Innuos Phoenix USB Reclocker

[jacupmakeup]

Why not just upgrade from A6 to A8 with LHY LPS? And no, you won't get the same sound. Literally using the same cables, same USB LHY in the chain will get you an even better sound than just A6 with Phoenix.

I have considered it. But I assume both the Auralic or Innuos would outperform it.

 

[theveterans]

I have considered it. But I assume both the Auralic or Innuos would outperform it.

Not from impressions/anecodtal experiences with @Sajid Amit with the DMP A8 feeding his Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC where he thinks it outperforms streamers costing a lot more than the A8 from his system

Post in thread 'RAAL 1995 Immanis'

Jan 28, 2025

I would just add that it's not just the DAC, but the source/digital chain + the DAC. DAC is only 1/2 the equation

This is true. The differences in SQ between two streamers I tested was quite something: Auralic Aries G2.1 and the Eversolo DMP A8.

At less than half the cost, the DMP A8 walked al over the G2.1, to my ears.

But yeah, you are right. It's the entire damn chain!

• Sajid Amit

• 

This is true. The differences in SQ between two streamers I tested was quite something: Auralic Aries G2.1 and the Eversolo DMP A8. At less than half the cost, the DMP A8 walked al over the G2.1, to my ears. But yeah, you are right. It's the entire damn chain!

 

[Sajid Amit]

Not from impressions/anecodtal experiences with @Sajid Amit with the DMP A8 feeding his Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC where he thinks it outperforms streamers costing a lot more than the A8 from his system

Post in thread 'RAAL 1995 Immanis'

Jan 28, 2025

I would just add that it's not just the DAC, but the source/digital chain + the DAC. DAC is only 1/2 the equation

This is true. The differences in SQ between two streamers I tested was quite something: Auralic Aries G2.1 and the Eversolo DMP A8.

At less than half the cost, the DMP A8 walked al over the G2.1, to my ears.

But yeah, you are right. It's the entire damn chain!

• Sajid Amit

• 

Yeah, I was surprised. I wanted to upgrade to a $5K streamer to go with my Mola Mola Tambaqui and Audma Maestro HPA1 headphone amp driving the Immanis.

Got an outstanding deal on the Auralic Aries G2.1 as well. Brought it home to test and kept it for two days and also invited other audiophiles to see if they heard what I was hearing.

Keeping the A8 for sure for now and looking forward to trying the A10 and the N20 from Aurender as well at a later point. It's a bigger price jump with the N20, doesn't do Wifi, but it's supposed to be an amazing streamer, so let's see. Also excited to try the A10, although I am not sure about its aesthetics. Looks more like an integrated amp than a streamer with those massive heat sinks and form factor.

 

[OnlySoMany]

Antipodes k50?

 

[jacupmakeup]

Yeah, I was surprised. I wanted to upgrade to a $5K streamer to go with my Mola Mola Tambaqui and Audma Maestro HPA1 headphone amp driving the Immanis.

Got an outstanding deal on the Auralic Aries G2.1 as well. Brought it home to test and kept it for two days and also invited other audiophiles to see if they heard what I was hearing.

Keeping the A8 for sure for now and looking forward to trying the A10 and the N20 from Aurender as well at a later point. It's a bigger price jump with the N20, doesn't do Wifi, but it's supposed to be an amazing streamer, so let's see. Also excited to try the A10, although I am not sure about its aesthetics. Looks more like an integrated amp than a streamer with those massive heat sinks and form factor.

Very interesting. I wonder how the digital side of the new Eversolo ME Gen 2 compares to the a8.
Can you describe the difference in SQ between the two? Why did you prefer the Eversolo? I'm looking for a more organic, natural sound over resolution. Thanks.

 

[Sajid Amit]

Very interesting. I wonder how the digital side of the new Eversolo ME Gen 2 compares to the a8.
Can you describe the difference in SQ between the two? Why did you prefer the Eversolo? I'm looking for a more organic, natural sound over resolution. Thanks.

Quick summary:

G2.1: Meaty, thick, lush, overly colored even, midbassy, vocals very forward, definite wow-factor, but somehow unmistakably boring after a few tracks. Might even be more detailed.

A8: Honestly, this just sounds right and natural, and uncolored. My DAC and amp provide their own color as do my headphones so all that is there, but the A8 just gets out of the way, and sounds natural to me.

 

[theveterans]

G2.1: Meaty, thick, lush, overly colored even, midbassy, vocals very forward, definite wow-factor, but somehow unmistakably boring after a few tracks. Might even be more detailed.

Jeez this reminds me of an iPad as a streamer hehe (without the air and microdetails)

 

[Jake2]

@jacupmakeup

Not quite the same as the comparison above, with the Aries 2.2 rather than the 2.1 (supposedly a good step up over the 2.1 per one of the commenters in the vid below) and the A6 ME w/ LPS upgrade rather than A8, but this well recorded YT comparison may be of interest. The house sound of each comes through clearly enough and for the Auralic matches - the positives at least to my ears - of what Sajid described. No doubt system synergy plays a part, here Greg preferred the Auralic in his T+A DAC 200 Weiss 204 + Qualio system. Yes it’s over YT with all the usual caveats but to me over a decent dongle DAC & headphones my pref was definitely the 2.2 at the top for its richer more lilting sound with longer decay, more engaging to me reminiscent of what I recall if the Phoenix USB when I was loaned it. 2.2 > Rs130 > A6ME

 

[jacupmakeup]

Quick summary:

G2.1: Meaty, thick, lush, overly colored even, midbassy, vocals very forward, definite wow-factor, but somehow unmistakably boring after a few tracks. Might even be more detailed.

A8: Honestly, this just sounds right and natural, and uncolored. My DAC and amp provide their own color as do my headphones so all that is there, but the A8 just gets out of the way, and sounds natural to me.

Thanks for that. Have to say though, the G2.1 attributes you’ve described sound like what I’m seeking. But I can see what you’re saying.

 

[silversurfer616]

Also recommend Antipodes, and not just because I live in New Zealand. It’s the people behind the brand and a customer service that’s unparalleled.

 

[Stellabagpuss]

Looks like ASR are trying to increase traffic l...
There latest item to condem...
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...uos-phoenix-usb-reclocker-review.61000/page-2

I really hate this type of review...

 

[Whazzzup]

Looks like ASR are trying to increase traffic l...
There latest item to condem...
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...uos-phoenix-usb-reclocker-review.61000/page-2

I really hate this type of review...

Internet poll of netizens, scientifically valid and objective first hand knowledge. lol

 

[TheR0v3r]

Quick summary:

G2.1: Meaty, thick, lush, overly colored even, midbassy, vocals very forward, definite wow-factor, but somehow unmistakably boring after a few tracks. Might even be more detailed.

A8: Honestly, this just sounds right and natural, and uncolored. My DAC and amp provide their own color as do my headphones so all that is there, but the A8 just gets out of the way, and sounds natural to me.

Recently sold my Auralic Aries G2.1 after having had it for quiet some time. You describe its sound signature well - I now believe that being ”unmistakably boring” is down to the Aries being somewhat underpowered. Anyway, switched to a SOtM sMS-200ultra that is more inline with how you describe the A8. But..

For the longest time I thought that streamers were the panacea for the complexity of USB, now I’m not so sure. It seems to me that we shift from the complexity of different hardware with USB to the complexity of different hardware AND software with streamers.

Alas, my adventure ended with me selling also the SOtM. Now I’m back to using an USB ”reclocker” (iFi Micro iUSB3.0) with a DDC (Stahl-Tek A.B.C.). The irony is that it is where my adventure with streamers (iFi, Innuous, Auralic and SOtM) started several years ago.

Edit: Forgot about the Innuos Phoenix USB I had along the way.

 

[AudioOzMarc]

Congratulations on a wonderful setup!

I’d like to share my experience of a very similar setup:

<Switch> -> <Roon Core> -> Intona/Neotech/Supra USB -> <Reclocker> Shunyata Omega USB -> >DAC>

After alot of experimenting I ended up using the better USB cable from reclocker to DAC. Shunyata’s Ethernet and USB cables are the best I’ve heard, however I did find that using a ”lesser” USB cable running to the reclocker didn’t make a major difference vs using a Shunyata in that positiion. Again, in that particular setup but using several different reclockers incl Phoenix USB.

Both the Phoenix USB and Net are, somewhat surprisingly, sensitive to power cables. Alos tried different Shunyata’s but consider Venom NR the pick of the bunch (given the price difference).

Hopefully there’s something here that you’ll find useful.

Edit: Spelling.

Hi again TheR0v3r,

Sorry to bring up a somewhat older post, but have been saving pennies, and have a possibility of a run out deal on a Shunyata Omega USB (thanks to new Omega X).

I remembered your post and how your Shunyata Omega USB had more impact post Innuos PhoenixUSB rather than pre, as opposed to what I heard with my Shunyata Alpha USB.

I am trying to understand why before obviously trying it out when I get the new Omega USB cable.

Your system flow was:

<Switch> -> <Roon Core> -> Intona/Neotech/Supra USB -> <Reclocker> Shunyata Omega USB -> >DAC>

If you don't mind can you please provide more details around the above Switch and Roon Core functions pre USB cables? I know you talked about Shunyata Omega Ethernet and Innuos PhoenixNet, so I assume that is part of the equation?

Somewhat scared to ask the above, as I can see myself hunting for PhoenixNet and Omega Ethernet when the wallet recovers.

Cheers Marcus

 

[TheR0v3r]

Hi again TheR0v3r,

Sorry to bring up a somewhat older post, but have been saving pennies, and have a possibility of a run out deal on a Shunyata Omega USB (thanks to new Omega X).

I remembered your post and how your Shunyata Omega USB had more impact post Innuos PhoenixUSB rather than pre, as opposed to what I heard with my Shunyata Alpha USB.

I am trying to understand why before obviously trying it out when I get the new Omega USB cable.

Your system flow was:

<Switch> -> <Roon Core> -> Intona/Neotech/Supra USB -> <Reclocker> Shunyata Omega USB -> >DAC>

If you don't mind can you please provide more details around the above Switch and Roon Core functions pre USB cables? I know you talked about Shunyata Omega Ethernet and Innuos PhoenixNet, so I assume that is part of the equation?

Somewhat scared to ask the above, as I can see myself hunting for PhoenixNet and Omega Ethernet when the wallet recovers.

Cheers Marcus

This feels like ages ago.

Alot has happened with my system since then, I actually traded my Shunyata Omega USB for a Shunyata Omega Ethernet. Apart from trading cables I’ve been experimenting with digital interfaces and reclockers together with USB cables. Here is what I wrote in another thread:

I want to expand on my reasoning behind not changing USB cables. However, before I do that I want to extend my appreciation to @theveterans for sharing insights into how sound and different technical properties relates to system development. Thanks!

Based on the understanding of which properties in an USB cable are key to performance when using a reclocker/isolator my reasoning is:

- Source to reclocker/isolator: In this position the priority is a ”cable that is musical, smooth and effortless”. Looking back at the ones I’ve used in my system there are several cables that fit the bill, amongst them the Shunyata Omega. I’m not able to make a direct comparison with the Furutech because I’ve sold the Omega, but going from memory the performance of the Furutech is on par with the Shunyata in this particular context. How much better can it get?

- Reclocker/isolator to DAC/DDC: In this position the priority is a cable that is ”most transparent”. Looking back at the ones I’ve used in my system nothing beats the Unique Innovation Technology USB-PMB. Neither the Intona Reference or Shunyata Omega was better here. Given the performance of the UIT it makes no sense for me to put time and effort into finding another, ”better” USB cable.

Please note that the comments on the Shunyata Omega USB is in this very particular context AND with the Omega Ethernet in my chain:

<Switch> -> Ethernet -> iMac w/ Audirvana —> Furutech GT2 NCF USB -> <Reclocker> -> UiT USB-PMB USB -> <DDC> -> AES -> <DAC>