Teac 10MHz clock : CG - 10M

[wgscott]

Wow, thanks for this post.  The clock sounds like it will cost a bit more than the NT-503 DAC that I have, but I'll probably find some reason I can't go on with life without having this.

 

I wonder if it would make an audible improvement in my rather modest system?

[wgscott]

OK, so I guess the main point is for a conventional digital stereo system, there is no reason to have this clock, but for other applications there is a genuine purpose:

 

Quote

Overall, it should be clear from these tests that employing an external master clock cannot and will not improve the sound quality of a digital audio system. It might change it, and subjectively that change might be preferred, but it won't change things for the better in any technical sense. A‑D conversion performance will not improve: the best that can be hoped for is that the A‑D conversion won't become significantly degraded. In most cases, the technical performance will actually become worse, albeit only marginally so.

Having said all this, the use of a master clock may well make a digital audio system much more convenient and stable to operate — and that may well be a very desirable benefit in its own right, easily outweighing any minor performance compromises of slaved A‑D converters. Or it may ensure the required synchronism between sample rates and video frames is achieved, which is absolutely vital in any video‑related work. 

 

The obvious conclusion is that in simple digital audio setups a master clock is usually unnecessary, although it remains critical that multiple digital devices are clocked sensibly. In more elaborate digital audio systems, a master clock can make the task of slaving multiple units much easier and neater, and allow the system to operate more reliably. In systems where digital audio is being used in synchronism with video, an appropriate master clock is absolutely essential. But in any of these cases, the use of a master clock will not improve the audio quality achieved by the converters in any technical sense — and the most expensive clocks fare no better in this regard than the least expensive. The only relevant criteria for purchase is whether the clock provides the facilities, inputs and outputs required, and is designed sufficiently well to conform with AES11 Grade 1 standard.  

 

[wgscott]

21 minutes ago, GUTB said:

Although external clocks do increase jitter, it's a FACT there is a widely reporting increase in SQ.

 

That's not just audiophoolery, but genuine recording studio feedback. You'll note that these high end clock upgrades first appeared to gain traction in the studio market and then branched out into consumer level products.

 

In the end of the day, my ears will be the judge. 

 

Just like it is a FACT that Class D amps suck.  What an amazingly compelling argument.

 

Studios typically deal in more than two channels.

 

Someone's signal to noise ratio could use a little improvement.