Can someone explain the clock sync?


I recently got a new Denafrips Terminator 15th. I already have the Denafrips Hermes so I can sync the clocks with 2 BNC coaxial cables. I have done that but I really am not positive what this does. I did it right away when I placed the DAC into the rig because this DAC is a beast to move and make connections so I just did the connections and let it cook. All my digital sources are fed into the Hermes and I use an I2s connection to the DAC as well as the clock cables. I scoured the internet with google to find out exactly what this does to no avail. Maybe someone here can explain it? All I can gather is the two clocks "talk to each other" but does this allow the better clocks in the DAC to take president? I’m old and this digital stuff is complicated to me in some cases. Thanks!

128x128fthompson251

Regardless of how it works you will never know it's an improvement until you stop using the clock and compare. It may be a PITA but it's the only way to really know.

@jastralfu I know how to do it, I have it set up. What I wanted to know is what it does. How does it work? Thanks.

@jond I just want to know what exactly it does.

 

I am talking about the 2 BNC Cables connected to the clock output of the DAC to the clock inputs on the Hermes, what does this accomplish?

It should sync the Hermes internal clock with the Terminator clock as the master.  It is intended to reduce jitter.

I would not worry about any of the clock stuff. The whole jitter-worry is overhyped as with anything remotely contemporary, jitter is not audible at the values found in contemporary digital devices. See here for a discussion:

https://audioxpress.com/article/audio-electronics-is-digital-jitter-really-a-problem

You don't worry about MHz output in the audio signal, as it is equally irrelevant. If you hear differences in DACs, it may be a whole lot of things before I would consider jitter.
Also the video linked above explains nothing about what is supposed to happen with this clock stuff, just how to do settings on a particular device.

Just enjoy the music!