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

“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?”

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I don't know if sampling rate capability would be an issue (for PCM recordings).

USB sounds less real than AES to me, with or without the Phoenix in my system.

I’m going to listen thru USB again with and without Phoenix, on PCM and DSD recordings.

…..sorry, no experience with I2s.

@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.

@tjag Galvanic isolation is good, what about clocking and power supply on usb input. Generally, best usb boards supplied by companies like Amanero, XMOS, provide all three of these critical needs for optimized usb input on dac.

@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.