Since the rubidium-based product lists (or listed) at $21,000 in the US, the same as the Vivaldi Master Click, I don’t think it’s a cost/value issue. There are all kinds of reasons why a product might be discontinued, especially if it involves licensing another company’s technology (in this case from SRS). If Esoteric can now make their own OCXO, that is likely more profitable for them.
Re: the technical aspects of combining an OCXO-based clock and a higher accuracy rubidium clock in one unit, I don’t know the answer, that’s why I asked @James the question…
I do know that if it is technically possible, it will save buying a second box from a different brand, and the relating cabling expense…
No doubt it’s technically possible of course, considering the G-01X, but I suspect it would be an exercise in compromises unless priced stratospherically, like the $30,000 Aurender MC20
Not out of the realm of a dCS flagship of course, but it would severely limit the market, and puts dCS in competition with proper 10MHz/GNSS Clock suppliers, instead of focusing on what they do best.
Well secondhand clock found, and couldn’t resist really could I.
So that’s my digital sorted then.
Vivaldi apex dac, upsampler, and clock.
Innuos phoenixnet.
Melco N1ZS/2 -S40.
Well i guess i will need some more clock cables at some point, as i dont have 4 that match.
I am unsure exactly how a USB conditioner fits in with this as that Melco/Vivaldi combination is best connected using network. I don’t think that I ever read of anyone here claiming USB is superior to ethernet for this purpose. Still, if you prefer…
Yes , you will need those clock cables but I don’t think that you need spend a fortune.
I am not using a usb reclocker, i am using the phoenixnet, it’s a switch.
Ethernet goes through the phoenixnet and then to the upsampler.
My melco then goes into the phoenixnet.
This sounds the best, better than using the melco player port.
Well, my vivaldi clock is turning up friday.
That’s my 3 piece stack sorted then as I can’t ever see me adding a cd transport, but you never know.
Must say i didn’t think i would ever go this far as was very happy with my rossini player and clock. But here we are, but i must say the vivaldi gear is something else.
I’m looking forward to getting it back in my system as i have certainly missed it since i sent the demo one back.
This one isn’t new, but it’s in as new condition, plus i have an agreement that if it needs re calibration in the next 6 months, then this cost is covered. Can’t really be any happier than that from the seller can I.
I’ve never listened to a Rossini system, but I just upgraded from a Bartók Apex to an “Apexed” Vivaldi One, and the difference is striking. The Bartók was a superb player, but complex orchestral passages now have an effortless clarity which just wasn’t there before (of course it was, but to a much lesser extend). And I wanted a transport, as I still have my 1000CD/SACD collection, and not everything can be found on Qobuz.
No clock so far, given how much I spent already, but it may come in the future. Yeah, thinking it costs as much as a Bartók Apex itself makes me a little hesitant.
The Vivaldi One was a demo unit, and as such I was given a full 2 years warranty just as if it was new.
An external clock’s main purpose is to provide an identical timing reference to the separate units in a multi-box system such as Vivaldi . As you have everything in one box this will not be relevant for you.
The second reason is that a dCS external clock places the reference source in a preferable environment due to fewer space restrictions. Many find the result is audible but subtle. I would therefore recommend trying before buying especially if you feel a little hesitant. As for “or” that could mean do it or not or try another clock such as Rossini. Given your Vivaldi One I would be inclined to get the matching system clock if you decide that there is a significant gain for you as many find Vivaldi system clock is superior.The clock in Vivaldi One is good anyway of course so an external clock, whilst it may add something, is not essential.
As Pete has said above, I would definitely try it for a few weeks, and see if you miss it once you remove it. I don’t know how the vivaldi one operates, as in internal clock or clocks. It might well have 3 individual clocks all in the box for each section, dac, streamer and transport, if so then I would say that adding the separate clock to sync all these up could well bring the same upgrade as having separate vivaldi boxes.
Another question if you decide to go this route is, do you need the vivaldi clock? As you will only need 2 clock outputs in the 44.1 and 48, rather than the vivaldi that has 8 outputs
Adding an master clock is definitely an upgrade for the Vivaldi One, but unless you have an AES or S/PDIF source that’s being played into the Vivaldi One that also has a clock input (which I’d say is unlikely given that the Vivaldi One is a pretty well rounded source) you won’t gain any functionality by adding one.
As Dunc alludes to, if you don’t need the full range of outputs to run other devices like a source, then feasibly any of the current dCS master clocks (apart from Varèse) would work with the Vivaldi One. However, you’ll likely hear the biggest performance increase with the Vivaldi Clock, given that it is the highest performance compatible Clock.
Everything runs from the twin VCXO clock circuit, same as the other Vivaldi units. The single control board in the Vivaldi One rationalises the operations of the Upsampler and the DAC onto one board, in a similar way to what a Rossini or Bartók does.
There wouldn’t be much use having three separate clock circuits inside the one box, as they’d all still need to be linked together for everything to work in sync - better to have one circuit carefully designed to drive everything simultaneously.
