Final Thoughts

I’ve now spent several weeks with the Innuos Phoenix USB Reclocker. It becomes clear that this component is more of a necessity than an accessory. This is the case even for casual listening. The primary reason is due to how it materializes the music. Instead of pushing everything up against the glass. It articulates sections of music with individualistic clarity. And doing so without sacrificing detail or warmth. I always feel the music is more grounded and deep yet well extended and airy. There’s simply more openness and shape to the music.

I wasn’t expecting to purchase this USB reclocker. But the main reason I am is because of its performance with voice recordings. Too many times, a lot of HiFi gear will strip the soul of the performers while polishing everything else. As far as timbre, you could still recognize who the performer is. But in regards to tone, the person sounds cold and deathly. This isn’t the case with the Phoenix.

With the Innuos Phoenix USB reclocker, it infuses warmth and texture. It’s the characteristic that makes you believe that you’re listening to a human being. There are varied weights in both harmony and melody. Each acoustic layer encompasses a variety of shades and densities. This also applies to woodwinds where it could sound smooth or coarse. Transients aren’t just crisp and clean, but are tangible. Most systems have difficulty integrating these differentials discretely. The result is sound you could feel.

In the end, it becomes a case of “you can’t unhear these things” and “ignorance is bliss.” For me, it’s tough to enjoy my digital music without the Innuos Phoneix USB reclocker. With familiar tracks, I start to hear the missing pieces…and that’s just unacceptable for this audiophile. The Phoenix unlocks the information in the music without sounding processed or forced. If you spend most of your time listening to digital music, you owe it to yourself to give this reclocker a listen.