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Does a DAc that Reclocks Remove Jitter from Sonos Connect

I asked Wyred4Sound what the advantages would with their upgrade to my Sonos Connect given the external Reimyo  DAP-777 20BitK2 DAC and lossless streams that I use:

Response from Wyred4Sound:
“The Sonos digital output is rather jittery, the mod removes this jitter by reclocking the output from a buffer with far better timing. Based on your Reimyo DAP777 DAC, you might want to opt for the 44.1k modWhat you will find is more clarity, true timing on attack and decay, larger sound stage, etc.”

So ..After more research here is what I found about my Reimyo DAP-777 20bitK2 reclocking:
“For the past few years, JVC has been producing the exclusive Extended Definition Compact Disc (XRCD),using the company’s proprietary 20bitK2 A/D converter during recording, with the Digital K2 machine regenerating resultant clock signals for transferring to a magneto-optical disc. The 20-bit disc is then reconstituted again via JVC’s 20bitK2 D/A converter, then converted into a true 16-bit signal using the K2 Super Coding machine.
The Harmonix Reimyo DAP-777 DAC, incorporates the JVC 20bitK2 D/A converter IC."
Bottom Line: does the Sonos W4S mod add anything to what this DAC already does?

jefflz
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Here is the directly measured jitter from a Sonos connect:

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154310.0

Any reclocker will reduce this jitter and improve the SQ, the question is: How much?

Most DAC’s with internal reclockers also benefit from the lower jitter input signal of the Synchro-Mesh because the PLL loop filter is more stable, reducing the jitter of the internal PLL clock. There are a couple of exceptions, including the Benchmark DAC3. The optimum scenario is to use a DAC without internal reclocker and drive it directly with Synchro-Mesh. Then you get the full benefit of extremely low jitter.

Examples are Metrum and Border Patrol DAC's.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,058 posts
 
Steve,

If you say most DAC’s with internal reclockers also benefit from the lower jitter input signal.....then wouldn’t it better to use Wyrd4Sound internal mod for Sonos Connect?

With your Synchro-Mesh, you’re adding one extra BNC cables, external component (shelf space) plus a wall wart power supply......all this would make sense if your relocker performance far outweighs the Wyrd4Sound internal mod.
mzkmxcv
777 posts
 
@jefflz

As I stated out in my initial comment. Do not worry, your signal is audibly pristine if using any competent DAC, no benefits can be heard through any mods to reduce jitter at the source, such mods can only be heard if your DAC is incompetent by modern standards.
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,058 posts
 
@mzkmxcv,

Do you own a SONOS Connect to make an suggestion like...no benefits can be heard from any mods to reduce jitter at the source.

I own one and I know exactly what OP is experiencing. The Connect Box has a very lackluster soundstage and no decent DAC can entirely eliminate incoming jitter. That’s part of the problem, the other issue is it’s mp3 compressed audio.

I have been on fence for a while to try the Wyrd4sound mod. Not sure if it would improve the SQ even if jitter is eliminated at its source.

jefflz OP
10 posts
 
mp3?  on Sonos? I only use flac from a linked  2Tb NAS or a  lossless Deezer service account.

I did one experiment when Deezer went lossless on Sonos. I played a CD through my Mark Levinson No. 37 transport and my Reimyo DAP777 DAC  and compared it to the same source being streamed via Deezer lossless through Sonos Connect with Bridge  using the same Reimyo DAC-- easy to switch between them-
No audible difference.   Some of the remastered CD's on Deezer are actually better than my old originals.   This is not hard proof of anything but it suggests that the story is not simple.


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