another reviewer on this thread the best performance of the Terminator Plus is achieved using I2S from a good DDC clocked by the Terminator’s clock-out signal. However, the issue with the Musician line of DACs is that they don’t have a clock-out signal. Hence, Musician DACs can’t satisfy the first condition in Blake’s list.

I wrote about it in this thread: musician aquarius r2r dac any good?

Here is a curved ball.

The Musician Aquarius/Pegasus DACs don’t have a clock out for syncing like the Terminator. Therefore, " if " the ranking Blake wrote (below) were correct, then:

Aquarius/Pegasus + PhoenixUSB (USB interface)

would rank higher than

Aquarius/Pegasus + Gaia without its "clock in" feature engaged. (I2S interface)

Oh dear lol

 

the ranking of best sonic performance was:

1. Terminator Plus + Gaia with the Terminator Plus "clock out" feature engaged upstream to the Gaia.

2. Terminator Plus + PhoenixUSB

3. Terminator Plus + Gaia without Terminator Plus "clock out" feature engaged.

4. Mutec MC-3+ USB