I am new to dCSand learning with the help of this community. Forgive the very obvious question but what is the benefit to adding separate clock[s] to the Bridge?
It depends on whether you are using the Network Bridge within a legacy dCS multi-box system ( where everything has a wordclock input) or whether a non-dCS DAC has a wordclock input.
An external clock has two basic functions. One is to provide a more accurate timing signal to the DAC which is the point at which the conversion from analogue to digital occurs. The other is to synchronise the processing in other linked digital components so that they align in time with that conversion.
If you are using a Network Bridge outside of a system having a DAC with a wordclock input then there is no benefit.
If your question is about the separate clocks per se, each clock handles a different group of sampling frequencies, one based on 44.1kHz the other on 48kHz. In a dCS system having two clocks allows for automatic switching between incoming data based on either frequency.
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Yes but this synchronisation can be done by the dCS DAC, being the master clock for both itself and the Network Bridgeā¦In that case the question is: is it worth adding an external dCS clock to synchronise better than the dCS DAC would do ?
Can you hear/appreciate/value the difference ?
Yes. If you read many of the archive threads you will find numerous users extolling the benefits of adding a dCS system clock (given the criteria in my earlier post). dCS does not make anything that does not provide an audible improvement in its own right or over a lower model in the range.
However you will need those dual clock outputs which means that legacy dCS clocks are incompatible as they only have a single clock output. They can be used but with the inconvenience of having to manually change the clock frequency each time the incoming sample rate alters - which can be difficult with e.g. streaming from a service where the incoming rate is not known until it arrives.
The other question is of economic viability given a Network Bridge as the cheapest compatible dCS clock is Rossini . That will largely depend upon the system with which it is used.
I red all threads about the added value of a better clocking, but it is still conceptual until you really have the opportunity to hear it by yourself. It is not easy finding a dealer that can arrange such a listening session. I have a Vivaldi DAC, it means the dealer must have the same DAC + the Vivaldi clockā¦and upsampler, because there is still the never ending question: the clock or the upsampler ? You add to that the people telling that the Vivaldi replacement should occur soonā¦2021 or 2022 ?
Not easy actuallyā¦but that is part of the fun, in a wayā¦
I have a Vivaldi DAC since 2014, then added a Network Bridge in 2018. For many years, I used the DAC without any external wordclock. When the Network Bridge was inserted in the system, I obviously connected the DACās wordclock output into the N.B. wordclock input. And one can already hear an improvement by doing so (as opposed to leaving the N.B. managing clocking on its own).
The next step in 2019 was to add a MUTEC MC3+ USB wordclock to the system. 44.1KHz or 48KHz wordclock sent to both the N.B. and the DAC. This provided some small improvements: on soundstage, speed, naturalness. However nothing really remarkable. Anyway, the Mutec costs only 1Kā¬, so not a big dealā¦
The final step was the introduction of a Cybershaft OP13 (second-hand from a Belgium friend) 10 MHz reference clock to drive the Mutec MC3+ USB. At this stage, I was not expecting that much change. And I was wrong! The 10MHz clock brings more to the Musical party actually. This is when you start to comprehend the importance of good clocking.
So, my advice is simple. If you can afford a dCS clock, go for it. However, I would recommend mostly the models supporting a 10MHz ref. clock input which limits the choice to the Vivaldi Clock (or 2nd hand Scarlatti models). Otherwise, the cheapo MUTEC MC3+ USB complemented with a good 10MHz ref clock (either from Cybershaft or from Mutec themselves) is a wise choice. Except for the ergonomy/ease of usage ā¦; one need to manually change between 44.1KHz and 48KHz depending on the file streamed or played. Or just buy a 2nd Mutec, then ā¦ (one unit outputs 44.1KHz wordclock while the other unit is set to 48KHz).
FYI, a āMutec packā with two MC3+ & one REF10 units and the necessary coaxial cables will cost 6Kā¬.
I donāt own a dCS Upsampler. However, I can state that I donāt appreciate much software upsampling (either x2 or x4 on the sampling rate / or DSD) when done by Roon or Audirvana.
Iām certain that improving the clock offers a natural perspective to the Sound & Music that is really addictive. Even if my clocking units are modest and not from dCS, I wonāt see myself going backā¦ My only āexit pathā now is to buy a Vivaldi clock (one day, maybe ā¦).
With proper clocks, the 3D soundstage is better, speed of attack more realistic i.e. closer to Live music, a kind of āfluidityā from note to note becomes prevalent, the bass is more textured, and the highs get silky smooth although with more weight (on the cymbals, for example).
In terms of wordclock/ref. Clock, testing is believing, I guess ā¦ 
I have a Mutec MC3+USB and Ref 10 Se120, sounds def better with this combo, however, I use Mutec as a reclocker instead of word clock.
The reason is simple, I just do not know how to set up as a word clock on MC3+ with NB. Can you explain ?
Thanks
What DAC are you using?
Chord Hugo TT2
Hi Mitchell,
Btw, congratulation on this set-up encompassing the MUTEC REF 10 SE120 (which is a top of the range 10MHz ref. clock). That should be quite something ā¦!
Since you donāt use a dCS DAC, I can also understand why you opted for S/DIF or AES/EBU re-clocking processed by the MUTEC MC3+ USB.
If you want to send a Wordclock to the Network bridge, you simply need to run a BNC 75 Ohms coaxial cable between one of the MUTECās clock Outputs into one of the Network Bridgeās clock Inputs. And then set the MUTEC unit as a Wordclock reference manipulating the various front-panel buttons (please re-read the user manual, I can not check in front of my equipment right now for you).
What Iām not certain of is whether the Wordclock output And the S/PDIF or AES re-clocking can work together in parallel or are mutually exclusive.
If not compatible, you will have to listen to & test each mode then decide for yourself which configuration sounds best in your system with the CHORD TT2 DAC.
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Hey Mitchell
The Network Bridge (NB) will expect a clock input frequency which is an integer multiple of the sample rate of the music the NB is getting
For example, for 44.1kHz music the NB will expect a clock of 44.1kHz for 96kHz music the NB will expect a 48 kHz clock frequency.
If you connect the Mutec to the NB clock input, you have to manually switch the Mutec clock to match the music sample rate.
The Mutec offers a re-clocking function where it senses the digital input sample rate or clock frequency and automatically replaces it with the correct and presumably better, clock signal. The re-clocked signal can then be fed to the DAC.
With this setup, I donāt believe you need to connect the Mutec word clock to the NB
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thank you so much for the help.
Yes, with the MUTEC unit used as a Wordclock source one must (manually) adapt its output frequency to the sample rate of the music played.
=> Set the MUTECās output wordclock @44.1KHz for music sampled @: 44.1 / 88.2 / 176.4 / 352.8KHz.
=> Set the MUTECās output wordclock @48KHz for music sampled @: 48 / 96 / 192 / 384KHz.
(to alleviate this use-case issue, the solution is to purchase a 2nd MC3+ USB unit; each one outputs a different Wordclock signal).
Locking the Network Bridge to a Wordclock source has certainly a different action than using the MUTEC unit as an AES/EBU or S/PDIF re-clock (which then imposes 2 digital cables, and they shall be the same: could soon become expensiveā¦).
I think both technical options could be worth trying. Then decide what is the most valuable to someoneās ears.
Guys,
Just added the latest afterdark double emperor clock to my system which is basically 3 reclocking switches in a cascade to the NB.
It uses a very high end ocxo from cybershaft.
Has 4 x 10M outputs PLUS the requisite 2 word clock outputs. Itās now 12 days and the improvement was simply humungous from hour 1. 35 days to optimum stability and Sound Quality.
Note my DACs are built into the speakers (Kii) and have no option for external clocking. So this clock is purely acting on the signal from the NB.
This is the type of ref type clock the the regular dCS clock needs for an improvement that they refer to in their manual. Itās very well priced at around USD 2.5 k
Note well the manual refers to a gps type clock as an example of the type that will improve the current dCS clock. This may well be true, but my recent research seems to suggest this is not the best solution. Though a gps clock has a very reliable long term stability (think in terms of minutes, hours, weeks, months) it is relatively unstable in the short term that audio clocking needs.
Hope this note is useful.
Best wishes
Aubrey
Can you buy one in the UK?
Sorry late reply. Simply Google afterdark audio and you will have a link to their website. You can then talk directly to them via a chat app or email them.
Best wishes
Aubrey
Thanks Aubrey. I have made contact - the gameās afoot! I will keep the forum posted
Just a quick heads upā¦if you already have a dCS clock, you donāt need a high level word clock output. A single good 10Mhz out to the dCS clock is all you need.
These are way way cheaper!
Best
Paul, if you are to buy from the UK directly from a a foreign supplier you may now run into problems with VAT.
From January goods sold directly to consumers by manufacturers not using an OMP (an OMP is an Online MarketPlace e.g.Amazon) are required to have the VAT collected at the sellerās end which means the seller registering for UK VAT. This is quoted from HMRC advice :
" For goods sent from overseas and sold directly to UK consumers without OMP involvement, the overseas seller will be required to register and account for the VAT to HMRC. "
The result is that many overseas vendors are currently refusing to sell to the UK as ( to quote one recent encounter by a friend trying to buy a Spanish phonostage) " The VAT situation is too complex". Bluntly no overseas vendor is going to register for UK VAT unless they have significant trade with us. Further whereas in the past the carrier would collect duty and VAT and charge on to the customer I am given to understand that this may no longer be the case for the VAT element. Hence the goods may be blocked upon entry if the VAT has not been collected at source.
I had first thought that this applied only to EU manufacturers but that is incorrect, it relates to all countries. Perhaps this may become sorted out in the future but before buying ( or trying to buy) anything from abroad directly I would now first ascertain that the foreign manufacturer is registered to collect UK VAT .
Yes I have had goods received from the USA this year where the old system of the carrier charging for VAT and duty occurred. However that was back in February during the early days of this regime. Things may have bedded in since.