Using an external word clock with Esoteric cd/sacd players

So, the answer is, this depends.

Generally, you want an internal clock on the Esoteric because, being closest to the spinning disc, and DAC, an internal clock has the shortest trace route, and will have the best chance at having a great signal.

The main reason to use an external clock is when using an external DAC. Some external DAC’s even provide their own clock out.

Second main reason to use an external clock is if a device has a poor one to start with. Clocks and their circuitry over the past 10 years are VERY VERY good though.


Best,
E

@folkfreak

Any difference heard by using external clocks is placebo unless it’s like a $10 DAC. Even a Topping D10 (~$75) has a Jitter Test result of better than -125dB, better than dithered 16Bit. Vivaldi has a result of better than -130dB. To put this into perspective, you likely listen with peaks at 100dB, your room’s noise floor is likely not lower than 40dB, so that’s only 60dB of dynamic range, that’s not even 10Bit, and a psec clock offset of >22,000, whereas the offset out of any source is likely not above 1,000 (again, that’s before there DAC reduces it). 

Jitter has not been an issue in over a decade.

That is not my experience with the K-01X and an external clock.

@dgarretson

Right, because you are using your ears, which are magnitudes worse at judging sonic differences than measurement gear. Like I said, it’s all placebo, there is no audible differences; if you did hear a difference, then that was money well spent, it worked just like how the sugar cubes in scientific studies made the test subjects feel better.

+1 mzkmxcv! A cure in search of a disease!