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How low can we go with JITTER now?


I must say at the onset, I sincerely enjoy what I have now by way of Audio Quality…. BUT I feel I can move further on… I’m pretty sure.

Sooooo….. What is the least amount of JITTER which is audibly discernable? In other words, about where do we get to before we’re beating a dead horse on the JITTER issue? …and how do we know just how darn much JITTER we’re dealing with anyhow?

Would adding a word re-clocking device between a PC sound card and my DAC such as a Black Lion or some other, be the best path for improving upon my audio quality, or should some other aspect be addressed instead?

Say a Re-clocker is added, then there’s got to be another cable, more connections, more loss… greater chance of adding that stuff about HF interference… etc.

I’m bemused and confused as to which item (s) need the foremost attention though.
Sound card?
Re-clocking device?
Getting off the grid with a DC based upgrade for my BC DAC 3 TO THE NEW vb line?

Or all of the above?

Seeing a need for the ability to handle formats upwards of 24/192 I see two items of significant controversy in that appraisal.

1 Lessening JITTER… natch’
2 Providing for greater word lengths and bit rates into my DAC from my PC as only via it’s SPDIF; BNC; AES, inputs can I convert formats above 16/48.. ie., Sound card

Any thoughts on how you’ve moved along these avenues or any experience with stepping up the sound card ladder, or using RE-CLOCKING devices would be appreciated!

I can ill afford much more hair pulling! Thanks immensely.
blindjim
tgrisham
1,291 posts
 
Kijanski,

I agree completely. It is exactly what I like about vinyl. There is a coherence to the sound that is more natural and real as opposed to bad digital which is artificial and "out of time". I am still searching for the computer solution to playback. It is convenient, but like in the earlier days of CDs, it is not yet as musical as I want it to be. If you believe others, it requires a beautifully designed DAC, probably asynchronous, which restores the timing of the original recording plus an analog output which is melodious and natural sounding. No small feat. It will take some time before it approaches the sound of good vinyl.
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

The increase of resolution and clarity amidst some other noteable items in the musical reproduction was the main reason I choose to keep the BC D3, even though it borders on the more clinical approach to revealing the music IMHO. It also was a missing ingredient for my system, and made it more so than less so.

To gain a still closer view to the music I suspect another veil can yet be removed.

The question remains though, by which more immediate & cost effective means?
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

Great reading on this subject can be found in a variety of articles. some were seemingly dated, yet still applicable, such as Julian Dunn's papers, "Bit's is Bits" & "The jitter Game" published by Stereophile's John Atkinson, and with Bob Harley.

One note of interest to me and this topic was the measured indication of when jitter becomes a negative influence 'audibly', to the music... the article noted ".... 100 pico seconds and above".

I found too many to list here... so just Google for them and have a ball.
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