Master clock generator

With the Esoteric K-03XD SE now having the Esoteric Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player discrete clock module, I would suggest first evaluating the performance through break-in without an additional master clock.   I would also suggest the same for the AP20.   If you are primarily interested in the Aurender MC10 clock, I would hope your Aurender dealer would support an in-home audition or purchase return should the MC-10 not meet your cost/benefit expectations.   

I also like @oddiofyl suggestion for Mutec Reference clocks.   Even the lowest cost Mutec REF10 Nano has very good specs and offers both 50 and 75 Ohm outputs, 2 each.  The top of the line Mutec REF10 SE120 has even better specs and 4 more available 75 Ohm outputs.   Pricing on the Mutec models is also considerably less.  

You will need a Mutec Reference clock as they have both 75 and 50 ohm outputs 

@digitaljoseph I realize you may not have purchased the AP20 yet. If you haven’t read my evaluation on it, you can find it here:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/aurender-ap20-impressions

I still have it on my floor, and it is excellent. I also designed a simple system for a client pairing it with Vivid Audio Giya G3 speakers and he is enamored with the performance. Happy to chat with you about that as well. 

@digitaljoseph If you want to use a master clock with both the AP20 and the Eosteric transport, you will need to find one that has both 75 Ohm and 50 Ohm outputs, as the Esoteric takes a 50 Ohm cable, and the AP20 uses a 75 Ohm one. I am an Aurender dealer with hands on experience with the Aurender MC10 clock, and it has the ability to connect both 50 and 75 Ohm devices. The price of the clock is $16K, but it is of exceptional quality and performance. I know Esoteric also makes clocks, but I do not know if the clock outputs to both 50 and 75 Ohm. 

The clock would be connected to each of your two devices using a BNC cable into the word clock inputs using the respective impedance cable: a 75 Ohm BNC into the AP20 and a 50 Ohm BNC into the Esoteric. With the AP20, you then go into the Conductor app’s “Advanced” settings and scroll towards the bottom, where you can enable the toggle to “Sync With External Clock”. There is probably a similar feature with the Esoteric’s menus, but I’m not sure. 

With the clock in place, you will experience a number of benefits that may seem subtle at first, but ones you will be unable to live without once you get accustomed. The first is an improvement in focus. Imaging and PRAT just snap into place even better than it already does. The sound cleans up while retaining the harmonics they naturally deliver. The noise floor reduces. There is more bass speed and texture. Better retrieval of ambient information and micro details. The soundstage width and depth become more realistic and holographic. All of this happens while the sound becomes a bit more effortless.

Dont get me wrong, the performance of both of those units are really, really good on their own, but the clock gives it that last push to the “you are there” territory. It just feels right and natural with it in place. 

Also, quality BNC cables make a difference!

Should you want to chat about the MC10, feel free to PM me directly. Happy to help however I can.