Esoteric G-01 clock vs SRS PERF-10

[justubes]

The master clock selection at 22.5792 takes over the internal clock in the k01x and does not go through any PLL. 10 mhz cannot do this as it is a frequency that audio can use.

Adding a 10m will improve the internal 22.5792m clock in the player, given that the phase noise and the cabling, power supply is good, there usually will be a difference, i feel jitter here is not the sole determi ation in improved sonics as the inherent phase noise of the k01x clock or oscillator, whilst improved over the previous models, is still not superb.

A G02 oven oscillator os still superior to the commonly used VCXO or TCXO oscillators.

The adding of a 10m still does not equal a G01. A forumer for another sit who has tested a number of 10m rubidium clock report fantastic results with a 10m unit which is a BVA clock and alone cost similar a G01.

Basically, to equal the G01, you will at least need a OCXO clock with good phase noise and power supply, add a stanford 10m unit and basically equals the G01.

This will quickly add to the cost. So a quick calculation:
Stanford 10m unit $2k
PSU $500
Good cabling (as big or even bigger impact t
as any other cables in the setup)
TOTAL $5k and half a foot in.

Add a G02 (to output a master 22.5792m frequency) $4k
Cabling, another $3k

Now we are looking at $12 k which is a significant investment, probably a used G01 may come up around that price.

So it a matter of complexity and choice as the cost narrows by a large margin. The may or may not be a possibility that this set up will most definately show an imprpvement whether possibily better or worst than a stand alone G01 clock.

Another possibility is to have a crystek femto clock($500?) modified in place of the k01x internal clock and add the 10m unit.This would be the most cost effective solution approaching the G01 unit.

Using an incorrect 75ohm bnc adaptor for the digital cable feeding a 10m into the k01x did not make much difference and inconsequential as compared to adding a 10m.

My guess is that adding a SRS 10m rubidium to the k01x would be similar with adding a G02 at 22.5792m. We need some report from owners using the G01 and confirming if the 22.5792m is superior to 10m into a k01x/03x.

The choice of cabling and powercords would make it a big tossup in opinions.

Adding some comfort, imho, adding a 10m with good cabling would make it a big tossup comparing a G01 with lesser quality cabling.

 

[justubes]

Ken, An intriguing data point from the G-01 manual is that its 10Mhz output is through a 50 ohm BNC-- as compared to 75 ohm BNC for its other frequencies. If true, this mismatch with the 75 ohm BNC on the K-01X at 10Mhz might account for improved sound of the 22Mhz link through the G-01's 75 ohm BNC. At least the PERF-10 presents a 75 ohm match. The difference may be non-trivial. I found scope measurements for a Lucent 10Mhz rubidium clock that showed significant deterioration of the waveform when mismatched between 50 ohm and 75 ohms terminations. So perhaps the G-01/2 sounded better at 22Mhz owing to matching 75 ohm impedances.

On this topic, our fellow forumer laurent was pairing a G02 only with the KO1x. and not the the G01.

As it seems, using the 10m output was not that readily appreciated as a clear improvement. The OCXO in the G02 was disciplining internal 22.5792m clock in the player through a PLL.

However when 22.5792m fr9m the G02 set as master input on the k01x, this directly replaces the internal clock of the k01x. As we all know, a OCXO is still better than the internal crystal and hence reported a big improvement using just the G02.

 

[David Garretson]

I finally received a Paul Hynes SR7MR4 master power supply and have spent a day comparing it to a filtered 180AH battery as a 12Vdc power source into the SRS Performance 10 rubidium clock. AC cable to Hynes so far is Synergistics Master Coupler. Clock link is Nordost Silver Shadow. I made a 3' DC umbilical of 11 AWG .999 silver wire.

I purchased this custom Hynes regulator mainly to eliminate the back-breaking and unsightly presence of large batteries in the living room-- i.e. not anticipating much of a performance improvement. However, I'm pleased to report massive improvements in the K-01X with the Hynes supply-- as great an improvement as any recent change to the system. The SR7MR4 has four 12Vdc rails; a minimum of 5A is required for the Perf 10.

At Axpona I had a chance to hear a full Grandioso rig and noticed that the G-01 was clocking the system at 10M. Scott of Esoteric mentioned that the Japanese engineers at Esoteric prefer and recommend 10M, which is the native rate of the rubidium source. So after the debate about 10M vs. 22M I'm feeling pretty good about the pennies saved with the SRS alternative. Presumably the improved DC power source reduced phase noise otherwise introduced.

 

[justubes]

David,

You should have given a try, the higher frequency at 22m or 24m has been a revelation for me.

What differneces did you find adding the 10m and thereafter the hynes supply.

I had previously ran 10m with a low noise psu, not a hynes as the wait for one is something like a half a year earliest! How long was your wait.

In my case, the 10m gave an overall ease, naturalness, which one kind of appreciates. Is a differences that something to the sound is more correct.

If you can get to test out the 22m direct master clock, i have gotten an acrolink 6100 just for it, there is another magnitude of realness to the sound. In contract to naturalness running 10m. The details just pop out and hung between midair and on some occasions, tracks both familiar and unfamiliar, the sound o finstruments, voices startled me even when i was halfway falling into a relaxing state towards a nice doze!

What many describe lower jitter as heightened sense of accuracy and detail and many also note a naturalness and fullness to the sound. I found it the latter more in line with what i heard with the 10m. However, the naturalness- i found it to sound warmer, slower but ultimately, less engaging.

10m for for me it lacked the stunning definition, vividness, accuracy and clarity to the sound of 22m setting which actually have a realness as opposed to the said naturalness.

I continue to be stunned by all sorts of music with master clock setting.

 

[David Garretson]

The Hynes update added the sit-straight-up-in-your-chair pyrotechnics of which you speak. More concise and resolving, more embodiment, separation, soundstage layering, depth and reverberant cues, quieter background, increased PRAT(already a strength of the stock K-01X). Every clock upgrade I've done to my Sony and the K-01X improved every aspect of performance. I usually muddle through a newspaper or magazine while listening. In this instance the front page lay limp on the lap for several hours.

Paul took five months to deliver the supply-- several months longer than promised.

 

[hongkong]

For several years i used an Antelope Audio Isochrone OCX clock, fed with a SRS FS725 10MHz Rubidium Frequency Standard on my Soulution 745 SACD/CD player. The effect was quite noticeable, better 3D presentation of the music. I spoke to someone at SRS and they told me the internals of the FS725 are identical to the SRS PERF-10, which has a nicer exterior and an on/off switch. I've never tried the Esoteric clock. But I did notice that the choice of digital interconnect and power cable had a noticeable effect on my clocks. So I assume small differences in wiring and a more vibration proof one box solution would make the Esoteric sound different even if it's using the SRS oscillator. I of course cannot justify the differential in list prices. More recently I've switched to the Grimm Audio CC1. It sounds better than the OCX - SRS combo. I highly recommend it.

I have choose Grimm Audio CC1 too for my Marantz SA7S1 CD player. It's a good choice.