Esoteric G-02 clock - your thoughts

Hello Zephyr ...many thanks for taking the time to answer my question. My G-03X is matched with the Esoteric P-05 / D-05. I also have the Esoteric C-03x pre-amp and the A-03 amp. I was looking at adding another A-03 amp as we have an authorized dealer ( and great people by the way ) here on Audiogon that is selling one at a good price, but I am not sure if I want to get into bridging that amp as it a good one all on its own. So, I am looking at upgrading from my current G-03x clock. I do see where the G-02's clock has improved as well as the power supply which is critical and should / must mean an overall improvement in sound.

I have a K-01X for which I'm also trying to rationalize external clock options. The G-01 and G-02 are redoubtable, but at those price premiums it is worth considering solutions based on scientific instruments or pro audio.

From a web surf it seems that the G-01 uses a Stanford Research Systems PRS-10 10 Mhz rubidium core. The G-02 has a cheaper Spectratime LCR-900 core. If your transport/DAC can't directly accept a 10mHz sine wave as a master clock, you would need to add a distribution amplifier that outputs Word Clock in multiples of 44.1kHz and 48kHz. Respected examples included Grimm CC1 and Antelope Trinity or OCX.

The premium 10Mhz rubidium master clock in a plug & play enclosure is SRS PERF-10(75 ohm BNC outputs) or SRS FS725(50 ohm BNC outputs). Both use the PRS-10 core as in G-01. I'm unsure which impedance is more appropriate to match an Esoteric CDP, as some Esoteric literature broadly specifies 50-75 ohms.

Both clocks include an integrated low noise SMPS. The PERF-10 has an optional port to accept an external 12V/5A linear power supply. I'm thinking of something on the high order of quality of Paul Hynes or HD Plex. For the FS725 it would be a relatively simple job to get inside the enclosure and install a power port to an external supply. In that event the PS would need to be 24Vdc/3A.

I ordered the PERF-10 and should have it in a few weeks to try with K-01X. My understanding is that while this unit has the same SRS 10Mhz rubidium core as a G-01, there is a difference in the way the two products can function in this application.

When the G-01's master clock link is set to 22.5792Mhz, its 10Mhz rubidium clock synchronizes with the 22.5792Mhz VCXO in the G-01, which in turn links to the CDP at 22.5792 and replaces the player's internal 22.5792 master VCXO.

When connected to a PERF-10, the player's internal 22.5792 master clock is retained and is synchronized at 10Mhz to the external rubidium clock.

I won't try to guess why one approach would be better than the other.

This is a great thread,...please let us know how things turn out for you Garebear and what options you try. I would not bridge the amps either, one is fine on its own. Bridging adds benefits in general but things like THD and SN ratios have been known to change with other bridged amp options that I've tried. Bi-amping on the other hand where one amp handles the left and other handles the right channel is another option you may wish to entertain but that is not mandatory with your config by any means.

Dgarrettson: great info,...I had never looked that deeply into the parts & specs. Thank you!

....thank you to everyone here. I have decided to go with the Esoertic G-02 as I sold the G-03x here on Audiogon. I should have the unit in about a week and will post my opinions at that time