Risking to sound uneducated but I still wonder, why Sotm didn't put this clock in the txusb ultra in the first place?? I'm indeed tempted to upgrade and send in my txusb ultra so it can be hooked up to this master clock but I can't stop wondering about it, nevertheless.
Great to hear from You again!,!, Did miniDSP Studio “accepted”/ have Dirac V2.0? And one more question- is it possible to use HQPlayer with upsampling functionality in Your setup one? If Yes- will You try and come back with review? Thank You for answer in advance.
thanks for great review. you did a great and very convincing job of communicating the performance of the rig! i do wonder how would this set up compare to newer streaming solutions, specially those from Auralic. thanks again!!
Thanks for the review. Perhaps you could explain why SOtM has chosen to enable their sNH-10G switch to be enhanced with a BNC port for the Mutec Ref10, but NOT enabled the SMS-200ultra to do the same?
hi Hans, enjoyable review as always! Two things: although you say that reference clocks other than the sCLK OCX10 should not be used for the SMS-200 Ultra Neo (the version with BNC clock input), some people report good results with clocks like the Mutec Ref10. Or did you mean that a sine wave is required? And another question: how will I know for sure that the external clock is actually locking with the SMS-200? When (dis-)connecting I would expect an audible hiccup when the SMS-200 needs to switch from the internal to the external clock or vice versa. Neither do I I hear much difference in sound, connecting f.i. an Aune XC1 master clock with sine wave output.
This review was done two and a half year ago, I can't remember what was on the market and wasn't then. Using a square wave was widely accepted but SOtM uses a sine wave. The sMS-200 Ultra automatically switches from internal to external clock. There is no indicator but it is audible (sound quality).
Thanks for another great review. Would it make a further improvement if you were to connnect an external clock (also) to the Brooklyn? can the SOtM sCLK be connected to the Brooklyn?
that's comparing apples and oranges. You use the Nucleus to run the Roon Core on and let the Roon Core send music to this SOtM trio that functions as a Roon Endpoint. See the introducing graphics on how to use. The Nucleus is the 'computer' in those schematics. Since the Nucleus is a Intel NUC computer in a special 'silent' housing, the USB output is rather polluted and should not be used for quality audio.
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel I own Roon Nucleus->ORAVA USB interface->Audiobyte Hydra Z and Titans Audio Helen, they are all powered by JS-2 LPS and Hydra ZPM, both Roon nucleus and Sotm sms-200 can be used as network player, is it? In this case, which one better? Oh, forget to mention that I stream Tidal majority time and use Edgerouter X wired router->AQVOX SE->Paul Pang Audio OCXO switch to reclock signal. Btw, AQVOX switch is good but lack emotion, especially on vocal, Paul Pang switch can compensate it furthermore
Hi Hans, I currently am using the Sonore mircoRendu which you recommended to me. After watching several of your videos I am considering making an upgrade. However I am torn between the Sonore Ultra and Optical Rendu, vs the SOtM sMS 200Ultra Neo. Which ever way I go, if you were to measure the improvement in the quality of sound what would you say I would get? BTW I did order a Silent Angel Bonn N8 based on your review. Thanks
Appreciate all the reviews. Do you ever do measurements of these devices? Perhaps there is a particular measurement that would explain some of the differences you are hearing? I'd also be interested in someone doing multiple blind testing scenarios with you - and see if you can identify if this external clock is in your system or not.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Agreed. But, they are still nice to see. I know my tube amps don't measure as well as my solid state amps, but I prefer the sound and still like to see the measurements.
Dear Hans, as previously Audio Note owner and presume you know the sound quality of a AN CDT. Do you think this combination sounds better than for example a AN CDT2 (I mean this kind of level cd transport)?
Hans, So from the review, I would just like to confirm that one could *not* use the Mutec Ref 10 master clock with the SOtM sms 200 ultra Neo or the SOtM network switch? If not, why not? It is a well regarded master clock. Thanks.
Hi Hans. Very interesting video. I plan to purchase MUTEC REF10 and connect it to my IFI PRO IDSD DAC. It uses square waves. Correct? So if I understand your video, then there is no point for me to purchase SOTM SMS200ULTRA OR USBULTRA with external clock input as SOTM uses Sin waves and not Square waves. On the other side - no point for me to purchase Thanks in advance
On the other side - if I purchase SOTM master clock instead of the MUTEC REF 10 then I will not be able to connect it to my IFI PRO IDSD Dac. Am I correct? Thanks in advance
Hallo Hans, stunning review my complements! Have you clocked your sNH10g as well on the system or do you use the basic sNH10g(as i do by the way) Then its easy to make a T powercable for your Mytek and sNH10g and feed them both;its plays on 9-12v without a problem..
Please Hans, try my advise above. Easy with a Ghentcable and really great on the syntaxx PSU. We have been listen a lot and a good psu like sps500, farad3 or syntaxx is a further improvemend. And is no problem to use the sNH10g op 12v like i do..
The review states that the sMS-200Ultra should not be used with other 10MHzclock generators that use square wave rather than SOtM's sine wave. Is there a technical justification for this comment? I (and many others) use the sMS200Ultra with a square wave generating Mutec REF10, this combination works very well. The sMS200Ultra locks to the clock signal, and sound quality improvements are clear.
I think I have done just that with my REF10! Joking apart, from what I have read on the subject, SOtM's "sine wave" approach is indeed the optimum for low noise, as you mention in your review. However, the Mutec REF10's "square wave" approach is superior with respect to accurately locking the clock signal. So both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages. Which is best overall may well be system dependant, and possibly dependant on using short cables with excellent shielding with the Mutec, I am not sure, it would certainly be interesting to try two "head to head".
Hi Hans I’m currently looking at buying a SoTm SNH 10G and watched your review talking about your SoTm switch you use without the internal clock. Would you recommend the SoTm SNH 10G WITH the internal clock option (black face plate instead of the silver model) since I have watched your above review now showing the difference the external clock has made. Thanks for the info. I also watched your review on the EtherRegen switch being cheaper but better than the SoTm switch without the clock. Do you believe having heard the SoTm SNH 10G with the external clock that the SoTm switch with the internal clock would way outperform the EtherRegen switch?
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thanks for the video. I know it was a few years ago, so not sure where you ended up with a Clock purchase. You need to try the external clock on your sNH-10G too. I just A-B tested 2 daisy chained 12v sNH-10G's with a Mutec Ref 10 master clock, the impact was incredible. I'm now looking for my option to upgrade my sNH-10G's to add Clock BNC's and a replacement to be Auralic Aries G1 - with the view to sharing an external clock across all 3 devices (assuming I can find a compatible device)
Hi Hans, again a nice review of gear I am interested in. The SOTM set has been part of my possible upgrades for a while now, actually, since I heard of it at this channel. My Meridian Ultra DAC still sounds fantastic so I need evaluate this front end if it even will upgrade my set. What I am puzzled about is your remark about a sine wave clock vs a square wave clock. The improvement this clock makes must have its source in the reduction of jitter. Jitter is indeed very important and in the beginning of the digital age a fully misunderstood phenomenon. However, the easy explanation is that the right value at the wrong time is still wrong. Nevertheless, a sine wave that outperforms a square wave is strange. Sure, a perfect sine wave has no harmonics and this might or will influence the noise in the system. But reconstructing a clock from a sine wave is way harder than from a square wave. A sine wave has a slow rise time and therefore the receiving mechanism will have a harder time extracting a clock. I do trust your findings and what you hear and prefer is true …. For you …. And most likely for most of us, but it doesn’t make sense. The output is 2,85V 10MHz. the time for a quarter sine in this case is 25ns. If the decision circuit would have a threshold of 1/1000 of the amplitude, we would end up with a jitter of 25ps. A 20bit system needs approximately a maximum jitter of 8ps to become insignificant. Long story short: how much improvement in jitter performance is achieved with this clock? I would agree that a too fast clock will generate more noise, but using a sine …. I don’t know. I have a jitter analyzer designed long ago by Rémy Fourré at Ultra Analog especially for measuring clock jitter in audio. You connect its output to an Audio Precision and then make an FFT of the jitter frequency with a noise floor of 10fs ….. Maybe we should measure the difference and add proof to the subjective results.
I was as puzzled as you are. But the proof of the pudding is in the eating and I have never heard such a clean and natural front end. If I could spare the money I would have bought it immediately. I would like to know more about the clock jitter measuring device you built....
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Hi Hans; i didn't built it a got it as a present from a company called Ultra Analog somewhere in the late 90's. I will try to fire it up as it hasn't seen any mains power for at least 10 years (so I hope it is still OK). I have all the schematics and the user manual. This is a true microscope for looking into jitter. The RMS intrinsic jitter is 0.13ps and with when you make an FFT of the signal you can measure nodes below 1fs. It is only limited to 12.288 Mhz and 11.2896 MHz (and all lower derivatives) clocks
Great to see you astonished and emotional again Hans! I'm glad my sMS 200 Ultra Neo does not have that BNC on the back, else I might be tempted!
😄
Risking to sound uneducated but I still wonder, why Sotm didn't put this clock in the txusb ultra in the first place?? I'm indeed tempted to upgrade and send in my txusb ultra so it can be hooked up to this master clock but I can't stop wondering about it, nevertheless.
I don't know either.
prevent tongue injury lol, love this channel!
👍🏼
Great to hear from You again!,!, Did miniDSP Studio “accepted”/ have Dirac V2.0? And one more question- is it possible to use HQPlayer with upsampling functionality in Your setup one? If Yes- will You try and come back with review? Thank You for answer in advance.
thanks for great review. you did a great and very convincing job of communicating the performance of the rig! i do wonder how would this set up compare to newer streaming solutions, specially those from Auralic. thanks again!!
Auralic products are in an other price range. Both brands perform fabulous in each their own price caterogies.
Thanks for the review. Perhaps you could explain why SOtM has chosen to enable their sNH-10G switch to be enhanced with a BNC port for the Mutec Ref10, but NOT enabled the SMS-200ultra to do the same?
hi Hans, enjoyable review as always! Two things: although you say that reference clocks other than the sCLK OCX10 should not be used for the SMS-200 Ultra Neo (the version with BNC clock input), some people report good results with clocks like the Mutec Ref10. Or did you mean that a sine wave is required?
And another question: how will I know for sure that the external clock is actually locking with the SMS-200? When (dis-)connecting I would expect an audible hiccup when the SMS-200 needs to switch from the internal to the external clock or vice versa. Neither do I I hear much difference in sound, connecting f.i. an Aune XC1 master clock with sine wave output.
This review was done two and a half year ago, I can't remember what was on the market and wasn't then. Using a square wave was widely accepted but SOtM uses a sine wave. The sMS-200 Ultra automatically switches from internal to external clock. There is no indicator but it is audible (sound quality).
Thanks for another great review. Would it make a further improvement if you were to connnect an external clock (also) to the Brooklyn? can the SOtM sCLK be connected to the Brooklyn?
The Brooklyn requires another type of clock, the one that generates square waves.
Nice review! What about this one and Roon Nucleus, which one better?
that's comparing apples and oranges. You use the Nucleus to run the Roon Core on and let the Roon Core send music to this SOtM trio that functions as a Roon Endpoint. See the introducing graphics on how to use. The Nucleus is the 'computer' in those schematics. Since the Nucleus is a Intel NUC computer in a special 'silent' housing, the USB output is rather polluted and should not be used for quality audio.
The Hans Beekhuyzen Channel I own Roon Nucleus->ORAVA USB interface->Audiobyte Hydra Z and Titans Audio Helen, they are all powered by JS-2 LPS and Hydra ZPM, both Roon nucleus and Sotm sms-200 can be used as network player, is it? In this case, which one better? Oh, forget to mention that I stream Tidal majority time and use Edgerouter X wired router->AQVOX SE->Paul Pang Audio OCXO switch to reclock signal. Btw, AQVOX switch is good but lack emotion, especially on vocal, Paul Pang switch can compensate it furthermore
Hi Hans, I currently am using the Sonore mircoRendu which you recommended to me. After watching several of your videos I am considering making an upgrade. However I am torn between the Sonore Ultra and Optical Rendu, vs the SOtM sMS 200Ultra Neo. Which ever way I go, if you were to measure the improvement in the quality of sound what would you say I would get? BTW I did order a Silent Angel Bonn N8 based on your review. Thanks
It is virtually impossible to measure jitter in a meaningful way. For the rest: watch the review of the OpticalRendu again for answers.
Thanks Hans for another gooood review. The sNH-10G have an optional clock input, can´t you test this too? It´s in your limit ;-)
What limit?🤔
Appreciate all the reviews. Do you ever do measurements of these devices? Perhaps there is a particular measurement that would explain some of the differences you are hearing? I'd also be interested in someone doing multiple blind testing scenarios with you - and see if you can identify if this external clock is in your system or not.
I measure everything but measurements never prove a device sounds good. Like chemical tests never were able to judge the quality of wine.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Agreed. But, they are still nice to see. I know my tube amps don't measure as well as my solid state amps, but I prefer the sound and still like to see the measurements.
Sorry, I only publish measurements if I there is a special reason.
Dear Hans, as previously Audio Note owner and presume you know the sound quality of a AN CDT. Do you think this combination sounds better than for example a AN CDT2 (I mean this kind of level cd transport)?
Sorry, I have not reviewed the CDT so I can't say.
Hans, So from the review, I would just like to confirm that one could *not* use the Mutec Ref 10 master clock with the SOtM sms 200 ultra Neo or the SOtM network switch? If not, why not? It is a well regarded master clock. Thanks.
Watch the video, I explained it there.
Hi Hans.
Very interesting video.
I plan to purchase MUTEC REF10 and connect it to my IFI PRO IDSD DAC.
It uses square waves. Correct?
So if I understand your video, then there is no point for me to purchase SOTM SMS200ULTRA OR USBULTRA with external clock input as SOTM uses Sin waves and not Square waves.
On the other side - no point for me to purchase
Thanks in advance
On the other side - if I purchase SOTM master clock instead of the MUTEC REF 10 then I will not be able to connect it to my IFI PRO IDSD Dac. Am I correct?
Thanks in advance
I have not reviewed these products so I can't say.
Hallo Hans, stunning review my complements! Have you clocked your sNH10g as well on the system or do you use the basic sNH10g(as i do by the way) Then its easy to make a T powercable for your Mytek and sNH10g and feed them both;its plays on 9-12v without a problem..
I don't own the clocked version of the switch.
Wat Powersupply do you use on the sNH10g??
The original psu
Please Hans, try my advise above. Easy with a Ghentcable and really great on the syntaxx PSU. We have been listen a lot and a good psu like sps500, farad3 or syntaxx is a further improvemend. And is no problem to use the sNH10g op 12v like i do..
Ps switch takes only 0.2ampere
The review states that the sMS-200Ultra should not be used with other 10MHzclock generators that use square wave rather than SOtM's sine wave. Is there a technical justification for this comment? I (and many others) use the sMS200Ultra with a square wave generating Mutec REF10, this combination works very well. The sMS200Ultra locks to the clock signal, and sound quality improvements are clear.
SOtM chose sine wave for the better performance. Why spend this kind of money and not go for the optimum?
I think I have done just that with my REF10! Joking apart, from what I have read on the subject, SOtM's "sine wave" approach is indeed the optimum for low noise, as you mention in your review. However, the Mutec REF10's "square wave" approach is superior with respect to accurately locking the clock signal. So both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages. Which is best overall may well be system dependant, and possibly dependant on using short cables with excellent shielding with the Mutec, I am not sure, it would certainly be interesting to try two "head to head".
Hi Hans
I’m currently looking at buying a SoTm SNH 10G and watched your review talking about your SoTm switch you use without the internal clock. Would you recommend the SoTm SNH 10G WITH the internal clock option (black face plate instead of the silver model) since I have watched your above review now showing the difference the external clock has made. Thanks for the info.
I also watched your review on the EtherRegen switch being cheaper but better than the SoTm switch without the clock. Do you believe having heard the SoTm SNH 10G with the external clock that the SoTm switch with the internal clock would way outperform the EtherRegen switch?
I have not tried the external clock on the switch so I can't say for sure. In general it does improve the sound quality.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel thanks for the video. I know it was a few years ago, so not sure where you ended up with a Clock purchase. You need to try the external clock on your sNH-10G too. I just A-B tested 2 daisy chained 12v sNH-10G's with a Mutec Ref 10 master clock, the impact was incredible. I'm now looking for my option to upgrade my sNH-10G's to add Clock BNC's and a replacement to be Auralic Aries G1 - with the view to sharing an external clock across all 3 devices (assuming I can find a compatible device)
So Hans is the SCLK OCX10 going to be added to your system one? Thanks for the review by the way.
If I can find the funds needed☹️
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I too have order one ultra neo after your review so SOTM be a man and give Hans one at his birthday
@Will Johnson Me too!
You’re going to give me one too?
Hans, as I know, the OCX 10 generate 10 MHz clock, not 10GHz.
You’re correct.
WARNING 12v without adjustment only works on the standard SOTM sNH10g; NOT on the clock version then you have to adjust thing at first inside!
Hi Hans, again a nice review of gear I am interested in.
The SOTM set has been part of my possible upgrades for a while now, actually, since I heard of it at this channel. My Meridian Ultra DAC still sounds fantastic so I need evaluate this front end if it even will upgrade my set.
What I am puzzled about is your remark about a sine wave clock vs a square wave clock.
The improvement this clock makes must have its source in the reduction of jitter.
Jitter is indeed very important and in the beginning of the digital age a fully misunderstood phenomenon. However, the easy explanation is that the right value at the wrong time is still wrong.
Nevertheless, a sine wave that outperforms a square wave is strange. Sure, a perfect sine wave has no harmonics and this might or will influence the noise in the system. But reconstructing a clock from a sine wave is way harder than from a square wave. A sine wave has a slow rise time and therefore the receiving mechanism will have a harder time extracting a clock.
I do trust your findings and what you hear and prefer is true …. For you …. And most likely for most of us, but it doesn’t make sense.
The output is 2,85V 10MHz. the time for a quarter sine in this case is 25ns. If the decision circuit would have a threshold of 1/1000 of the amplitude, we would end up with a jitter of 25ps. A 20bit system needs approximately a maximum jitter of 8ps to become insignificant.
Long story short: how much improvement in jitter performance is achieved with this clock? I would agree that a too fast clock will generate more noise, but using a sine …. I don’t know.
I have a jitter analyzer designed long ago by Rémy Fourré at Ultra Analog especially for measuring clock jitter in audio. You connect its output to an Audio Precision and then make an FFT of the jitter frequency with a noise floor of 10fs ….. Maybe we should measure the difference and add proof to the subjective results.
I was as puzzled as you are. But the proof of the pudding is in the eating and I have never heard such a clean and natural front end. If I could spare the money I would have bought it immediately. I would like to know more about the clock jitter measuring device you built....
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Hi Hans; i didn't built it a got it as a present from a company called Ultra Analog somewhere in the late 90's. I will try to fire it up as it hasn't seen any mains power for at least 10 years (so I hope it is still OK). I have all the schematics and the user manual. This is a true microscope for looking into jitter. The RMS intrinsic jitter is 0.13ps and with when you make an FFT of the signal you can measure nodes below 1fs. It is only limited to 12.288 Mhz and 11.2896 MHz (and all lower derivatives) clocks
Should’ve stuck to your €2K limit 😂
I know😞