Now I’m having a problem. I tried listening with the Phoenix and Matrix together, then with the Matrix and no Phoenix. Both worked fine. Finally, I wanted to hear the Phoenix without the Matrix. I connected the cables as illustrated in the instructions, changed the input on my DS to USB and selected the DS as the zone in Roon. My ipad display shows music playing…the sound bar is advancing and the playing time is progressing but Im not getting any sound. I tried connecting the Zenith by usb directly to the DS without the Phoenix or the matrix and still no sound. When I add in the matrix, change the DS input to i2s and select matrix as the zone in Roon, I do get sound. Also, if I add the Phoenix together with the matrix and follow the same procedures, I get sound. Ive checked and rechecked the cables In the Phoenix only and Zenith direct to DS configuration and they are correct. I’d really appreciate advice an why there is no sound in the setups I described and how to fix it. Before I had the Matrix or Phoenix and used the DS usb input, it worked fine.
Did you change the input on the DS when you took the Matrix out?
If you changed to USB input on the Directstream I think you might have to switch to it’s USB driver on your player.
Thanks for the suggestions. I already did those things. But one thing I didn’t do… I tried the quickest and easiest possibility which was power cycling the dac off and on. It worked! I’m happy to get back to the music. Let’s hope it lasts.
Odd that it wouldn’t release the I2S connection without a power cycle. That’s one for Ted.
I have the exact same problems with Innuos connected to dsd via usb. Seems to be “normal” behaviour. Usb used to work before no matter what here also,but not anymore,don´t know what happened and when.One thing to do when cable swapping is to switch dac input to any other than usb ,and then unplug cable and sometimes it works,otherwise dac reset only fixes no sound from usb problem.
Never a problem with Matrix connected with whatever output connector,only usb makes trouble sometimes.But I don´t use usb other than occasional cable testing to hear differences straight vs. Matrix i2s/optical out so no big problem.
Let us know which method you prefer and if you feel Phoenix to be worthy add on with Matrix ?
I’m still experiencing the usb input problem on my Directstream—when I switch to usb from a different input, I get no sound unless I power cycle the DS.
Now to compare three configurations I’ve been listening to:
DS with Matrix, DS with Phoenix, DS with Matrix and Phoenix. Warning-this is very preliminary and may change as I do more listening. As of now, I like the DS/Phoenix best, followed by DS/Matrix. The DS with both is running last. In fact my wife, who has better ears than me, refuses to listen to the Phoenix and Matrix together saying the sound is bloated and overemphasized. As I already said, stay tuned.
Yah - I wasn’t a fan of my matrix in line w my wyred4sound Reclocker piece either. I’m not sure what the Phoenix is.
I believe the Phoenix and the Matrix perform the same task, thus using both is incorrect. IMHO
This is a bit out of hand. Here I thought my DSDsr with roon and qobuz would get me what I wanted, but it turns out I need a matrix and tons of other things to get there. JFC
Not really. Everyone is just trying to tweak the last ounce out of everything. I have matrix w some good cables and I have it plugged into a p10 - which I had. Sure I could get a linear power supply … I just don’t feel a need as things sound swell. So what you ‘need’ …well that’s your call. 
Try the Bridge II with galvanic isolation of some sort. Much simpler path to excellent performance. You may find it much more than “good enough”. (Full disclosure: I have not tried the HDMI or USB inputs.)
The Bridge II and excellent performance do not belong in the same sentence. The DirectStream USB input sounds a little better and offers more flexibility.
I disagree. It (Ethernet via Bridge II) IS an excellent performer in my experience. But, as I noted above, I have not compared the sound quality to that of USB or HDMI/I2S in my system. That said, based on my extensive reading in this forum, many have expressed a preference for USB under circumstances that I have come to understand as requiring an arguably “complicated path” to excellent performance (as compared to that of Ethernet via the Bridge II Ethernet card). Hence, my suggestion of a “much simpler” path. YMMV.
You can disagree but you yourself have stated you have not compared the Bridge II to the other inputs so you really have no idea if what you say is correct or not. I have…and the Bridge II is poor in comparison to using the more complicated setup including an ultraRendu, the Matrix, and the I2S input of the DirectStream.
I have compared the Bridge II to other inputs so I suppose that qualifies me to say it is not rubbish. It’s actually excellent.
I have since moved onto the Matrix with LPS and RAL which I like better but that doesn’t make the Bridge II garbage.
It’s funny how random this hobby can be. I find the RUR sweetens the Matrix in a lovely way. Every time I remove the RUR, it goes back in after 30 minutes, too much clarity makes me nervous 
In this hobby some people can stop buying when what they have pleases them. Sadly, I am not one of those. I own a DSD Sr. And a DSD Jr. both are served via a Matrix, both with external linear power supplies of which I now have variations. And both utilizing some expensive cables. I love what I hear.
I also use an EtherREGEN and my Bridge2 and a couple of $200 Ethernet cables and I think soundwise it is a tie. I just switched from listening via the Matrix setup to the Bridge 2 that I am listening to now. It’s marvelous.
My point is, if you like what you hear, stop. Enjoy it.
If you believe those of us who have tried improving on that sound, an EtherREGEN, using its included power supply, and some decent Ethernet cables is a fast and relatively affordable way to obtain the same or very similar sound to using a Matrix with a $500 power supply and $1300 or more worth of cables. I do both and I believe quite strongly in the excellence of both.
I was listening to Roon Radio on the Matrix side, building a playlist. But an article I read in Absolute Sound made me want to hear some music I am unfamiliar with. So I hit pause, told Roon to switch the the Bridge and now I am listening to something new. When I switch back to the Matrix side of things I will be right back where I paused the other music.
Options are great. You have so many. Hopefully you get what you want and can be at peace with it. There is no hope for me, lol.
My two pence / cent, is the bridge inherently adds noise, a form of colouration. It can make the sound fatter / thicker masking detail, or it can make the sounder thinner and more harsh. This leads back to the old hifi argument about whether you are trying to achieve accuracy or enjoyment, because they aren’t necessarily the same thing. I’m not sure that’s helped much but there you go.
In my experience, comparing the DS Sr.’s Bridge II input to the I2S input while the Bridge II remains installed is not a fair comparison. The fair comparison is the Bridge II versus I2S after the Bridge II has been removed. The Bridge II is inherently noisy, and many have concluded that the mere act of removing it improves the sound of the other DS inputs. Comparing the sound of the Bridge II versus I2S minus the Bridge II revealed a very clear winner in my system, and it wasn’t the Bridge II. YMMV.
BTW, I sold my Bridge II, then my DS Sr. and my Matrix, so I do not have a dog in this hunt. But I still remember how startling it was to hear the DS Sr. for the first time after removing the Bridge II, which input I had long since stop using. The improvement verged on a component-level upgrade. If you want to know how good the I2S input can sound, I think removing the Bridge II is one of the best things one can do. (And the frequent Bridge II for-sale offerings on this forum suggest that others have found preferred signal paths, as well.)