Importance of clocking

@antigrunge2 

As you can see, you have two kinds of posters here. One that have tried and implemented an external clock to a greater benefit. And then those, who have been peddling their ideas based on ‘documentation’ i.e. no direct experience 🙄 

@greg_f

I am merely sharing my views based on responses here and other threads. It was not my intention to offend or isolate anyone. @antigrunge2 and my experience with an external clock are nothing but exemplary. I must admit, implementation and choice of components (including clock cables) are the key when pursuing such ultra high resolution endeavors. For most folks, internal DAC clock would be sufficient and provide plenty of thrills. Also, whether one can hear the differences with a master clock synchronizing multiple components such as DAC, Streamer and Switches would largely depends on the downstream components.

You don’t need to take my word for it, just study the systems that are using high quality external master clock. Peace!

“I was merely pointing out that in our hobby the clock accuracy is not the most critical parameter”

@greg_f 

I believe accuracy, short-term stability and phase noise performance are equally important in a clock for optimal sound quality.  

About local files, couple of distinctions in my setup as to why local files sounds superior to those being streamed from Qobuz/Tidal:

1) No network noise and latency due to files being played from internal SSD storage of N30SA. 

2) 95% of stored files are digitized from analog tapes and direct DSD. 

IME, Tidal/Qobuz files are a mixed bag due to unknown provenance of files. There are some really stellar sounding files and then there are some that are simply unlistenable (to me). Not to mention, variables in our home network and equipments rendering the final sound. If one thing I learned with digital streaming is this, there is no streaming components at any price point out there that sounds optimal right out of the box without tweaking the home network. 

@antigrunge2 

Isolating Ethernet is not an option for me. My DAC is optimized to accept digital stream over Ethernet. I am streaming local and cloud based files from Aurender N30SA to Merging Technologies DAC.  

I believe severing Ethernet connection from your Innuos player should impact App connectivity to the player, right? 

“On my logic, the accuracy of the clock in the ethernet domain is irrelevant to sound quality”

@nigeltheflash

Acording to your logic, if accuracy of the clock in the Ethernet domain is irrelevant then why some of these switch manufacturers (I can name a few) advertising the importance of clock in a switch. Excerpts from Reiki Audio blog you linked in your post.

“Reiki Audio SuperSwitches employ an enterprise standard 25MHz clock which delivers the highest possible audio performance.”

The clock signal in a digital circuit serves as a timing reference. The clock helps coordinate when data should be read or written, ensuring proper sequencing and functionality of the circuit. If a switch needs a clock to function then by all means a cheap or subpar clock can easily degrade the audio. No one here is arguing over IP…I believe the core of the argument here is why OP heard audible improvement by connecting a highly accurate external clock which is obviously superior than the one included inside the EtherREGEN.

IME, anytime you can improve the accuracy of clock, you’re likely to hear audible improvements. The magnitude of these improvements are clearly system dependent and one’s listening skills. The proof is in listening and not waging an argument “oh that’s simply not possible given the standards sets by TCP/IP”.

Peace!