How can I tell if I need a better clock for my DAC?
Proper spdif connection between transport and dac should be made using 75ohm bnc. rca is not true 75ohm and this can also introduce jitter. https://www.markertek.com/productImage/450X450/B-PF.JPG https://www.amphenolrf.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/0/3/... Cheers George |
Here's an article that touches om the subject even though ge talks more about usb inputs. He also has a list of components he recomends, including dacs. https://darko.audio/2013/07/when-should-you-use-an-external-usb-spdif-converter/ I suspect a lot of new dacs sound better than your Cambridge but it doesn't have to do with just jitter. |
Thanks, everyone, for your inputs. Unfortunately, much of what was said went over my head.... You’re welcome. Honestly I think you may be over thinking this. Go with whatever your monetary budget allows, your personal listening impressions, manufacturer reputation and other customer testimonials. After all that then consider jitter and other technical measurements. Just my recommendation. |
Here is a video I often recommend with a simple explanation of what can go wrong with a digital signal fed into a DAC. It includes the topic of jitter. While discussing the signal passing into the DAC, its principles can also apply to the signal within the DAC unit. Please let us know if this helps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grzoqEb2KMk&t=2s |
Proper spdif connection between transport and dac should be made using 75ohm bnc. George - You are dead right. Just buying a 75 ohm cable with BNC's does not guarantee that the BNC connectors are 75 ohms either, particularly from Marketertek. I have 75 ohms cables with 50 ohm BNC on the ends from Marketertek. Also, BNC to RCA adapters should be 75 ohms as well. Here are some cable jitter measurements, including some from Markertek: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154425.0 Steve N. Empirical Audio |
