Innuos PhoenixI2S Board

Output Module for STREAM3, ZEN Next-Gen, and ZENith Next-Gen

I2S is the digital interface that DAC designers wish every source used. Where USB and S/PDIF require the DAC to receive a serial stream and decode it — introducing a digital receiver stage with its own noise and conversion overhead — I2S sends the clock and data signals separately, directly to the DAC chip. No receiver. No reconstruction. The DAC sees the cleanest possible input at the lowest possible jitter. The PhoenixI2S Board delivers that interface from inside your STREAM3 or ZEN Next-Gen chassis, via HDMI.

The board runs a 3ppb 24MHz main clock with two additional FemtoClocks dedicated to the audio path. FemtoClocks are among the most precise oscillator technologies available for audio applications — phase noise performance that lets the DAC chip do its job without fighting against timing errors from the source. The clocking here is more elaborate than the PhoenixUSB Board, which reflects what I2S demands: when you're feeding data directly to the DAC chip, the clock you send is the clock the chip uses. There's no reclocking on the DAC side to fall back on.

Eight HDMI pin configurations are supported, covering the I2S implementations used by PS Audio, Denafrips, Gustard, Matrix, and other manufacturers who use HDMI for I2S. Not every DAC maps its I2S pins the same way — the eight configurations cover the most common arrangements, but confirm your DAC's pinout before purchasing.

DSD support extends to DSD1024 — the highest resolution the format reaches — because I2S is the only interface capable of carrying it. USB caps at DSD512 in most implementations; S/PDIF tops out at DSD64 via DoP. If your DAC supports DSD1024 and you want to hear what that actually sounds like, I2S is the only path.

Who It's For

The PhoenixI2S Board is for listeners with a DAC that has a well-implemented I2S input and who want the highest possible interface quality between their Innuos source and that DAC. It's a specialist choice — I2S isn't universal, and the improvement over a well-implemented PhoenixUSB Board is system-dependent. But in the right pairing, it's the cleanest connection available from the platform.

Compatibility

• STREAM3: compatible
• ZEN Next-Gen: compatible
• ZENith Next-Gen: compatible
• STREAM1: not compatible

DAC I2S compatibility: confirm your DAC's HDMI I2S pin configuration matches one of the eight supported arrangements before ordering. We can help you check.

Specifications

• Interface: I2S via HDMI connector
• Main Clock: 3ppb 24MHz OCXO
• Audio Clocks: Two FemtoClocks dedicated to audio path
• HDMI Pin Configurations: 8 (covering major I2S DAC implementations)
• PCM Support: Up to 32bit/768kHz
• DSD Support: Native DSD up to DSD1024
• Power: Independent power supply stage within host chassis
• Installation: Factory-fitted at time of purchase or retrofitted later

If you're not sure whether your DAC's I2S input will work with one of the eight pin configurations, or whether I2S is the right choice over the PhoenixUSB Board for your specific DAC, reach out before you order. It's an easy question to answer with the right information.