Unfortunately I haven’t heard what it can do so no idea as to £ / Performance. In the UK it’s about £1999 so still not what you’d call cheap. But, still wouldn’t mind hearing what it can do.
Likewise, I’d love to hear what the Audiophilleo 1 mkii with Purepower can do and how it compares. Just hard to try it given it’s an import.
Given the minimal sound difference between the Aries G1 & Roon NUC and my current USB setup direct from the Roon NUC I’m more inclined to try USB Reclocking or Audiophilleo approach. As neither are easy to try I guess I’ll continue enjoying what I have though
Have you actually heard it? It is easily the best digital front end I’ve heard when used with the MScaler and Hugo TT 2. First time I’ve been completely happy with not only digital music but the whole system sound. Worth adding it had s bigger impact than either the MScaler and the wave cable both of which were roughly the same price range
No but I have heard some of the better streamers from Linn, Naim and DCS into a Chord Dave Dac - also Auralic - I have done quite a few A/B test on USB vs SPDIF, I remain of the opinion the SPDIF is the way to go, and only use USB for DSD files
The Phoenix is just a reclocker, not a streamer, and is very expensive for what it is.
So we agree you’ve not actually heard it which makes you a little unqualified to comment if you don’t mind me saying so. I have heard it and have heard lots of good quality streamers and transports too and I consider it to be good value for money. There is more than one way to skin a cat, focusing just on one without opening your mind to others can mean you miss out on better solutions
The zenith connects to the phoenix by usb which then connects to the MScaler. MScaler connects to TT 2 by dual BNC. The phoenix had a more positive impact than the MScaler which had a more positive impact than the Wave bncs. Altogether though, into a chord amp, they work magic
And the Zenith, is that acting as the server and streamer… as in, no Roon Core / NUC before it?
With my current set up, I would only want to maximise performance from the NUC rather than add a streamer between it and the M Scaler. The iFi USB Purifier 3 has shown me what even a basic reclocker can do.
The zenith acts as both server and Roon end point, there is no streamer in between it and the MScaler. I use Roon experimental mode on it which sounds best, to my ears, whilst allowing the advantages of the Roon interface
Interesting stuff. Not going to be doing anything soon but nice to have it clear in my head as to how it works.
I’ll probably get a better power supply for the Roon NUC and a better reclocker. I was going to try a iFi micro iUSB3.0 at some point as it will work nicely with the other iFi USB3 system I have but the Phoenix is also there as a possibility… when the time comes. Especially as it is made in the UK as well.
what bothers me is the cost of the device. most of the box is the linear power supply ?
Maybe it has the effect you say it has, but the Mscaler does something very different - now I agree it’s not for everyone, but for me it is completely unique in terms of enjoying digital music replay
The Phoenix is fantastic. Without hearing it any opinion formed is meaningless, especially when comparing the innards of two totally different products. You could go forever comparing what appears to be what in different components. Pointless.
You are welcome to have whatever device you want but giving expert advice on a device you’ve never owned or heard, based on a photo off the net, to someone who owns one and who has compared to other devices in the same system takes a special kind of arrogance.
He’s already said that the Phoenix provided a bigger improvement in HIS system than the M Scaler.
He was able to come to that conclusion because he’s heard BOTH products.
Why comment on something you know nothing about. Move on.
Why would I ask chord about an innuos device? It doesn’t matter what chord say, or what you say, or anyone else. As a purchaser and user of both products I’m very able to reach an informed conclusion as to which provides best value for money in my system. What other people think or say doesn’t change how it sounds to me. Enjoy your music
@Analogmusic the ND5XS2 is a fine streamer but it already has a DAC would you say you have a problem with the price of a Dave ?
Nothing is ever straightforward in our passion for the right solution. I haven’t heard the Phoenix but I plan to soon.
I would warmly recommend to not use the USB input on Chord’s product. SPDIF is far much better and much more natural sounding. This is surely why Chord uses this interface between the M-Scaler and their dacs. A friend came with his Innuos Zenith mk3 and an expensive usb cable, a solution that is nearly 3 times the price of my spdif streamer (Wattson Emerson Digital), the sound became less natural, less coherent, it emphazised some high frequencies, to resume it sounded much more “digital” and harsh.
You’re system is the sum of its parts. Dropping another component into that system isn’t likely to result in hearing it as it can be at it’s best. My digital chain works extremely well together in my system. So well, in fact, that I sold my RP8 and NAT05XS and went digital only. If you have a set of components that works for you then that’s great, enjoy it, but this is a hobby, not a cult, and we don’t need to actively recruit one another to use the same set up we have or to constantly invoke the designers name of the device we use. Just enjoy the music, share what you have so others can learn and try not to be close minded. Given that my digital chain cost a fairly considerable amount of money you should take it for read that I tried lots of other options in my house, courtesy of my kind dealers, before I splashed out. This is my chosen set of components based ony extensive testing. Others may well choose differently