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Would an external clock “help” in this signal chain?

My system sounds quite good to my ear. But I did spend a lot of time battling a harsh top end which I seem to be especially sensitive to. It’s now pretty great but I can’t help but wonder ‘what if??’ when I think back to all these components I’ve added and how each added to the overall character. 
 

Specifically I’m considering an external clock (or two?) in this chain. Also curious about using a grounding block. Maybe something else?

Here’s the signal chain:

 

iFi LAN iPurifier (converts signal to fiber optic and back)

RJ45 Cat8

Uptone EtherREGEN

RJ45 Cat8

WiiM Ultra (is this a bottleneck? Thought about Holo Red)

USB 

Singxer SU6

I2S

Gustard R26

XLR 

Tube Pre

XLR

Buckeye Hypex NCx500

Wharfedale Linton 85th

Everything is run through a Synergistic Research Power Cell (scored it used and it still broke the bank).

Either iFi Elite or chinesium linear power supplies. 
Power cords are Viborg. 
Interconnects AudioQuest Cinnamon. 
 

Thank you!

machine7
boulder_bob's avatar
boulder_bob
52 posts
 

@machine7 

I’m a little late on this thread

Dumb question:  are you getting the same harshness with CDs or vinyl?

machine7 OP
13 posts
 

@boulder_bob 

my apologies I didn’t realize anyone had replied here. 
vinyl is much smoother sonically running through a Parks Waxwing TT preamp. You raise a very interesting point! I’ll have to try some combinations with a CD player and will report back. Any ideas are welcome!

machine7 OP
13 posts
 

I picked up a Cardas Clear USB cable for the WiiM Ultra to Singxer SU6 connection and it made a significant difference in smoothing things out. Hard to believe a cable can make so much difference, even if I say the same thing every time one does. I had tried a few USB cables and didn’t think it would make any difference but they were all half the price of the well regarded Cardas. 
 

I also tried a Pontus 15th as that is said to be smoother than an R26. Sure enough it is. More air and bloom. So I picked up a Starkrimson amp. It’s much more class A sounding with nice bloom in some areas and loss of detail in others compared to the Buckeye. But it’s still breaking in. It’s certainly a less technical sounding amp. More bloom and sweetness. Sound stage further away with more depth. 

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