DACs, external clocks, and what's what
There seems to be more hype about DACs than about anything in this overhyped hobby. I'm considering a new DAC and have been dragged down this external clock rabbit hole.
It seems that lots of DAC vendors are pushing external clocks. Even high end DACs like Wadax studio player, dcs products, Master fidelity NADAC-C, etc., claim that an expensive external clock is absolutely necessary to reach peak performance. Others, such as MSB and EMM Labs-its owner, Ed Meitner, in particular, counter that the clocking function is best performed closest to the conversion so as not to introduce the inevitable issues-noise, etc., that can come with adding more cables and connectors to the process. Most importantly, they point out that the internal clock still performs the ultimate clocking function, not the external clock. According to this camp, a well designed DAC with a high quality internal clock cannot benefit from an external clock and the added box may even be a detriment in addition to a waste of money. Cynics imply its just a money grab.
I understand how external clocks can benefit professional setups where there are multiple components to consider. I have a hard time understanding the mechanism by which a simple, typical two channel dac would benefit. Both my dcs Bartok and the Studio Player are one box solutions. I've auditioned the Studio Player (no external clock) and think its really good. Also have recently heard the EMM Labs and Berkeley Reference 3P, all sound really good without an external clock.
On the other hand, these clocks are selling-even very expensive ones-and lots of folks say they hear a difference.
I'm certainly not a DAC designer. I think no one knows more about this stuff than Meitner, or the MSB folks, but this is quite confusing, at least to me. Lots of stuff in our hobby comes down to subjective preference, but this seems to be a case where one side must be right and the other is wrong. Which is which? If you think an external clock provides a substantial improvement, how so?
Just looking for insights and opinions from this esteemed group. Not trying to start a fight-just hoping to shed some light on this because its an important consideration in making buying decisions.
Thanks.
@mclinnguy Mr. Koch is undoubtedly one of the pioneers and PD is am outstanding company. Thanks for the interesting responses. New dacs seem to be flooding the market-some companies seem to be stepping on their own new releases with even newer releases. Choice is good, but sometimes confusing. |
I see many people adding external clocks /ddc's wih chips that are inferior to the one in the dac. I do suppose they hear a "difference." I can see how syncing up several devices might be helpful. But I agree with MSB and Meitner mostly. Also, while Grimm makes great products, I wonder why they didn't add a clock input to their MU2 if, as someone said, they thought external clocks were so necessary. |
I agree with "buy what you like to hear." but based on the physics, you want an internal clock if at all possible. This is the same reasoning as to why memory has to be co-located with CPU’s. The further away, the more those signals and rising edges degrade. I also want to point out hte possibility, that maybe if your DAC sounds much better with an external clock it says more about the quality of the internal clock. |
@ericrhodes1 wrote:
That's because the MU2 already has a built-in clock section similar to the CC1/CC2. |
