Prima Lunacy? (SuperTubeClock)


I am planning on upgrading my tube amp when its current set of tubes start to go.  So I've been doing a bit of perusing online, and was really considering the Prima Luna integrated amps until I read about "the world's first tube-based data clocking device: the SuperTubeClock™"

Did I missing something or is this just about the most obvious snake oil sales job?  For what I am understand the Prima Luna Engineers are using a tube-based oscillator in lieu of a quartz crystal to generate the DAC chip clock signal.  Their blurb lists reduced jitter and noise as the advantages.  AFAIK the noise in a timing signal should be superfluous since it has two values 1 and 0, and anything in between (noise) is ignored.  If the clock signal "noise" is leaking into the final analog output, then there are big problems with the DAC chip.  With respect to jitter, I would expect the inaccuracies of a high-quality crystal oscillator to be measurable only in the nanosecond or picosecond range.  Can an analog-style oscillator really do better (and does it really matter)?

Another thing that stuck me is that the clock triode is soldered in, and there is mention of it lasting 5 - 10 years.  When it goes bad, do owners have to send their DACs to Prima Luna to be refitted with new - and possibly rare and otherwise unavailable - clock tubes?

Thoughts, anyone?
tinskip

Showing 3 responses by stereo5

MC is showing his ignorance regarding Prima Luna. The company has been in business for over 20 years, is designed in the Netherlands and they have been built in the same Chinese factory since day One. Of course, nothing is better than What MC suggests. If he says it is good, then it must be the best. I am surprised MC didn’t call it the “Kung Foo” DAC. On a lighter note, Washington State is having a resurgence of Covid 19 in the more rural areas. How can that be, it’s a big hoax😂😂😂?  It is also so nice that MC is very concerned for the Chinese workers. 
My last Post was deleted:
MC you diss everything that is made in China. That WAS my point. .  You mention reading comprehension.  I suggest you try it sometime. 
MC, again, it’s because you diss everything Chinese made when your beloved Melody amp is made there.  You must be the exception to the rule?  I am tired of you MAGA people blaming everything on China. China makes many excellent products, get over it.