Importance of clocking


There is a lot of talk that external clocks because of the distance to the processor don‘t work. This is the opposite of my experience. While I had used an external Antelope rubidium clock,on my Etherregen and Zodiac Platinum Dac, I have now added a Lhy Audio UIP clocked by the same Antelope Clock to reclock the USB stream emanating from the InnuOS Zenith MkIII. The resultant increase in soundstage depth, attack an decay and overall transparency isn‘t subtle. While there seems to be lots of focus on cables, accurate clocking throughout the chain seems still deemed unnecessary. I don‘t understand InnuOS‘ selling separate reclockers for USB and Ethernet without synchronising Ethernet input, DAC conversion and USB output.

antigrunge2

@nigeltheflash 

I am sorry but you are being argumentative: on your logic the clock in the device is superfluous yet InnuOS expressly extoll its importance and the attached review of the device amply speaks to its sonic benefits. The same applies to Uptone‘s Etherregen so I am frankly not interested in further reiterations of your postulate. Over and out.

As you know, it takes two to argue. I'm merely reasserting my position every time you reassert yours.

On my logic, the accuracy of the clock in the ethernet domain is irrelevant to sound quality. I absolutely do not assert that the clock is superfluous, you're putting words in my mouth. A switch needs a clock to function.

You have yet to offer any explanation of why/how ethernet clock accuracy could possibly affect sound quality. Noise generated by the clock could differentiate one clock from another.

Likewise, over and out.

 

 

“On my logic, the accuracy of the clock in the ethernet domain is irrelevant to sound quality”

@nigeltheflash

Acording to your logic, if accuracy of the clock in the Ethernet domain is irrelevant then why some of these switch manufacturers (I can name a few) advertising the importance of clock in a switch. Excerpts from Reiki Audio blog you linked in your post.

“Reiki Audio SuperSwitches employ an enterprise standard 25MHz clock which delivers the highest possible audio performance.”

The clock signal in a digital circuit serves as a timing reference. The clock helps coordinate when data should be read or written, ensuring proper sequencing and functionality of the circuit. If a switch needs a clock to function then by all means a cheap or subpar clock can easily degrade the audio. No one here is arguing over IP…I believe the core of the argument here is why OP heard audible improvement by connecting a highly accurate external clock which is obviously superior than the one included inside the EtherREGEN.

IME, anytime you can improve the accuracy of clock, you’re likely to hear audible improvements. The magnitude of these improvements are clearly system dependent and one’s listening skills. The proof is in listening and not waging an argument “oh that’s simply not possible given the standards sets by TCP/IP”.

Peace!

nigeltheflash

... it takes two to argue. I'm merely reasserting my position every time you reassert yours ...

Wow. This could go on forever.

Peace, brother @lalitk!

I fully accept that an external clock might improve sound quality. I don’t accept that the reason for this has anything to do with the accuracy of the clock. That’s all.

Think about or investigate what a streamer does. Its job is to repackage lumps of data into (effectively) a continuous stream of data. It completely reformats it and the accuracy of the clock in the streamer is important to sound qualiity (I used to have a Mutec MC-3 reclocker after my streamer); ditto the importance of clock accuracy in the DAC (I continue to use an external clock here myself).

I am happy to stand by my assertion that there is no possible mechanism through which ethernet clock accuracy affects sound quality.