I'm new here and this is my first post. I've read older posts on this subject so I am interested in knowing if time has put things in perspective. I own an Esoteric K-07Xs CDP and am considering adding a G-02x Master Clock to it; it's a considerable expense so I would love to know the impressions of those who have made the purchase. I am aware of all the possible caveats - the diminishing returns, the idea that a very special 50 ohm cable might be needed, the suggestion to spend the money on another amp or speakers or music, etc. - but what I am really interested in here are the opinions of those who are fully satisfied and why, as well as the objections of those who are not.
thanks. The K-07Xs has a very good DAC onboard I believe, having moved from the AK4392 of the K-07 to the AK4993 of the Xs. Hence:
laltik,
thanks, I am aware that the K-07Xs is an 'entry level' model in the line but it's an expensive player anyway and I think I'll stick with it as it is. I was interested in the current opinions on the matter, the feedbacks I have found so far are average against adding a clock.
Hi Martin! I have an Esoteric too, K-03XD. I'm considering to add the same clock as you. Tomorrow I'll hear a demo in a shop between K-07XS and the G-02X clock. I will tell you :)
I have listened to the clock with the 07XS and with the N-05. From what I've heard, the clock is more noticeable with a player than with a streamer. I tried a classical SACD (Holst, The Planets) and the improvement with a large orchestra and with SACD was 25%. The instruments further apart, deeper stage and much more spacious. Then a jazz CD (Tee & Company, Sonnet) and a rock CD (The Who, Quadrophenia) and the difference was smaller, 10/15% at most. But always, always there was more separation of the instruments, more stage, more depth and more air in general. I did not try with bad or mediocre recordings, surely I should have forced. I liked it so much that it is more than possible that I will try a home demo, with my Esoteric. I do not know if being from the new range the clock effect will feel more, less or the same. Ah! By the way, the cable was cheap, 200 euros ;)
Ramon, thanks for your impressions. I have to say that they specifically match the other positive reactions I read, in terms of ‘where’ the clock added its alleged benefits. If it were an objective effect, supposing that objectiveness has a role in audio evaluating, it would raise a point: is it better to extract 100% of a ‘lesser’ player or enjoy 75% of a better one? Because the whole matter can have a ‘philosophical’ side too, for those who are sensitive to such shades; sometimes we seem to look for peace of mind more than for peace of ears so to speak.. The whole thing of an external clock makes some sense to me in this respect; when I had all Naim gear I always added extra PSUs even though I was aware of the scarce power requirements of a preamp or a CDP.. But I also understand that being the disc the very first link in the chain and as such also the weakest link, adding costly parts to working systems may not be a good way of allocating money. It all comes down to peace for mind it seems; I had to undergo a costly therapy for some time and I still wonder what if I had bought a very fine piece of equipment instead; I just wonder,,, ;-) M
speaking exclusively out of my own experience and of my knowledge of myself I’d take the K-07Xs/G-02 path because I’d rather optimise the CDP I have than have a more expensive one that I ‘know’ is not working at its full potential; but that is just me. As I wrote I think that something else than convenience and cost-sensibility is in play here, and if one accepts that the price to pay is not completely performance-related (but when is it in audio world?), well that’s the path I’d take.
I anticipated that I was not after practical suggestions but just opinions; and this is my opinion only; as I’d just follow my instinct I think you should follow yours. I’ll be interested in knowing about your further impressions with either choice.
After the home demo: The clock effect is still evident, but less so than with 05XS. It may be because of my player which is more modern (03XD) or because I don't have a dedicated room like the store where I tested it. I think the g02x is a 2018 product or so and pairs very well with the 05xs. I guess after upgrading the players to XD the master clocks will also be updated sooner rather than later. I will not buy it, it does not compensate for the sound improvement in my equipment at the moment, but I have discovered how good a properly associated master clock can be.
I have an Esoteric K-03XS. I use clock Grimm CC1. And I only use K-03XS like a drive. I prefer listen CDs with my very old DAC...Mark Levinson N360S... No doubt...better DAC than the internal DAC of the K-03XS... Hope this help
with CD's data rate (16/44.1) , you still may hear an improvement with a master clock. But if I were shopping for a clock, I would sure look at the pro audio side first, before looking at consumer electronics. Take a look at Antelope Audio clocks. With higher data rates (24/96, 24/192) there is no comparison between no master clock and a master clock. The master clocked signal is so much better focused.
…...however, you will need to make sure that the signal's of the master clock and your cd player are both the same in order to get the best sonic results. There are some really good companies out there who are manufacturing master clocks but the ones I was interested in provided only a square wave signal and my Esoteric cd player does accept both square and sine wave ; but it is very important that the signals should both match for optimum results. You also need to make sure the signal's out put of the master clock and CD player are both at 10hmz's. If these both don't match there is a good possibility that it will not sound '' right '' or you will not hear a real big difference when you add a master clock. Just my 2 cents after looking into this topic for the past 2 months - ( see my posts )
I agree going the pro audio route. Clocks like this are standard in studios but are considered options in consumer systems. You generally don't see the crazy mark ups in the pro audio world.
Something like the Mutec MC3+USB would be substantially less costly and most likely provide the same level of improvement.
Wondering how Max/MartinGuitars made out--did you get the Esoteric G-02X clock to pair with your K-07Xs CDP? I purchased the K-03XD CDP less than two years ago and it blew me away. My dealer was trying to convince me at the time to add the G-02X clock but I was tapped out $-wise. So I've got the upgrade bug again and I am giving serious thought to that clock. He still has one in stock.
Anyway, curious if anyone else has experience with that clock since the thread was last posted to.
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