Have heard innuous with usb output into chord Dacs…
I remain of the same view for me I’m only interested in the musicality and sound quality hence my view the naim streamers are the best ones for my musical enjoyment
Have heard innuous with usb output into chord Dacs…
I remain of the same view for me I’m only interested in the musicality and sound quality hence my view the naim streamers are the best ones for my musical enjoyment
Well we agree on the last bit if not on how to get there. Surprised you’ve heard a pheonix though as there are very few demo ones around. Who supplied it?
Hi Toon,
No AudioLinux.
If you look at the USB Chain you can see where I was blocking the USB power, using the VBus2, using LPSUs to feed in power using split USB cables - and using the IFI Mercury 3.
Ultimately this all got rather unwieldy, but sounded as good as the dCS NB; but, I am also very happy with the Meridian 210.
I am still using the Prestige II as my server with the 4x512GB USB sticks.
M
As always with Innuos products it seems the Phoenix is in short supply in Scotland, where are you located @dayjay ?
Really interesting stuff. While using the same principle I have a smaller and therefore a little easier to manage setup. I think if I add a LPS to my Roon Rock Nucleus I should have isolated most of my source components.
USB power & M Scaler = Power banks.
TT2 is pretty much bang on without any tweaks giving the capacitors and filters built in
Cisco & amp (potentially) are AC and on the Matrix 2 block with Chord Shawlines.
I was quite surprised by the iFi cables… especially after disconnecting the power wire on the USB3 cable so it would rely purely on the power bank 100%. Just wanted to work out if I was missing any additional trips
Well, the Meridian looks a tidy small streamer. It’s size is one of it’s main attractions to me, would slot in nicely to my current setup. I have a few spaces that easily take a TT2 / Mscaler sized device and only 1 x full width.
If the amp improves things and stays, then I’ll save a few pennies and probably add one early next year… if the amp doesn’t add enough to the mix then I’ll probably invest in one sooner
I’m in Merseyside and fortunately the excellent Doug Brady HiFi had both the Zenith Mk3 and the Phoenix in stock so I could walk in and pick up. That said I spoke to three other suppliers who were able to offer delivery inside a working week for the Phoenix
Should have them by the weekend
S
I borrowed one from my local Sevenoaks, we agreed a three week loan as I was going top do a back to back demo against the dCS NB …but, then lockdown happened. In the event I decided within a couple of days.
Looking forward to your thoughts on the Etude, not that I will be changing. the last time I listened to Chord amps in a system was about fifteen years ago and my thought was ‘meh’. Lot of water under the bridge since then.
M
Well, it shouldn’t be long before it arrives… a bit later today. Not sure what to expect. The dealer wasn’t confident enough to predict the outcome so we’ll see. It will certainly have to impress for it to stand a chance of staying as the current setup is very transparent and engaging.
If it turns out to be one of those improvements that’s hard to hear then I’d rather spend the cash elsewhere… anticipation building
if its hard to hear or subtle for you then i wouldn’t bother - for me it was obvious with my speakers and provided huge additional enjoyment, i noticed tapping feet from family members from feet that don’t usually tap.
Its ability to communicate emotion and musical flow at the same time as being super fast and water tight timing that is intriguing and seems to match the current Chord sound - its an interesting architecture that is quite different from the Naim designs
Sure the Etude can get warm with my ATCs - but seems to convect the heat away through its ventilation. For me I wish I had used a punchier amp sooner - we live and learn. I will also try the Ultima 6 which is the entry level main full size Chord power amps - to see if its additional grip and power translates to more enjoyment or is over kill for my ATCs.
Way back I used to use Cyrus mono blocks and they provided huge grip on my then ATCs, but were perhaps let down by the Cyrus preamp - and when i switched to Naim preamps i used Naim power amps,
The guy I was in contact with at Chord was saying that the Etude was basically the starting point for the Ultima Range, same technology etc… On that basis, with you liking the Etude, the Ultima 6 should be well worth a listen. Not an option here… not the room for it and most likely way over kill
Architecturally the Etude is pretty similar to the Ultima amps - although the latter is significantly beefed up in peak power and power supply - hence the full size case. I think the Ultima 6 is the only stereo power amp of that series - all the rest are mono blocks.
Yes I suspect the Ultima 6 will be an overkill for me - but I have to scratch that itch
Yeah… a pair of Chord Ultima, speakers etc, in my room and it would be like a pair of walk in headphones!
Are you mainly playing from home store on the Zenith or streaming from Qobuz/Tidal?
Both, I still think local files are slightly better but Qubuz is damned good in this set up. If I’m listening to an album from start to finish I use local files. For the radio function, which I love, or for albums I don’t own and for playlists I use both
God I hate UPS… same every time they have anything for me The door bell will probably go at 9pm
Well… not quite 9pm this time. In place and warming up!
They’ve sent it with a pair of Van den Hul Orchid XLR cables… looks rather nice in silver
No time to do any serious listening. Played two tracks
Felix Laband - Falling Off A Horse
David Munyon - California Dreamin’s
Remembered to turn the volume down first after driving speakers directly
First observations could be summed up as… effortless, transient detail, organic with a big soundstage. Seems to be a lot of low volume detail, not harsh in the slightest. Very natural sounding.
Should be interesting in doing some proper listening and comparisons. Bearing in mind this has not had time to settle in yet so very promising… I noticed my wallet sneaking off to a dark corner!
It’s good isn’t it
Bet you it sounds even better tomorrow…
BTW I find the TT2 coupling to the Etude and my Empyreans is best when the TT2 is in Hi Gain mode… it seems more dynamic, tighter as if a veil has been removed - sorry a cliché I know but can’t think of a better way of saying it.