Master Clock Talk

[russellbobby]

I bought mine used and it came with a stock cable, not sure what kind. Also tried a Gotham 75 ohm cable which was just “ ok’
Not till I tried the Harmonic Tech Copper and Silver cables purchased here from a HiFier did I realize how good the OCK 2 could sound.

 

[bodiebill2]

USB is asynchronous, meaning that its data stream does not include a clock signal, and a DAC that receives that stream applies its own clock to get the data in line. So it seems to make sense to optimize the DAC clock or connect a superior external master clock. However, all the other inputs (spdif, optical, I2S) provide their own clock data as part of their data stream. Does this mean that the quality of the (internal or external) DAC clock is of less importance in that case?
Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[MartinWT]

If you use a good external clock from a source device to the DAC via I2S, then the same clock will benefit the DAC as it is carried via the I2S connection. This is what I do, feeding my clock to the Gustard U18 which then feeds via I2S to the X26 Pro DAC.

 

[bodiebill2]

If you use a good external clock from a source device to the DAC via I2S, then the same clock will benefit the DAC as it is carried via the I2S connection. This is what I do, feeding my clock to the Gustard U18 which then feeds via I2S to the X26 Pro DAC.

So you attach the external clock only to the U18, and not to the X26? If so, this seems to confirm what I thought.
In that case, as I prefer I2S, it becomes less important for my next DAC to have a 10 MHz clock input, which gives me a broader choice.

 

[OCC7N]

So you attach the external clock only to the U18, and not to the X26? If so, this seems to confirm what I thought.
In that case, as I prefer I2S, it becomes less important for my next DAC to have a 10 MHz clock input, which gives me a broader choice.

I did try all scenarios with LHY OCK-2 R8HEmk2 DI20HE. When switching to NO(new) on R8HEmk2 I got more information in the music, its like the NO is made for masterclock input "mode".

 

[bodiebill2]

I did try all scenarios with LHY OCK-2 R8HEmk2 DI20HE. When switching to NO(new) on R8HEmk2 I got more information in the music, its like the NO is made for masterclock input "mode".

If I understand correctly, @MartinWT does not connect an external clock to his X26 (although this has an input for it) when using I2S, as this connection carries its own clock signal.
You are talking about OS settings? Do you mean N0 (N-zero), one of the two 'NOS' settings? And you say it is 'made' (?) for master clock input? Sounds like a non sequitur to me, but maybe I miss something. Which one are you using (USB, I2S, etc.)?

 

[OCC7N]

If I understand correctly, @MartinWT does not connect an external clock to his X26 (although this has an input for it) when using I2S, as this connection carries its own clock signal.
You are talking about OS settings? Do you mean N0 (N-zero), one of the two 'NOS' settings? And you say it is 'made' (?) for master clock input? Sounds like a non sequitur to me, but maybe I miss something. Which one are you using (USB, I2S, etc.)?

I heard improvement with ext clock connected to both ddc and dac. Specially in NO mode. Not N1

 

[doitttt]

try Kernel Streaming gives ,something more in the sound.
jriver.
instead of asio.
from usb dcc.

 

[bodiebill2]

I heard improvement with ext clock connected to both ddc and dac. Specially in NO mode

OK, understood, thanks!

 

[bodiebill2]

I heard improvement with ext clock connected to both ddc and dac. Specially in NO mode. Not N1

Which one are you using (USB, I2S, etc.)?

 

[OCC7N]

Which one are you using (USB, I2S, etc.)?

Ddc to dac = i2s. R8HEMK2 benefits hugely from clock alone. Kingwa does some magic with his implementation of the playback side.

 

[OCC7N]

Thats one of the reason people don’t benefit very much from masterclock, when its implemented before the chip. Sound will be locked by the chip with minimal improvement.

Thats why all Audio-gd owners notice the benefits right away. The clocks are after the chip.

My theory.

(DI20HE with masterclock give a tighter stereo image but the improvement are more noticeable on the dac, because the DI20HE is god daaamn good!)

 

[doitttt]

how to get to that theory.
in most usb dcc.
150Mmhz high speed isolator from usb to fpga.
fpga eliminating the additive jitter.brought by the 150mhz isolation chip.

therefore best to use hdmi
after that comes the clock
maybe chip for 10mhz master clock
otherwise structure the same as usb dcc
and the sound can be absolutely top notch
the 4 best usb dcc with masterclock
DI20HE
gustard u18
singxer su2
MUSICIAN PISCES

best without 10 mhz masterclock
holo red
singxer su6

 

[duffer5]

Okay team "Master Clock," I am in need of your help.
I have a AfterDark "Queen," 50 Ohm Sinewave clock on order.

I am looking to get the benefit of an external clock in my setup but am confused to where I can or should connect the clock.

Both my streamer (Hifi Rose RS130) and my DAC (Audio-GD R-7HEMK3) have internal clock inputs. The 50 Ohms is required per the DAC. I connect both devices via i2s. So where should I put the clock. On the DAC or the Streamer? I am a bit confuse why the streamer would even have a external clock input as I would think the signal would be negated once in reached the DAC?

The internal clock of the RS130 is actually pretty good as it is a OCXO clock but it is not used or should I say, "overridden," by the internal clock of the DAC if I am understanding things correct. Why even put a external clock on a streamer only since there is no DAC, won't the connected DAC always become the primary clock regardless if the DAC is using it's internal clock or connected external clock?

My assumption is that I should connect the external clock to the DAC and still use the i2s to i2s connection of the two devices. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Dandoudou]

Hi @duffer5 ,
In the setup that you describe, the DAC receives the sound from the streamer by either I2S or a coaxial port. Unlike a USB connection, the master in your case is the streamer, and the DAC is the slave. So, in theory, you should connect the 10 mHz clock to the streamer.
Once you receive the clock, you should try both options, and use the one that sounds better to your ears.

You could have avoided this dilemma by ordering a clock with more than a single output to connect it both to the streamer and the DAC. It improves further the sound.