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Aurender and MSB DAC Synergy

The Aurender models N20 and above have Word Clock input that allows an external clock to drive the Aurender. The Aurender gives up control of its internal clock and slaves to the external clock. The MSB DACs  have a word clock output. I used this on my MSB DAC to connect to the Word clock input on my Aurender N20 via a BNC cable. 
 

After listening and enjoying my new streamer and DAC for two days I was scanning through the Aurender Conductor app on my iPad. On one page I hadn’t scrolled down enough. I found a software ware switch that had to be set to on to allow the Aurender clock to sync with an external clock. So I had been listening without the external clock. So I set it to on 

 

The difference  in sound was startling. Everything improved. Bass, midrange, treble  The treble especially really smoothed out and extended. The soundstage widened and displayed more depth. I was shocked how much of an improvement the external clock delivered. I never would have thought this much of a positive difference would have been possible. The Aurender has an expensive internal clock but apparently the MSB DAC has a better one. 
 

I have to thank Vince from MSB who advised me to get a Streamer that accepts word clock input as the Femto clock in the MSB is superior and also for MSB to use the AES XLR SPDIF connection to the streamer as that is the preferred connection. I’m glad I listened to him and moved up to the N20. 
 

jfrmusic
brbattles
5 posts
 

Hi @jfrmusic,

Thanks for posting your experience and the positive impact of slaving the N20 clock to the MSB DAC clock. I have a similar configuration (MSB Cascade and N30SA). Vince had suggested the same configuration to me, but like you initially, I was allowing the MSB Cascade to be slaved to the N30SA clock; I thought that was Vince’s recommendation. However, unlike you, I did not try slaving the N30SA to the Cascade clock. I didn’t realize doing so was as simple as changing a setting in the Conductor app. I look forward to trying this when I’m back with my system. On this note, I assume that what you describe is only works when using the AES/EBU or SPIDIF Aurender output (vs using its USB output). Would you please confirm? I’m currently using the MSB Pro USB/ISL interface (which to my ears sounded equivalent to that of the AES/EBU + Word Clock interface when the MSB Cascade was slaved to the clock of the N30SA).

Thanks!

jfrmusic OP
287 posts
 

@brbattles

Wow! I envy your Cascade. Can’t imagine what that sounds like. The MSB Discrete with dual power supplies sounds wonderful.

Yes I am using the AES/ XLR connection between the N20 and MSB. Slaving the N20 Clock to the MSB offered noticeably improved sound. Just sounds smoother and more relaxed. This is the configuration Vince recommended to me and why I got the N20. I use a simple Blue Jeans BNC terminated 75 Ohm Coax to connect the Word Clocks. Found expensive Clock cables don’t make much difference.

brbattles
5 posts
 

@jfrmusic thanks for your quick reply. Curious, what BNC and AES cables did you audition before settling on the BJ BNC and the AES cable you settled on? I have loaner BNC and AES Reference Synergistic Research cables on hand that retail for $6K/each that I’m loath to purchase if equivalent performance can be purchased for materially less!

jfrmusic OP
287 posts
 

@brbattles 

I initially had the Blue Jeans AES XLR. Then I switched to the DH Labs D-110. Much improved sound. Not very expensive. I like DH Labs. I have their Cryo Air Matrix XLR Interconnects, their Reunion Ethernet cable and their Q10 Speaker cables. I prefer the sound of silver clad copper over copper or silver. Can’t say anything about how they compare the Synergistic but I love the DH Labs products. Plus I just can’t justify spending 6k on a cable. I’d rather move up the MSB line. 

jfrmusic OP
287 posts
 

@brbattles 

Oh you can compare just about any cables you want by using the lending library at the Cable Company for a small fee that applies towards purchase. That’s what I did. 

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