Three POM pucks with rubber O-rings and most likely large inner springs sit asymmetrically on the server's belly to support internal parts most prone to microphonics. The power supply gets four beefier footers with three rubber half spheres each. The former we already saw on the ZENith Mk3, the latter on the PhoenixUSB. Both are compliant footers with some give. Stacked, these chassis align their DC sockets vertically to have the 30cm supplied umbilicals reach easily. Longer DC leads are available for those who wish to separate these components.
The server is a heavily stripped desktop computer with a customized BIOS and lean Linux operating system named InnuOS. That incorporates Logitech Media Server for its music library. Inside we see a plinth with anti-vibration treatment support a TEAC optical drive on top and Intel SSD drive below. HDD are out due to their moving parts and far slower access times. A Mini-ITX motherboard by SuperMicro embeds Intel's N4200 CPU, 8GB of RAM, optimized clocks and has all potential EMI sources removed. All components are quiet low-voltage types sufficiently powerful for server duties. Key aspects that differentiate the Statement from its more affordable siblings are its separate power supply and the two built-in Phoenix modules for USB and Ethernet respectively.
The PhoenixUSB platform eliminates noise on the incoming 5V line by generating its own pristine 5V and an OCXO oscillator reclocks the USB protocol but doesn't touch the audio data. This clock operates at 24MHz and sits inside in a well-shielded compartment just 2cm removed from the USB i/o chipset to reduce jitter. The entire circuit relies on its own voltage filters and regulators across two rails, one for the clock, the other for all else. The chosen USB chip incorporates no switching regulators so relies on externally regulated voltages. The PhoenixUSB modules only controls the 'USB DAC' output to make that the chosen one to output your audio data. I have no idea how the second module handles RJ45. For now that's a company secret. The daughter board next to these ports hides another oversized OCXO clock.
The PSU by Dr. Sean Jacobs of Custom HiFi Cables Ltd. starts with a medical-grade mains filter with voltage selector behind its IEC. A toroidal transformer custom-made for Innuos feeds four double rectifier boards for eight linear DC rails: two for the USB circuit, three for the motherboard, one for each the Ethernet reclocker, CPU and SSD. These DC lines exit on the two umbilicals into the upper enclosure whose twin regulation boards take over. If you're wondering why a separate power supply, sensitive electronics enjoy 'clean box' environs. Interference between parts, mechanical resonances from transformers, AC line pollution and more add harshness and grain to compromise final sound quality. That's why the main culprits are isolated in their own 'dirty' box of the outboard PSU.
