OCXO - External 10MHz clock for your Gustard DAC, the cheap ninja way. Does it really work?

[@michaelwright1602]

I always wondered about this, using an alternative to the higher priced "audiophile" clocks. I went ahead and purchased one of these and the cable you listed, for a new Teac UD-505X DAC I just purchased. Thanks again Tom!

[@k4syx]

No problem! These are devices that are used in radio astronomy - so they are no less precise than any "audiophile" stuff. Enjoy! :)

[@martinlagares5290]

A must for any Gustard R26 DAC. Highs become more defined and more air in between the notes. All other frequencies are all more precise and musical at the same time. Non stop Goosebumps! Thank you @HiFI Zone🙏

[@k4syx]

Exactly! Single biggest upgrade for R26! I'm glad you enjoy it!

[@janwillemkuilenburg7561]

What would it do for the A26?

[@janwillemkuilenburg7561]

Is the clock connected with the one cable you showed to the DAC?

[@k4syx]

@@janwillemkuilenburg7561 A good question. Should do the same as for R26, but the effect may be less staggering (as A26 should be superior to R26 in airiness and detail areas). I recently got my hands on X26 Pro, I will try to check that next weekend as will be on business trip this week.

[@k4syx]

@@janwillemkuilenburg7561 Yes, just this one cable to ext 10mhz clock input on the back

[@michaelwright1602]

I now own two of these clocks and must say, they do work. I have one with the LHY FMC ethernet isolator and their SW6 ethernet switch. The other clock is attached to the LHY UIP USB isolator. I am using the 50 ohm cables suggested by Tom and running off of the Sine Wave output of the clocks. I do have both of the included GPS antennas installed, and sitting in the adjacent window where they easily lock on to a signal. The sound, at least to our ears, is greatly improved. Now when I say greatly, I mean noticeably. I would say a 15% improvement, which is a lot in my book. The clarity and preciseness of the instruments, along with the separation and depth are something to be heard, just fantastic. I really like the idea of using these clocks vs an audiophile clock. The antenna is what I think is the difference, keeping everything locked in. If that is true, I don't know, but my pea brain believes it does make a difference, and our ears sure can hear it. Thanks Tom!

[@k4syx]

Thanks for sharing! The best part about these is the price. These are OCXO, they do give very precise and controlled clock signal and do that for sane money :)

[@michaelwright1602]

@@k4syx Agree! And I can use a linear power supply with these clocks. ZeroZone makes one that specs up perfectly.

[@fernandoleitao382]

Great video. Nice tips.

[@k4syx]

Thanks!

[@kenwk2283]

My streamer has 2 clock inputs one for 75 ohm and one for 50 ohm, not sure which one would I be using for this clock. Thanks

[@k4syx]

50 ohm is standard for the most clock cables, you'll be fine with it. 75Ohm cables are thicker and they have 75Ohm printed on the side.

[@randynielsen9894]

when you ck out the FM please compare sound to Tzeel. Thanks

[@k4syx]

@@randynielsen9894 sure I will!

[@johncallaghan3097]

MIght I ask whether one could safely use a bnc cable splitter to connect two clocked devices to this unit?

[@k4syx]

Hello! you could use two outputs in parallel - for two devices. One is square, other sine wave, but for clock duty they should be both fine. Splitter with 10MHz signal maybe not the best choice due to noise and reflections, never tried that though in practice.

[@johncallaghan3097]

@@k4syx Thank you very much. So just to be sure, is the other bnc connector, labelled "1PPS" in fact for a 1MHZ (as you seem to be saying at around 0:59) rather than 10MHZ square wave signal? Hope you don't mind my asking this additional question. I already use this unit to good effect with my Gustard R26 and for me it adds more air and generally refines the sound in a most enjoyable way. But I was also thinking of connecting my Singxer SU-2 DDC, but if the square wave signal is 1MHZ, not sure that would work. BTW, I have subscribed to your channel as I find it excellent.

[@k4syx]

@@johncallaghan3097 Thank you! No, it's 10MHz, PPS refers I think to the length of the signal (meaning it's not a symmetric square wave with 50prc fill ratio but rather short pulses) You can safely try both with R26, if it is anything else that 10MHz it just won't sync and work correctly. But it will, I've checked that in my review, it was fine. On the other hand - SU2 has external clock input? Are you sure it's not word clock for aes/abu BNC data input? I have SU-6 and it doesn't have external 10MHz clock input other than word clock.

[@johncallaghan3097]

​@@k4syx Thanks once again. I've checked the SU2 product description at the Shenzen site and it says: "The SU-2 is not only a USB interface, it can also be used as an independent master clock product. "1. When used as an independent master clock, it can output a word clock of 44.1K-384K, or output a master clock of 22.5792Mhz-49.152Mhz. (When not connected to USB, it will be used as the master clock device by default) " 2. When using an external 10Mhz clock input, it can also be used as a frequency converter; support 10Mhz to 44.1K-384K word clock, or output 22.5792Mhz-49.152Mhz master clock." I looked at a photo of the SU6 rear panel and although it has a more comprehensive connector array, it doesn't seem to have one like that on the extreme left of the back of the SU2 labelled "10MHZ IN". That said, the product description for the SU2 does mention "...When not connected to USB...". But in my case it IS connected to my laptop's USB port, so I see my question was irrelevant and it appears you are correct. No need or possibility to connect it to my OCXO external clock's output. The idea arose in my mind just in passing and I apologise for raising it. 🙂

[@net_news]

There are several versions: GPS, Galileo, Glonas, BDS, ecc. Which one is the right one for the R26? Thanks!!

[@k4syx]

That's for GPS clock correction, so just choose the ones you trust to stay stable. I went for Galileo and GPS. This is just a small detail as for audio purposes we don't need date/clock sync with satellites, just the precise 10MHz will do

[@net_news]

@@k4syx thanks 🙌

[@MykeHawke-r9r]

Very very nice thank you

[@matytinman]

Link to the OCXO $60 please?

[@k4syx]

a.aliexpress.com/_EvlOIbF use winter sale coupons now (started yesterday), I got mine on 11.11

[@dirkrs]

Hi, and a link for the cable? Thanks

[@k4syx]

@@dirkrs a.aliexpress.com/_EyEotMZ be sure to choose type 4 for the right bnc connectors

[@riccitone]

Hi, forgive my dumb question here! But I’m trying to understand how I/O is configured in cabling exactly? Assuming it’s in the middle, how would you implement this from your streamer to your Gustard? Thanks 🙏🏼