Is usb reclocking necessary?

I used a pretty good one (Mutec MC-3+USB) into a $6k DAC-Preamp on the Stereophile "A" list. There was a positive difference. Then, I got a newer DAC-preamp ($4k), and I found that the reclocker added harshness to the sound.

My conclusion: this is just as system-specific as power conditioners and maybe even cables. Try to be objective when you evaluate a reclocker in your own system, and don’t buy anything that can’t be returned for full credit. And finally, don’t listen to technical arguments for and against, as many of them are just BS. Listen to the sound with your own ears, in your own system, and if at all possible, make blind comparisons.

I have an Innuos Zenith mk 3 with the reclocker. It only made a slight difference in my system. I think the key is how good your DAC’s USB implementation is. I run a Terminator Plus which is known to have a great USB input.  We all tend to look for sound upgrades to our systems that don't require large expenditures.  Perhaps a better strategy is to bank that cash. and invest in better speakers that truly have a large impact on SQ.

I see this discussion came back to life after over 2 years. As the OP, I think I dropped the ball by not following up after trying and buying a Innuos Phoenix USB reclocker for my Zenith MK3. I found an outlet in Nashville that demos Innuos reclockers for the price of shipping- very reasonable. There was no question, after playing less than a track, that I had to have one. It made a huge SQ difference in my system. There is much more clarity. I’m 1 piece short of a Innuos Statement equivalent. Haven’t convinced myself yet to get the Innuos switch.

OP,

Thanks for the follow up. Good to know. 

Another way of skinning this cat is to add a 10m clock to the dac where the dac’s got the necessary BNC input. Since most dacs don’t contain $7000+ clocks that way you skin two cats in one fell swoop: better conversion clocking on the dac and better USB clocking on the slaved streamer. Not what InnuOS wants you to do but highly effective; and while you are at it: the 10m clock can equally be used on the ethernet switch, whether Etherregen or other (again provided it has the necessary BNC input) killing multiple birds with one clock (ooopppss….)

Now then: some designers insist external clocks don’t benefit sound quality (Ed Meitner et al) Numerous equally reputable designers, the likes of MSB, DCS, Esoteric et al beg to disagree with that view as does my listening experience.