Adding word clock to Lucid AD9624

[SF Audio]

Hello,
I have the Lucid AD/DA9624 boxes. I hear talk of word clocks and wonder if clocking the AD to an external clock will improve the conversion significantly to make it worthwhile.

Anyone done this test?

thanks.

[CyanJaguar]

It makes a noticeable difference.

The question is is the difference worth the price? Dont forget, the lucid ad9624s onboard clock is no dog. Its better than the one on most soundcards.

If you have a mic or pre that costs over $1000, then it would probably be a good investment for you. If you are using a rode nt1, then a mic will probably make a bigger difference.

[dobro]

Gee, what a good answer.

[sjoko2]

SF - it completely depends what your recording chain is.

In order to achieve a stable clock rate throughout a chain, every individual digital piece of gear (excluding the D/A of cause) requires its own clock input. Daisy chaining clock, as is the most common method used, simply does not work.

[SF Audio]

I just want to run the external clock into the Lucid A/D. Only two pieces in the chain. So your saying that's not going to make a difference? Previous posts say yes. Maybe you can expound....

I do have nice mic pres and mics, so I'm inclined to think that an external clock could help. Of course, I'd have to see for myself, which I might do.

[tubedude]

There will be more stuff in the chain... the Lucid outputs AES or S/pdif... your soundcard that is accepting one of these signals will need to have these clocking capabilities also. That way, both pieces are deriving clock signal from the same source. The Delta 1010 has clock input, as well as most of the Motu stuff. If you have a clockable soundcard, then buy a good clock.

[SF Audio]

Actually, no sound card is used. It's just the Lucid into a fostex D1624 hard disk recorder. A simple path, so I'd imagine that I'd get good results with an external clock.

[CyanJaguar]

Good idea.

Why dont I post two mp3s of the two clocks and see if it makes enough of a difference.

It will be up before ten tonight. hopefully.


Dobro. I understand what you mean

[sjoko2]

OK Now we've got a clear picture.

The answer is yes, it would make a considerable difference in audio quality if you would clock both the A/D and the D1624 from a GEN6 clock.

[CyanJaguar]

http://142.59.127.47:8080/downloads/...clock_test.mp3

I recorded the same demo off my roland jv1010 into the lucid ad9624, only chainging the clock source.. I also threw in the delta 1010 clock for comparison.

I must say that the results I got surprised me incredibly. nuff said

[CyanJaguar]

but I cant say which is which just yet .I have to wait for sfaudio to try and see if he can pick out the external clock.

I compressed it at 320 kbps, but I would not mind doing it another way, or even posting a .wav file, except that nowhereradio.com only accepts mp3s.

I used the soundforge 5.0 mp3 codec which I believe is Frauhofer.

[CyanJaguar]

tried to upload the wav file twice with no luck

[CyanJaguar]

I was really surprised at the results, even when listening to the 320kbps mp3.

the lucid ad9624 internal clock was clearly the worst sounding of the bunch. Asphyxiating highs, non-detailed mids. I had always thought that the ad9624 had the worst clock and even before getting the genx-6 I had preffered clocking with my delta 1010, but yesterday was the first time I listened to clock comparisons on my ns10ms. I was shocked at first the amount of difference between the two lucids.

The delta 1010 had a much better clock. More defined high frequencies(even more present than the genx6). More space around the highs. The midrange was also slightly better than the lucid ad9624.

The lucid genx6 was the clear winner. It had better midrange definition than either the ad9624 or the delta 1010, the high frequencies are a joy to listen to. Even though they are not quite as present as the delta 1010(almost though) they have something that the delta 1010 does not have- nuance. I could hear every subtle nuance of the performance. I could also hear more detail accross the band than either of the other clocks.


so SFaudio, do yourself a favor and get a genx6, or if you want inputs, a delta 1010. You will not regret it.

[SF Audio]

thanks for doing the test. I'll listen to your mp3's when I get my sound hooked up for my computer.

Where did you get your GEN6 clock? I saw it at mercenary audio for $500.

[CyanJaguar]

I know that you can get it cheaper than $500. I got mine for $465 as a promotion. I think either gc or marsmusic had them for $450 one time

[CyanJaguar]

www.macmidimusic.com has the lucid genx-6 on sale for $399. thats right $399. THey also had the lowest price on the ad9624. I paid $40 extra for mine(as a deal) and then saw their price the next week.

At that price, the genx6 is more than worth it

[sjoko2]

Thats a crazy price! Below Lucid's wholesale purchase price??

[elbenj]

Cyan,

I find it quite interesting that you can hear that much of a difference with or without the genx6. Are these differences that significant prior to making the mp3,S?

It sounds like there might be some other factors coming into play here.

[dobro]

I can hear differences in Ed's mp3 postings for his cable shootout.

I can hear the difference between 16-bit and 24-bit recordings on my own system.

But I can't hear any difference between any of these three mp3s. This homer's conclusion: external clocks are for pros and audiophiles and people who worry too much.

[sjoko2]

LOL Dobro - the difference between good clock bad clock is at least the same as that between good converter bad converter.

Just ..... dmp some files to MP3 and they all sound like crap

[CyanJaguar]

dobro, that is incredibly surprising.

What DA and speakers are you using.

Anyhow, it does not matter that much. Tubedude could not hear the difference between the delta 1010 convertes and the lucid converters.

As I said before, I can hear the difference even in the mp3, If one cant hear the difference, then maybe the difference is not significant enough to justify one spending $400 on a clock, and it might be better spent elsewhere.

here are tips to better make the difference.
My amp is set to 85dbs. I did not have to increase the volume even though the level is quite low.

At about 75 dbs on your spl meter, listen to:

the focus on the hi hat(if thats what its called)
the clarity of the .delay on the guitar(most important)
the radom panning synth sound ANd its transient response
the short trumpet burst


also, it might help to use headphones(good ones show better differences.) Totally forget about hearing difference if your computer is sitting right under your desk or an ac is blaring away.

Its a good thing I did not come right out and mention which clock it is. I am sure that once I tell you guys which one is which youll suddenly be able to hear what I am talking about.

Anyhow,

I posted the 21 megabyte wav file to nowhereradio. here
http://142.59.127.47:8080/downloads/...k_test.wav.mp3

you guys right click on it and select "save as"

I hope you listen and tell me if you can hear any differences
delete the mp3 from the end of it and listen as a wave file

[tubedude]

Don't assume that I CAN"T hear the difference! I just couldn't tell on cheap computer speakers. I have played around with most of this stuff, and have gone through great trouble to get to check some of it out. The Lucid converters, IMO, sound fantastic. The Delta sounds really decent too when clocked solid. If you're using both, you need the clock.
My next venture is to try to find a Fatso Jr and decide if its worth the price. Thats something Sjoko should look into.

[sjoko2]

I've been using a fatso ever since they first bacame available

[tubedude]

Oh have ya? I guess you must like it! Can I borrow it for a few days next year some time?
Tell us what you think....

[sjoko2]

it stopped me from using my 2 track studer machine, does that explain it?