I play a lot of 16/44.1, 24/96, 24/192 files, and some DSD. Should I have my Vivaldi clock set on 44.1 and 48? How would this differ from having it set on a multiple…like 44.1 and 192?
Sorry, I’m new at the clock.
Thanks in advance.
The Vivaldi Clock has two clock groups. One should be set to 44.1 or a multiple of it and the other to 48 or a multiple of that.
You can try out what you prefer for instance 44.1 or 176.4.
You can also try out whether you like dither on or off.
Expanding on August’s answer, you need to read your user manual which explains what you need to do. If you do not have the manual I link it below.
I will, however, not support August’s comment the you may experiment with which frequency you prefer if this is meant generally. This is not a preference but basic engineering. Some music formats have a frequncy of 44.1 kS/s ( Kilo samples per second) or multiples thereof ( 88.2, 174.4, 352.8 or DXD). Others are based on a sample rate frequency of 48kS/s ( 96, 192, 384 or DXD). All DSD music files are based on 44.1 kS/s rate and multiples. Note that only two basic frequencies are generated and the higher rates are simply multiples of these.
It is necessary for the clock rate chosen for reproduction to be the same as the rate of the recording, otherwise the result will be incorrect ( i.e. a distortion of the original waveform). I do not know what DAC you have but you should find that if you pick in incorrect one and have a Vivaldi DAC the front panel will display a red warning that it is incorrect.
As mentioned there are pairs of clock outputs ( Group 1 or 2) , one to be set for 44.1 based frequencies , the other for 48. Each connects to a matching input at the DAC ( also group 1 or 2). This allows for the DAC to switch automatically between the frequencies as the incoming data sample rate may change. So it is set it and forget it.
https://dcsaudio.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb/article_attachments/360026513599
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Thanks Pete…I did read the manual and it says:
“In a Vivaldi system, you can use multiples of the base clock frequency. If you wish, you can try 88.2 or 176.4kHz instead of 44.1kHz and 96 or 192kHz in place of 48kHz.”
My question is why would one try the multiples of the base clock frequencies instead of just setting the base clock frequencies of 44.1 and 48? Are there sonic difference that would ensue from setting a multiple?
Thanks for your help.
Thanks . I now understand correctly that you are referring to using correct frequency bases but with the possibility of setting multiples.
In this case I do agree with August that you should try it and see if you can hear any difference. I cannot and follow the manual’s example with one group set to 44.1 and the other 48. You will see from the DAC output display that it will be processing data at the correct frequency still.
There is no difference. The receiver is looking for the leading edge of the clock pulse. As long as there is a leading edge for every sample you are fine. Any superfluous leading edges in between are ignored.
Edit: In trying to keep things simple I realise I have strayed a bit too far from the truth. The Master clock is used to provide long-term stability to the Word clock (the one in the DAC) via a PLL. The Master Clock doesn’t need an edge for every sample (the Word Clock does). The key point is it doesn’t matter.
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Got it. Thanks a lot.