To clock or not to clock?

...and to wrap all this up (hopefully) the 1 pps clock signal (if used) and the master clock generator 10 MHz clock signal (if used) increase the timing precision, lower the jitter, and lower the phase noise of the master clock signal. Which yields sonic benefits when you sync the digital source to the DAC/player. All this stuff can be physically hooked up together, but when you select from the MENU "CLOCK SYNC OFF" in the DAC only the master sound discrete clock is used as the master clock timing reference. The master sound discrete clock is always in the circuit.
 
Why would the clock not work if you use USB out from the source? I would be USB to DAC then 10 MHz connection from DAC to clock.

Bottomline the clock would not do me any good because I only have the DAC with the 10 MHz connection?

...and to wrap all this up (hopefully) the 1 pps clock signal (if used) and the master clock generator 10 MHz clock signal (if used) increase the timing precision, lower the jitter, and lower the phase noise of the master clock signal. Which yields sonic benefits when you sync the digital source to the DAC/player. All this stuff can be physically hooked up together, but when you select from the MENU "CLOCK SYNC OFF" in the DAC only the master sound discrete clock is used as the master clock timing reference. The master sound discrete clock is always in the circuit.
 
Why would the clock not work if you use USB out from the source?


Why would what clock not work, the master sound discrete clock? or the external clock?

USB input uses the master sound discrete clock as the master clock, not the external clock. It's designed that way.
 
Why would what clock not work, the master sound discrete clock? or the external clock?

USB input uses the master sound discrete clock as the master clock, not the external clock. It's designed that way.
I’m a bit confused here myself .. are you saying that an external clock makes zero improvement over the internal clock in the Esoteric DACS? Although the signal via USB uses the clock in the dac I had thought an external clock even in that scenario would improve upon the internal clock in the dac. Is that not the case?

George
 
Block diagram for D1X and N-01XD shows master clock pathway to USB interface. For K1X it does not. Who knows. This question is best answered by Esoteric. It might be device dependent, by design.
 
Block diagram for D1X and N-01XD shows master clock pathway to USB interface. For K1X it does not. Who knows. This question is best answered by Esoteric. It might be device dependent, by design.
Agree its not totally clear because even in the features section of the K1XSE on Estoeric’s website its states.. “The K1X SE can also be connected to the Grandioso G1X external master clock generator to improve sound quality by synchronizing the internal circuitry to an even more accurate 10 MHz clock.” Not sure if that is only for CD playback or for all playback. I would have assumed its all playback but who knows!

George
 
Agree its not totally clear because even in the features section of the K1XSE on Estoeric’s website its states.. “The K1X SE can also be connected to the Grandioso G1X external master clock generator to improve sound quality by synchronizing the internal circuitry to an even more accurate 10 MHz clock.” Not sure if that is only for CD playback or for all playback. I would have assumed its all playback but who knows!

George
Any clarification from Esoteric on this point?
 
Has anyone compared one of the new Esoteric SE model DAC/PLayers with its featured "Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player" with and without an external master clock generator attached? Using a quality external clock with an Esoteric player used to be highly recommended? Should one still expect a big uplift in performance? As significant as with models prior to the SE models? Please describe how the sound is enhanced.
 
Has anyone compared one of the new Esoteric SE model DAC/PLayers with its featured "Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player" with and without an external master clock generator attached? Using a quality external clock with an Esoteric player used to be highly recommended? Should one still expect a big uplift in performance? As significant as with models prior to the SE models? Please describe how the sound is enhanced.
I compared the Esoteric K-05XD, K03XD SE and K01XD SE with and without the G-05 clock. Amps were N05XD and S-05, speakers Sonus Faber Amati latest version, cables from Audioquest.
Note, that the amps and the clock are the cheapest series within Esoteric's program.

The K-05XD benefited the most from the presence of the G-05 clock, which was to be expected.
Even with the K01XD SE, the clock gave more space and quietness and a more powerful display, but using the more expensive G-01XD here is more obvious.
Better imaging, more space around, more powerful sound in general were the most obvious differences.

The salesman and I sometimes heard little or no difference between the K03XD SE with the G-05 clock and the K01XD SE without the clock.
That's why I bought the K03XD SE, especially with the intention of buying a separate clock.
I'm going to listen again later to the differences between the G-05 and the more expensive G-01XD clock, which was not available now.
I expect a lot from the G-01XD, especially also with the use of a better clock cable, e.g. the Shunyata Sigma V2 clock 50 cable, which received much praise here.

The representative from Esoteric said the following about the G-01XD and G1X:
Let me say that the G-01XD is really a beautiful product that will lead to a significant and very audible improvement with a K-03XD-SE.
Sonically, the Grandioso G1X provides just a little more peace and a stronger solid 'bubble' of sound that surrounds the listening position.
In terms of detail and sound signature, there is not really a big difference between the two. It's just the way and the ease with which the sound is presented in the space.
The G1X clearly takes it a step further.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable set to listen to, so much so that I am also considering purchasing the amplifier set, preferably higher up the chain.

So I would like to hear more experiences of the Grandioso C1X solo and the Grandioso S1X, also a very beautiful set indeed.
 
I compared the Esoteric K-05XD, K03XD SE and K01XD SE with and without the G-05 clock. Amps were N05XD and S-05, speakers Sonus Faber Amati latest version, cables from Audioquest.
Note, that the amps and the clock are the cheapest series within Esoteric's program.

The K-05XD benefited the most from the presence of the G-05 clock, which was to be expected.
Even with the K01XD SE, the clock gave more space and quietness and a more powerful display, but using the more expensive G-01XD here is more obvious.
Better imaging, more space around, more powerful sound in general were the most obvious differences.

The salesman and I sometimes heard little or no difference between the K03XD SE with the G-05 clock and the K01XD SE without the clock.
That's why I bought the K03XD SE, especially with the intention of buying a separate clock.
I'm going to listen again later to the differences between the G-05 and the more expensive G-01XD clock, which was not available now.
I expect a lot from the G-01XD, especially also with the use of a better clock cable, e.g. the Shunyata Sigma V2 clock 50 cable, which received much praise here.

The representative from Esoteric said the following about the G-01XD and G1X:
Let me say that the G-01XD is really a beautiful product that will lead to a significant and very audible improvement with a K-03XD-SE.
Sonically, the Grandioso G1X provides just a little more peace and a stronger solid 'bubble' of sound that surrounds the listening position.
In terms of detail and sound signature, there is not really a big difference between the two. It's just the way and the ease with which the sound is presented in the space.
The G1X clearly takes it a step further.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable set to listen to, so much so that I am also considering purchasing the amplifier set, preferably higher up the chain.

So I would like to hear more experiences of the Grandioso C1X solo and the Grandioso S1X, also a very beautiful set indeed.
Were you playing CDs/SACDs or from a server or streaming?

I have a C1X solo driving a Luxman M-10X and Magico S3 2023s. Terrific, very refined pre.
 
Were you playing CDs/SACDs or from a server or streaming?

I have a C1X solo driving a Luxman M-10X and Magico S3 2023s. Terrific, very refined pre.
I am playing only CDs/SACDs, but i am planning to buy a streaming device later. Not in a hurry with this.
 
Were you playing CDs/SACDs or from a server or streaming?

I have a C1X solo driving a Luxman M-10X and Magico S3 2023s. Terrific, very refined pre.
To further clarify, during the listening session we only played CDs, not even SACDs. This would perhaps have made the differences even clearer.
Good to hear about the C1X solo, hopefully I can listen to it somewhere, not easy here yet.
 
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