Streamer Comparison

Streamer Comparison

I have been directly comparing two streamers in my system, a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Deluxe optical that I have been using for over a year and a (new to me) Innuos Stream 3 with outboard PhoenixUSB reclocker.

System

My system includes a SGC sonicTransporter i9 (Gen 4) music server connected to my network.  This server operates Roon Core, and coordinates streaming from Tidal, Qobuz, and my digital music files stored on an internal SSD.  The server connects to the Roon endpoint(s)/streamer(s) in my main system through 45-feet of either fiber optic cable or Ethernet cable.  For this comparison, both the Sonore and Innuos streamers included optical isolation.  The two units were both connected to a Merason DAC1 MkII, with the Sonore connected to the USB input and the Innuos set-up routed from the PhoenixUSB through a Singxer SU-6 DDC and then into the AES/EBU input of the DAC.

Sonore vs. Stream 3 with Phoenix

The quality of sound I heard from both of the two streamers was very good, and I would be happy to live with either set-up.  In my system, the Innuos streamer (out of the basic “DAC” USB port) into the outboard PhoenixUSB reclocker, and then through the Singxer SU-6 DDC, sounded vibrant, robust, and transparent, with a wide soundstage.  The Sonore streamer sounded more relaxed, fluid, and tonally dense, with a slightly more compact soundstage.  The sound from both was smooth and non-fatiguing, with a very quiet background.

Other Configurations

I tried the Stream 3 out of the internal S/PDIF and AES outputs (mine has the internal S/PDIF module) and I actually found the sound to be sort of dull compared to the USB option.

I also tried the Stream 3 (out of the basic “DAC” USB port) directly into the Singxer SU-6 and that combination sounded close to what I heard from the Stream 3 through the PhoenixUSB and into the Singxer SU-6. This configuration, through the SU-6 without the PhoenixUSB, sounded a bit more relaxed than when the PhoenixUSB was in the chain.

Although I did play the Stream 3 into the PhoenixUSB and then via a USB cable directly into the DAC, that configuration did not sound appreciably different to me than the same combination through the Singxer SU-6 DDC and then into the DAC via an AES cable.

Finally, I tried the Sonore streamer into the outboard Innuos PhoenixUSB reclocker and then a USB cable into the DAC.  That configuration mostly maintained the relaxed fluidity and tonal density of the Sonore on its own, while adding a bit of vibrancy and being every bit as smooth and tonally expressive as without the PhoenixUSB.

I did not try the Sonore into the PhoenixUSB and then into the Singxer SU-6, but I may do that in the future.  The main reason I use the SU-6 is for the convenience of being able to have two DACs in my system at the same time.  However, I just picked up a Topping USB Isolator (link) that has two USB outputs (switched) and will allow me to send a USB signal to one or the other of the two DACs in my main system. 

Summary

The question of which of these two streamers sounds best is more a matter of personal preference for a certain sonic profile, than a matter of one being actually better than the other.  I liked the Sonore through the PhoenixUSB and I liked the Sonore on its own.  The differences between those two options seemed to be in degrees of fluidity vs. vibrancy.  However, I also respect that many would prefer the slightly greater vibrancy and texture of the Stream 3 with PhoenixUSB.  The differences I heard were not night and day, and ether of these options would make an excellent digital source, IMO.