Thread: Esoteric announce new master clock generator G-05

G-05 | OVERVIEW | ESOTERIC:Japan high-end audio manufacturer | エソテリック

No news on pricing?

As far as I know pricing not announced yet. But I'd have an educated guess it would be around the US$5K price point. I'm not a fan of the new shape.

as an Esoteric newbie, who just purchased an Esoteric T1 turntable plus the Esoteric G1X clock a few months ago, my first reaction was that this is a step up beyond my G1X clock. looking closer it seems this G-05 is a less costly version of the master clock and does not improve on the G1X. correct?

was thinking i had to ask my dealer about an upgrade cost, then looked closer.

It's a 05 series. It's way lower than G1X in the pecking order.

If I spent multiples of $5,000 to $6,000 on a ‘new’ clock, I would be pretty upset if a new model outperformed it and a fraction less.
Why on earth would Esoteric do that?

Rest assured. G-05 would not outperform G1X. The question is, would G-05 outperform G-02X?

Of course, I would buy a top of line Cybershaft and buy tons of SACDs with the savings.

Very interesting. Also interesting Esoteric discontinued all their previous clocks (other than the Grandioso) months ago. And this is a “05”. The higher the number with the Esoteric the further down the tier quality and price. Likely a new, better, more expensive master clock is coming, like G-03 or a new G-01.

I had reached out to Esoteric (North America) about the new G-05 master clock. I asked about prices in US (if available) and how it compares to the previous G-01x and G-02x. Here is the reply copy/paste:

U.S. pricing is tentatively $6,500, which is what the previous G-02X sold for. On paper, the G-05 and G-02X will appear perhaps identical in specification, but specs can’t directly equate to sonics. There are too many impacting factors to an audio component for its performance to be reduced simply to a spec. The G-05 utilizes a version of the new Master Sound Discrete Clock, first revealed last year in the Grandiioso-G1X. So I expect great things from the device.



Neither the G-05 or G-02X can be directly compared to the G-01X. The underlying oscillator technology is completely different. The G-01X used Rubidium for it’s oscillator core, where the G1X, G-05, and the former G-02X use or used Crystal.



Availability in the U.S. for the G-05 should begin in September.

Actually that's a pretty good answer from Esoteric USA. Sure, there is room between G-05 and G1X for another clock model. My guess it will be a G-03. Esoteric have never had a clock in the 05 series before, this is a first. The predicted MSRP is slightly north of what I was expecting.

It looks like the G-05 is being released by the end of this month or early October with a confirmed US MSRP of $5,000

OK it will be obvious I never used a clock before. I looked on the website under "features" & "specs", I see four BNC outputs but no mention of inputs. Any inputs and what type? Where does this go in the chain?

Whoever gets one first I want a report

There are no inputs with master clock generators. Just outputs. You would connect a BNC coax cable (preferably 50 Ohms) from the output of the Master Clock generator (like the Esoteric G-05) to the clock input of the device that has those inputs. Most don’t. Said devices (DACs, CD transports, streamers, etc.) must have a master clock 10 MHz inputs for this to be useful/ work.

Originally Posted by thyname

...with a confirmed US MSRP of $5,000

Post #3...I was right on the money, do I win a prize?

So does the signal flow into the clock and back out on same cable?

Originally Posted by thyname

There are no inputs with master clock generators. Just outputs. You would connect a BNC coax cable (preferably 50 Ohms) from the output of the Master Clock generator (like the Esoteric G-05) to the clock input of the device that has those inputs. Most don’t. Said devices (DACs, CD transports, streamers, etc.) must have a master clock 10 MHz inputs for this to be useful/ work.

Originally Posted by brodricj

Post #3...I was right on the money, do I win a prize?

Yes you were! Definitely more accurate prediction than the actual Esoteric rep for North America

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

So does the signal flow into the clock and back out on same cable?

No. Clock signal flows one way. Source to target. Apologies for not being able to explain it to you. I thought I did, but it sounds like I failed?

Source to target to me is my Aurender ACS10 going into my N05xd. It looks like the G05 hooks to my N05xd via the BNC cable. I don't understand how or what the G05 does. Did I mention I was new to this clock stuff, LOL

My friend has an Auralic set up with the Sirius, his pieces seems to daisy chain via USB. The Esoteric set up is quite different. My Aurender doesn't connect does it?

Originally Posted by thyname

No. Clock signal flows one way. Source to target. Apologies for not being able to explain it to you. I thought I did, but it sounds like I failed?

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

It looks like the G05 hooks to my N05xd via the BNC cable.

Yes indeed. I have the Esoteric N-01XD myself.

Does your Aurender have any clock input? Meaning any input that says “clock”?

Aurender ACS10 does not have CLOCK input. And just to be clear about using external clock with Esoteric. If the source is connected via USB the Esoteric does not use the external clock reference and its CLOCK light will be green (instead of blue).

Originally Posted by brodricj

And just to be clear about using external clock with Esoteric. If the source is connected via USB the Esoteric does not use the external clock reference and its CLOCK light will be green (instead of blue).

With all due respect, this is incorrect. You can have Esoteric connected to a USB source, and still sync its clock with an external master clock generator. I have tried this before in my N-01XD with a Mutec Ref 120 SE. As a matter of fact, I do this right now, using my Jay’s Audio CDT3 MK3 transport to reclock my Esoteric, while playing via my Innuos connected to USB input in my Esoteric. Change the out clock settings in Esoteric menu, the light turns blue and locks in solid. No issues whatsoever. Whether playing through the CDT3 MK3, or through the Innuos via USB, or through the network bridge built in the N-01XD.

By the way, I placed an order yesterday for the new Esoteric G-05. Whether it arrives at the end of this month or in October, I should be receiving a unit from the first batch

D1X does not behave like that, and it says so in the owners manual. What i said I should qualify with that.

Not sure about N-05XD

Do you have a master clock generator? Looking at the manual for D1X I think it should work. Even if connected to a source (such a streamer) via USB. As far as I know, if a streamer is connected via USB to the DAC, its clock is “slaved” to the DAC’s clock. Obviously, ideally both source and DAC would be getting a clock signal from the same master clock generator (I.E the Esoteric G line of master clocks, current gen or old)

I think there is a translation from Japanese mis-understanding of that part of the manual. I had a support issue with my D1X and clocking and the reply came back from Esoteric factory that if you clock the DAC but not the source then the last data bit can be dropped and you end up with odd behavior. My understanding of the conclusion of all that is source and DAC must both be clocked, and for USB sources the clock sync should always be set to off. For example, if using N-03T USB to D1X then clock must be set to off. If using other N-03T digital output to D1X then clock sync can be on for both, or off for both, but not on for one and off the other. But the reading of the English manual does not make that clear.

Brodricj is correct, no BNC on ACS10. It's just a transport/server with no DAC. It's just Ethernet in, USB out.

I have learned when using the G05 it does only need the one connection BNC and then it would take over the duty of the internal clock of the N05xd.

When using an USB in/out type set up the clocks piggyback.

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

I have learned when using the G05 it does only need the one connection BNC and then it would take over the duty of the internal clock of the N05xd.

When using an USB in/out type set up the clocks piggyback.

Bingo! Exactly what I said a while ago. See post #26 above.

You are like my wife: when I say something, she does not pay attention. Only when someone else tells her exactly what I had told her before, then it’s real. 😂🤦*♂️

LOL

Maybe that's what you meant to say but #26 was confusing to me.

Originally Posted by thyname

Bingo! Exactly what I said a while ago. See post #26 above.

You are like my wife: when I say something, she does not pay attention. Only when someone else tells her exactly what I had told her before, then it’s real. 😂🤦*♂️

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

..
When using an USB in/out type set up the clocks piggyback.

USB for audio uses asynchronous communication. Data is ‘pulled’ from the USB source under control of the DAC, not ‘pushed’ to the DAC under control of the USB source.
I think this might be why the USB source does not have provision for external master clock, because the clock in the DAC is responsible for system timing.

I received the new G-05 today. I won’t have time to set it up and listen until the weekend. It will clock my DAC (Esoteric N-01XD), and my CD transport (Jay’s CDT3 MK3)

If possible can you hook the G05 just to your DAC first to see what happens? I'm interested in a G05 but my only connection would be my DAC. Thanks

Looking forward to your feedback either way.

Originally Posted by thyname

I received the new G-05 today. I won’t have time to set it up and listen until the weekend. It will clock my DAC (Esoteric N-01XD), and my CD transport (Jay’s CDT3 MK3)

I set it up last night. Let it play overnight and through the first part of the Saturday. Just listening now for the past 2-3 hours. First impressions are very positive. This clock does make a difference for good. To clarify, with the same DAC I had tried another master clock a couple of year back, the Mutec Ref10 120 SE, which unfortunately made zero difference for me and I had to return. The G-05 is different. Hands down. I am almost certain it’s a keeper. More impressions and details later…

P.S. I am using a Shunyata Alpha v2 50 clock cable for my Esoteric N-01 XD DaC and the Delta v2 50 for Jay’s CDT3 MK3

My experience is with N-01 and G-02X. That made a big improvement, night and day. I'm not surprised G-05 has improved N-01XD. Alpha v2 CLOCK-50 a good choice, look no further.

An update.

The G-05 has exceeded my expectations. It is now permanently part of my system. It improves my N-01XD even when streaming (meaning the DAC is the only device clocked by G-05). Even more so when playing CDs via my Jay’s Audio CDT3 MK3, also clocked by the G-05.

The biggest improvement is on tonality and timbre. Very natural sounding, never experienced the effect in my system, and only recall in much more expensive systems I have heard at dealers’ shows and friends’. The dynamics are audibly improved too, with a noticeable positive effect on passages from silence (or quiet) to louder notes.

The “side effects” to this is that my CD playback is now even more pronounced than streaming. Playing CDs has become a truly enjoyable experience. I guess because both the CDT and DAC are now synced. I am glad I got a CD transport with master clock 10 MHz input. Jay’s CDT3 MK3 was an excellent transport on its own right, but now it is even better.

I have very happy with this purchase. For the price is most certainly a great value (for my ears, in my system)

Originally Posted by thyname

..I am glad I got a CD transport with master clock 10 MHz input. Jay’s CDT3 MK3 was an excellent transport on its own right, but now it is even better.

Maybe think about upgrading to an Esoteric disc transport (eg a 2nd hand Grandioso P1). ES-Link to the N-01XD and clock them both to the G-05.

Too late. I had an Esoteric transport. The P-05x. To my ears, the Jay’s was better. And still is. Hands down. Thus the change. Granted, the P-05x was a previous generation Esoteric transport. And they don’t make those anymore, other than the Grandioso line which I cannot afford

My N-01 didn't support ES-LINK so the Grandioso transport connected to it via a Shunyata Sigma AES/EBU. It sounded very good. I do find it odd that there is no current model P series 03X/05X/07X level dedicated transport in the Esoteric product lineup. N-05XD calls out to be mated with an Esoteric transport. If N-01XD/05XD owners want a dedicated Esoteric disc transport their only choice now is P1X-SE. And that combination wouldn't make much sense.

Another update, as I have had a chance to experiment with my G-05 (especially this weekend, as I put about 40 hours more on it). It’s very easy to switch and A/B with my Esoteric N-01XD (external clock or not). And focusing on streaming only:

The G-05 is an absolutely great addition to my set up! Hands down. Only a measurementmoron would question this. For the $5,000, which admittedly is relative, and depends to the rest of the system, this is an absolutely fantastic upgrade

My findings with G-02X were the same. Interestingly the G-05 is priced the same as G-02X.

I’ll leave this one here:

G-01XD | OVERVIEW | ESOTERIC:Japan high-end audio manufacturer | エソテリック

Originally Posted by thyname

I’ll leave this one here:

G-01XD | OVERVIEW | ESOTERIC:Japan high-end audio manufacturer | エソテリック

Thx! Any idea on the $ for the G-01XD?

It looks like $14,000

Esoteric G-01XD Master Clock Generator
– Playback Distribution

$14k


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...or about half the price of G1X.

Originally Posted by thyname

It looks like $14,000

I looked at the US distributor MSRP on Esoteric, your price is heaps more expensive than Australian RRP. And your MSRP doesn't include tax whereas Australian RRP includes tax.