Innuos Pulsar ????
- Thread starter jadedavid
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The PhoenixUSB costs about three times as much as my PULSEmini. Do you know of a similar-acting reclocker for around $750?
In my conversations with Innuos, the only difference between the Phoenix USB and the Phoenix Lite in the Pulsar is one less power supply. I have my Pulsar on order now.
Ron,
maybe this:
3R USB RENAISSANCE MK2 BLACK STAR - Ideon Audio
3R USB Renaissance mk2 Black Star The high-end game changer The 3R Range: the master of magic re-generating, re-clocking, re-driving the USB source signal. An affordable USB conditioner device to Re Drive – Re Clock – Re Generate the USB signal. Highly improves signal transmission from the USB...
ideonaudio.com
Matt
I've been using Innuos PhoenixNET and PhoenixUSB as well as Sean Jacobs designed PSU's to power my server/streamer solutions for quite some time, my experience with all of these is that good power makes a big difference here, it could actually be the products that has answered best on fuse upgrades and a good power cables in my system.
The Phoenix products don't come cheap, and then adding a $3000 power cable makes it even worse and you start thinking if money could perhaps be better spent somewhere else, but still it does make a difference that is difficult to ignore.
I'm just trying to make a point that good power seems to be a real thing with Innuos products.
The Phoenix products don't come cheap, and then adding a $3000 power cable makes it even worse and you start thinking if money could perhaps be better spent somewhere else, but still it does make a difference that is difficult to ignore.
I'm just trying to make a point that good power seems to be a real thing with Innuos products.
I'm not sure on how good it is vs the PheonixUSB, but given my current experience with how good both Waversa LAN (ext2 and reference) products worked in my system, I would advise you to try a Waversa ext usb.
This is an interesting discussion, but one must bear in mind also that due to the two-tier nature of USB, much in USB sound quality depends as much on the DAC side implementation of USB as on the server/streamer side one, which would translate to certain systems needing as much of a USB "boost" -so to speak- as they can get to sound their best while others less so.
But while this is undoubtedly a real world necessity for some systems, it does not immediately make it a rule of thumb that can be applied in a more generalized manner.
So, from a methodological standpoint, the differences experienced in some systems would probably reveal more about these system's particular USB realities, unique for every system (a USB Achilles heel of sorts) than pertain to actual reference points relating to equipment properties.
Unfortunately, I cannot offer any comparative observations, since I have nothing to compare my Pulsar with at the moment, but the uplift in SQ is of such a nature, since it applies to a wider set of parameters than one would usually expect, that cannot be attributed to just one single aspect (e.g. Phoenix lite) and it'd rather point towards more elaborately calculated design goals (evolved mobo, ssd, power supply, layout, software, etc) that act in tandem to deliver this outstanding result.
But while this is undoubtedly a real world necessity for some systems, it does not immediately make it a rule of thumb that can be applied in a more generalized manner.
So, from a methodological standpoint, the differences experienced in some systems would probably reveal more about these system's particular USB realities, unique for every system (a USB Achilles heel of sorts) than pertain to actual reference points relating to equipment properties.
Unfortunately, I cannot offer any comparative observations, since I have nothing to compare my Pulsar with at the moment, but the uplift in SQ is of such a nature, since it applies to a wider set of parameters than one would usually expect, that cannot be attributed to just one single aspect (e.g. Phoenix lite) and it'd rather point towards more elaborately calculated design goals (evolved mobo, ssd, power supply, layout, software, etc) that act in tandem to deliver this outstanding result.
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Hi there!
Sorry to disappoint but nothing spectacular here: my NAS is a quite pedestrian QNAP HS-264 in absolutely stock form.
Cheers,
Ted
I completely get your point, there is just a delta between the performance of the PhoenixUSB and PhoenixLite which raises some questions. One question is why didn't Innuos offer the Pulsar a full PhoenixUSB solution? Did they do it to maintain the hierarchy between their best streamer and their best server? Certainly the Statement is much superior so there wouldn't be much of a competition if they offered the Pulsar a full PhoenixUSB solution.
Matt
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Thank you.Ron,
maybe this:
3R USB RENAISSANCE MK2 BLACK STAR - Ideon Audio
3R USB Renaissance mk2 Black Star The high-end game changer The 3R Range: the master of magic re-generating, re-clocking, re-driving the USB source signal. An affordable USB conditioner device to Re Drive – Re Clock – Re Generate the USB signal. Highly improves signal transmission from the USB...ideonaudio.com
Matt
Yes, and the Phoenices will get ARC6 modules to have a straight upgrade path, both are quite old now, considering that Ideon Audio launched a new reclocker for 6k.
Matt
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Yes, this is the real rub I think. Every quality DAC has its own way of streamlining USB, which will probably give varying results on how an upstream USB streamlining process works. For instance there a re DACs like Lampizator that are focused on the analog portion of the signal, vs DACs that have technically flexed their muscle around their own USB implementations.
Hi, which fuses and PC do you use? In which units to change fuses (Purple for example) would be the biggest effect by priority?
I had SR Purple in both Phoenix products and I changed them at the same time so no idea about how to prioritise between them.
I use Sablon Audio for all my cables. The power cable is quite special with the huge Bocchino plugs.
I’m currently looking over my entire digital setup where I’ve sold/selling everything with an idea of “starting over” from scratch. (PhoenixUSB for sale in Europe, PM if interested)
Hi Ron,
Many choices, to add an other one:
Based on the stellar performance of the X-SPDIF 2 I would recommend the X-SPDIF 3, even without listening @ $499.95. Eventually you can improve the SQ with a better 12V power supply unit.
X-SPDIF3 | USB Interface
www.matrix-digi.com
X-SPDIF3 | USB Interface
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Housed in it's own box the PhoenixUSB can just excel by itself, as opposed to being integrated. As a PhoenixUSB it is not the same device anymore with two independent Statement-level linear power supplies, one dedicated to the OCXO clock and the other used for powering the USB chip/5V USB line. "The final function of this Innuos is to provide an extremely clean 5V supply to the DAC. The powerline between USB devices is a major conduit for noise to get from the source to the converter, by reducing this the PhoenixUSB reduces the amount of noise entering the DAC".
Only as as a PhoenixUSB the clock will regenerate the signal in order to reclock it as accurately as possible and with as little noise as possible and do exactly what is was made for so you will hear more of everything (as long as your setup allows of course).
Based on the positive reviews that also confirms how important linear power supplies are for audio. Sean Jacobs LPS units are one of the best available.
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In addition to sidestepping a potential price increase of around $1500-2000 (?) for the Pulsar with PhoenixUSB (IF the integrated USB clock could deliver the same sound quality), this adjustment arrives at an alternate price point.
For now the price could be attributed to the modular nature of the Pulsar's USB output, (but lesser SQ).
As soon as it becomes accessible, users have the option to upgrade to their favored output, all conveniently powered by a single Sean Jacobs Linear power supply.
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Hi Ron,
Many choices, to add an other one:
Based on the stellar performance of the X-SPDIF 2 I would recommend the X-SPDIF 3, even without listening @ $499.95. Eventually you can improve the SQ with a better 12V power supply unit.
X-SPDIF3 | USB Interface
Thank you.
How do you think that compares, in sonic effect, to the Mutec 3+ USB?
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