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Post by MartinT on Apr 26, 2021 18:11:16 GMT
The AfterDark single output 10MHz master clock I ordered from HK just 8 days ago has arrived. Amazing service! It comes in a nice metal extruded case with carbon-fibre end plates. The feeling is substantial and heavier than the BG7TBL it replaces. There is a choice of clock noise performance and I selected the King as being close to the lower end of the range but substantially less costly than the top of the range Emperor Giesemann Eva. Performance for the King is quoted as -134dB @10hz but my accompanying certificate graph reads more like -138dB, with -108dB at 1Hz. That's a very healthy improved noise performance over the BG7TBL, and so it should be considering the price differential. Saying that, this is a very inexpensive master clock solution compared with most models on the market and I applaud AfterDark for their achievement. The rear panel comprises an input 2.1mm DC connector and an output BNC connector. I have used a T-connector so that I can continue to use my Black Ravioli grounding box. There is no LED or tell-tale that the unit is operating. I've connected it to my 12V Coherent QP-1 supercap LPSU.   Upon hooking it up to the Mutec, I was getting dropouts from stone cold. I removed the Mini-Circuits filter and all was well. This is probably a function of not having achieved anywhere close to equilibrium yet. Music is playing and I'm going to leave it running for the long burn-in period that AfterDark recommends, up to 30 days if I remember correctly. I can already hear without any difficulty that my system sounds better, but I will hold back on any subjective assessments until it's had a good amount of time on it. |
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Post by MartinT on Apr 26, 2021 19:34:52 GMT
Whoa! She's cookin' nicely and so is the music!
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Post by John on Apr 26, 2021 20:02:12 GMT
Sounds like it is going to be a nice step up for you
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Post by John on Apr 27, 2021 5:48:11 GMT
I really admire that you kept pushing this further and gone down your own path.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 27, 2021 7:30:36 GMT
Thanks, John. It's been a slightly bumpy ride, sometimes going backwards, but mostly I've made great progress, especially this year. Last night was a startling jump, more really than I had expected. I'll keep listening and will report fully when I have a sense of the changes I'm hearing.
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Iving
Rank: Starter
Posts: 2
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Post by Iving on Apr 27, 2021 10:02:09 GMT
Thanks Martin. I appreciate this post as I have an AfterDark Triple on its way. Mine will be a slightly delayed shipment because I said I'd wait for the label/serial# and these will be ready next week. I presume yours doesn't have one - but you could get a letter of provenance or something from Adrian if not a retro-applicable label/serial#. Like you I intend to clock an MC3+ USB and an EtherRegen, although as you know my offline system exploits the ER in an atypical way. I'm very interested to know whether the drop-outs have disappeared permanently, and whether you regard the SQ jump as unambiguous and exciting! Can you describe it. My memory of first hearing the ER was mostly about solidity - although the listening experience was confounded with a switch in the firmware for the first round of buyers - more info on the AS Uptone threads germane. I have just slotted in an MC3+ USB to reclock AES pre-DAC, and there is unmistakable oomph without weight, cleanliness across the freq. range, separation and discriminability of elements of the music etc. Even 24 hrs burn-in made a lot of difference, mellowing out back to what Im used to and value. Very secondary interest in whether the low pass filter works for you - I'm anticipating I won't want/need one as the Triple is Square Wave. Tony S really doesn't like those those CF end panels! but everyone else seems to think they're OK. afaik Tony has bought an EVA and I look forward to hearing what he thinks of it. I'd like to see my Triple Square on his oscilloscope.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 27, 2021 10:48:22 GMT
Hi, it's good to speak to two people now I know who have bought an AD clock.
I don't have the serial no. on the label but I did get the certificate with the noise performance which suggests that mine is closer to an Emperor Signature rather than a King. I'm not complaining!
The drop-outs have gone, I believe it was only an effect of the AD being stone cold. I am leaving the Mini-Circuits filter out as the sound quality is stupendous and it doesn't appear to need it. Your triple is the squarewave version so you wouldn't want to use the filter anyway.
I had a chat with Tony the other day. The AD is better presented than I had anticipated, in a decent case and the CF end plates look fine to me. There is some damping stuck to the underside. The AD is sitting on some small sorbothane-like feet and I am contemplating adding Black Ravioli Pads to it, but may have to cut away the damping slightly.
Have you had your Mutec modified by Tony? If not, I highly recommend it.
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Iving
Rank: Starter
Posts: 2
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Post by Iving on Apr 27, 2021 12:36:08 GMT
Have you had your Mutec modified by Tony? If not, I highly recommend it.
Not yet - but have a mental note to ... Tony says he is au fait with RedNet, and so my D16 AES may get his treatment also.
Another day.
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Post by John on Apr 27, 2021 16:11:37 GMT
If I was to ever go back into streaming cia the ethernet I would get the AfterDark a Limetree and your Sonos
Looking back I think the issue with the Limetree was not the Limetree but just running it off my BT hub The Melcord and Lan cleaner did a job but no where near where you are at now and think the bit holding everything back
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Post by MartinT on Apr 27, 2021 19:50:10 GMT
24 Hours On
I am specifically comparing the current versus previous setup:
Previous: BG7TBL sinewave driving both EtherREGEN and Mutec via Belden 4694R cables and Mini-Circuits BLP-10.7-75+ filters
Current: AfterDark Giesemann sinewave driving Mutec via Belden 4694R cable, EtherREGEN reverted to internal clock
The Management Summary
Music is exploding from my speakers in quite eye-popping vividness and reality.
The Detail
This is going to be difficult as there are only so many ways of saying it, but everything sounds better. The timing is even more shockingly tight, bass is more potent with greater texture, midrange allows vocals to soar seemingly without limit and the treble - oh, the treble! Cymbals shimmer, strikes are properly metallic and the decay is wonderful. Things pop from the speakers, detail that was previously missed now brought to the fore. There is more soundstage depth, more space and air, and the dynamics on certain singers like Van Morrison, Chris Isaak and Cat Stevens utterly compelling. These guys have lungs! Meanwhile, female vocals from as wide a spread as Jewel, Nelly Furtado and Sharon van Etten all get a little extra liquidity and flow. Sibilance is down and harshness has been eradicated with a very natural tonal balance.
Ok, the above is not really doing it justice. Let's try again: my hi-fi system is no longer a hi-fi system. The AfterDark clock has messed with its DNA overnight and transformed it into a machine that projects real music into my room. That's better.
Note that I was going to give you a long list of performances I've listened to, but it won't necessarily mean anything to anyone else so I'll spare you.
If you can detect my excitement by now, it's because this little box cost less than half a grand and has given me possibly the best system uplift since I started down the streaming road a couple of years ago.
If there is more improvement to come (is that possible?), I will keep reporting back.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 27, 2021 20:15:29 GMT
I think that's maybe the most enthusiastic I have seen you about a purchase Martin!
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alp
Rank: Trio
Posts: 167
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Post by alp on Apr 27, 2021 22:34:27 GMT
Great to hear it has made such a difference to your system.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 28, 2021 8:13:46 GMT
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Post by MikeMusic on Apr 28, 2021 10:27:29 GMT
Must be cos it's black  Does this seem like the biggest step up you have heard Martin ? I know that this is only part of the system of course and all the parts must play a part |
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Post by MartinT on Apr 28, 2021 11:55:49 GMT
In the past two-and-a-bit years since I switched to streaming only, there have been many small improvements adding up to a lot overall.
However, for a single step I would say this is up there with the best upgrades I have ever made, let alone just recently.
You're absolutely right, Mike, about this being only a part of my system. I believe that many other steps I have made, including the mods to my DAC, have allowed the 'unlocking' of performance to be more powerful than expected.
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Post by BilliumB on Apr 28, 2021 13:44:57 GMT
How big would you say is the step vs your earlier clock experience with the BG7TBL plus filters?
Cheers. Bill
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Post by MartinT on Apr 28, 2021 14:31:49 GMT
How big would you say is the step vs your earlier clock experience with the BG7TBL plus filters? Adding the BG7TBL was a good step up, for sure. Switching cables, changing to sinewave, adding the filters was a smaller step. This AfterDark is a different ballgame. I'm not usually prone to exaggerating, in fact I often tone down my enthusiasm in print. However, this one has me reeling at what I'm hearing. Real music. In my room. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Apr 28, 2021 14:49:39 GMT
Just think what could be achieved if all the kit was black ! |
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Post by BilliumB on Apr 28, 2021 15:03:49 GMT
How do the clock noise figures compare?
Just to check, the clock is now only connected to the Mutec (and a grounding box)?
Cheers. Bill
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Post by MartinT on Apr 28, 2021 16:32:19 GMT
BG7TBL is reportedly (with the DAPU OCXO) around -125dB @ 10Hz
My AfterDark Giesemann King measures -138dB @ 10Hz
Yes, the AD is only connected to the Mutec
The ER's internal clock is rated at around -100dB @ 10Hz
So I've degraded the 1st stage reclocker, yet the 2nd stage reclocker has shown a massive improvement from the AD clock.
Which reconfirms what I've said before, that the final stage into the DAC is the most critical.
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