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Master Clock questions - cable length etc

I am about a year in with the Teac NT-505 streamer that I took a chance on and really liked and seeing as it's not making me itch for a different piece of digital gear which almost always happens I decided to grab the matching CG-10M master clock.  The main question I have is how important is it to have a 50 ohm cable and secondly am I better off stacking the components and having the shortest possible cable length between DAC and Clock or am I alright using the usual 1-2 meter length that is recommended for a digital cable?

I have started out with the Black Cat Silverstar 75 just to get everything running but apparently 50 ohm is correct, 50 ohm BNC cables seem to be fairly common for broadcast use so if that's the best thing to get so be it.

First impression upon hooking the clock up was that it livens up the sound and puts a bit more flesh on the bone which makes all of the various instruments sound more tangible in the room.  I gave the NT-505 great marks from the get go for having excellent/realistic tone and the clock seems to bring that quality out just a bit more.  

I'm not sure that you would say that the clock represents great value as it's almost as much as the streamer cost wise but it definitely makes a difference and the 2 together definitely make for a very pleasing digital presentation.  
audiojedi

Showing 2 responses by audiojedi

audiojedi OP
225 posts
 
Interesting - placebo effect doesn't usually play into the equation with me I either get closer to the music or I don't and that's all there is to it.  I got a great deal on the clock could likely sell it at a profit but it's staying put for sure.

I'm running the Teac into an LFD NCSE and Harbeth 40.2's, I would consider the system to be forgiving but resolving as well.

As always YMMV as mentioned I don't feel that the clock necessarily represents good value but I am appreciating the effect it has.

I have them stacked right now and will likely try a very short 50 ohm BNC cable just to see if there is any improment to be had.
audiojedi OP
225 posts
 
This is what I had read regarding Mutec clocks apparently it's a different deal versus 75 ohm coax with respect to reflections and jitter because it's working with a square wave not a round wave?

  • Mutec suggests the shorter the BNC cable, the better. So 0.5m would be ideal. A longer clock cable will supposedly introduce more noise. 
    • As opposed to a clock cable, a SPDIF cable is the opposite. Too short of a cable and you’ll get reflections. A 1.25m minimum is recommended for SPDIF.
I'll play around and see what happens there are lots of 50 ohm BNC cables available at various lengths can't hurt to try.  I have found that having a properly designed and specd 75ohm cable like the Black Cat makes a difference for transport to DAC so it stands to reason that having the correct length and cable impedance may be of some importance here.

Thanks guys!
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