Paganini Master Clock

About the Paganini Master Clock

The dCS Paganini Master Clock provides a high-quality, dedicated clock source for the Paganini digital audio system. Clocking is vitally important in any digital audio system because timing errors in the DAC are converted directly into errors in the analogue output; while dCS DACs can act as the system master clock, a dedicated clock noticeably sharpens imaging and adds authority, power and resolution of detail. The Paganini Master Clock is based on dCS's professional studio master clocks and the classic Verona clock, with crystal oscillators that are pre-aged and selected for long-term stability and subjected to rigorous in-house testing. An asynchronous USB input allows high-resolution audio to be played from a computer, synchronising the audio via a feedback pipe so the computer's stream is effectively clocked by the Master Clock for dramatically lower jitter, with clock frequency switched automatically to suit the incoming stream. dCS equipment generates and accepts industry-standard Word Clock on 75-ohm coaxial cable, so other manufacturers' standard-compliant equipment can also be used. The unit offers six Word Clock outputs plus one S/PDIF output for transmitting high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kS/s, a multi-mode Phase-Locked-Loop for jitter reduction, an aerospace-grade aluminium chassis with acoustic damping, and a low-power LC display.