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Esoteric G-02 clock - your thoughts

....I currently have the Esoteric G-03x clock in my system. I was wondering only to those Esoteric owners who have upgraded from the G-03x or from anybody who has purchased the G-02 clock what they thought. I like the clock in my system ...there is a difference but I would like to know if the G-02 is a step up from the G-03x.
garebear

Showing 2 responses by dgarretson

dgarretson
2,609 posts
 
I have a K-01X for which I'm also trying to rationalize external clock options. The G-01 and G-02 are redoubtable, but at those price premiums it is worth considering solutions based on scientific instruments or pro audio.

From a web surf it seems that the G-01 uses a Stanford Research Systems PRS-10 10 Mhz rubidium core. The G-02 has a cheaper Spectratime LCR-900 core. If your transport/DAC can't directly accept a 10mHz sine wave as a master clock, you would need to add a distribution amplifier that outputs Word Clock in multiples of 44.1kHz and 48kHz. Respected examples included Grimm CC1 and Antelope Trinity or OCX.

The premium 10Mhz rubidium master clock in a plug & play enclosure is SRS PERF-10(75 ohm BNC outputs) or SRS FS725(50 ohm BNC outputs). Both use the PRS-10 core as in G-01. I'm unsure which impedance is more appropriate to match an Esoteric CDP, as some Esoteric literature broadly specifies 50-75 ohms.

Both clocks include an integrated low noise SMPS. The PERF-10 has an optional port to accept an external 12V/5A linear power supply. I'm thinking of something on the high order of quality of Paul Hynes or HD Plex. For the FS725 it would be a relatively simple job to get inside the enclosure and install a power port to an external supply. In that event the PS would need to be 24Vdc/3A.
dgarretson
2,609 posts
 
I ordered the PERF-10 and should have it in a few weeks to try with K-01X. My understanding is that while this unit has the same SRS 10Mhz rubidium core as a G-01, there is a difference in the way the two products can function in this application.

When the G-01's master clock link is set to 22.5792Mhz, its 10Mhz rubidium clock synchronizes with the 22.5792Mhz VCXO in the G-01, which in turn links to the CDP at 22.5792 and replaces the player's internal 22.5792 master VCXO.

When connected to a PERF-10, the player's internal 22.5792 master clock is retained and is synchronized at 10Mhz to the external rubidium clock.

I won't try to guess why one approach would be better than the other.
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