Innuos Zen Mini Mk II with an Ayre Codex

Updating this thread...I did get the Innuos Zen mimi mk2 to work with the Ayre Codex. After the Innuos 1.4.6 firmware update the USB connection appeared to be less touchy and all cables worked through the USB 2.0 jack.I sent the Codex back to Ayre to resolve several other problems, which they remedied under warranty. When it returned, it would not work at all from the USB 2.0 jack of the Mini, but happily did work on the USB 3.0 output.Happy with the sound, I was able to find a used Innuos Zen mk 2. Unfortunately it does not link at all with the Codex. Not with any cable I have, nor at either latency setting. The Zen mk 2 has only one USB output, no Toslink. The Zen does link correctly with the USB input on my Oppo 105, and through a Schiit Eitr into a Theta Gen Va. The sound of the Zen is better than the Zen mini.I have been in touch with both Ayre and Innuos. interestingly, both inquired as to whether the problem was the same with a generic USB cable.(the answer is same problem). The only special cable I have is a Straight Wire USB Link, which is not exotic, simply made with "better" materials.Since the Zen mini mk ii still works into the Codex (but only thru the USB 3.0 jack), and since it was just recently serviced by Ayre, they maintain it is operating correctly. They have communicated with Innuos, confimed their USB input is "class 2 compliant", and offered to work with them to resolve this type of issue. In talking further with them about cables, they confirm that because their input is asychronous, with 2-way communication, there is a requirement for high speed data transfer.The Codex does need the 5V power, and they suggested the Cardas Hi-Speed USB cable. This is a dual cable, but with only one A input plug.Not wanting to spend $400 on a possible solution, I have found a Pangea XL USB dual cable with seperate A plugs for power and data (I plan to put the power plug into the backup jack on the Zen).To summarize, it appears that some USB connections can be very cable sensitive.
It is a shame that such difficulties can arise between equipment brands, for which each manufacturer has a reputation for attention to good sound.If any Audiogoners have direct experience with this type of problem, I would appreciate their information.

Try to insert an Intona Isolator via USB. Alternatively an Uptone IsoRegen will likely solve the issue. The problem most likely relates to timing synchronisation of the USB data stream

Interesting suggestion, so I looked them up. Don't think it would help. My understanding is that the asychronous USB input on the Ayre depends on the clock in the Ayre dac to control the timing by calling for the data from the server to keep a buffer full. This means there is a 2-way transfer of data, which seems to be the disturbing difference. The Zen also seems to have a 2GB RAM cache, storing the data before transfer, which may be complicating the situation. Its beyond me. I can't believe I'm the only one trying to use an Innuos server with a Codex.

I received the dual Pangea cable yesterday. It did nothing to resolve the problem between the Innuos Zen Mk2 and the Ayre Codex. However, I did perceive an improvement in the "reality of the vocal image" listening to Allison Krauss when used from the Zen mini mk2 using the USB 3.0 jacks into the Codex.I am still waiting on Innuos to procure a Codex to figure out the problem.

I'm still not able to resolve that the Innuos Zen mk ii will not link with the Ayre Codex. Innuos has turned my question over to R&D. I found a reference on the web that there is a bug in the Linux kernel that causes a problem with all brands (naming Aurilic, Ayre, Aesthetix, Berkeley, Jeff Rowland) using the Wavelength protocol for USB connections and another reference with problems for the Allo USBridge. I forwarded the info to Innuos, Ayre and Wavelength last week. Waiting on a response.