Silent Angel Bonn NX switch & Genesis GX clock in for review

[Puma Cat]

Just arrived today for review: the Silent Angel Bonn NX switch & Genesis GX master clock.

Here's the Bonn NX. Both this and the Gemini master clock are beautifully made with exceptional build quality. Very solid chassis that is machined from aluminum billet, with internal vibration damping and RFI/EMI shielding. Each shipping box weighed 23 lbs and I'd estimate the units weigh 12-15 lbs. each. The Genesis GX Master Clock is heavier than the Bonn NX switch.

Front view:


Rear panel:

Has a switch to toggle between it's internal clock and an external clock, e.g. the Genesis. Also a switch to toggle between it's internal power supply and an external linear power supply.

Also has a dedicated ground terminal, so you could connect it to an Altaira or Gemini.

Features and specs:

• Eight richly gold-plated Gigabit Ethernet Ports feature critically spaced ports calculated to minimize potential signal interference.
• Class-leading Radar-Grade internal switching power supply module, a technology exclusive to noise-sensitive acoustic equipment.
• Perfectly timed data transmission.
• TCXO (Temperature Compensation Crystal Oscillator) greatly lowers network latency issues and jitter effects.
• Brand new chassis design consists of two layers of different, carefully chosen materials: the inner layer is galvanized steel while the outer layer is thick, high-quality aluminum alloy. This extravagant construction maximizes shielding and control of eddy currents while damping vibration and noise.
  
• Sleek modern design adds great aesthetic appeal, making Bonn NX a functional work of audio art.
• 12V DC power jack bypasses the internal switching power module, enabling connection to an external linear power supply (Forester) for a significant performance upgrade.
• Gold-plated ground connection terminal provides further noise reduction.
• LED light switch enables users to turn off the port status indicator.
• Class-leading clock receiving module allows external clock input.

Clock and Power Circuit

• TCXO clock (25MHz):: Eliminates extraneous frequencies and generates a pure and precise clocking signal. High precision, ultra-low phase-noise signal output as the clock source for our Ethernet switch system.
• Power source circuit for TCXO clock: Utilizes multi-stage power filter technology, removing crosstalk and noise at different frequencies 10MHz, 100MHz and 1GHz and feeding purified power to the TCXO module.
• Power source circuit for switch system: Ultra-low-noise voltage regulator circuit, capable of processing wide dynamic range power. Features highly-efficient circuit design and fast response time. Powered by TPS56623x series which maintains lower output ripple under ALL load conditions.
• AC power filter circuit: High isolation common mode choke circuit for AC power input prevents noise pollution from AC power sources such as other network-connected devices or power systems.
• Exclusive, customized Silent Angel power module: Wide dynamic range AC to DC power module. Stable, low-ripple noise, secure protection circuit, well-covered by an alumni heat sink.
• Connect to the optional linear power supply. DC Jack for external 12V DC LPS.
• Receiving the external clock input port (gold-plated, at 25MHz).
• Internal/external clock selector switch.

[Puma Cat]

Here's shots of the Genesis GX Master clock.





They are identical in size so they can easily be stacked.


Specs on the clock:

• Four independent, 25MHz and 10MHz Word Clocks with gold-plated output connectors housed in a single, optimized chassis.
• Each clock unit includes its own TCXO clock and circuitry to eliminate potential signal interference.
• Class-leading Radar-Grade switching power supply module, a technology exclusive to noise-sensitive acoustic equipment, provides a stable, low-ripple-noise power source.
• TCXO (Temperature Compensation Crystal Oscillator) clock circuits greatly lower network latency issues and jitter effects.
• State-of-the-Art chassis design combines of two layers of different, carefully chosen materials: the inner layer is galvanized steel while the outer layer is thick, high-quality aluminum alloy.

This extravagant construction maximizes shielding and control of eddy currents while damping vibration and noise. Sleek modern design adds great aesthetic appeal, making Genesis GX a functional work of audio art.

Clock and Power Circuit

• TCXO clock (25MHz): Eliminates extraneous frequencies and generates a pure and precise clocking signal. High precision, ultra-low phase-noise signal output as the clock source for our Ethernet switch system.
• Power source circuit for TCXO clock: Utilizes multi-stage power filter technology, removing crosstalk and noise at different frequencies 10MHz, 100MHz and 1GHz and feeding purified power to the TCXO module.
• Power source circuit for switch system: Ultra-low-noise voltage regulator circuit, capable of processing wide dynamic range power. Features highly-efficient circuit design and fast response time. Powered by TPS56623x series which maintains lower output ripple under ALL load conditions.
• AC power filter circuit: High isolation common mode choke circuit for AC power input prevents noise pollution from AC power sources such as other network-connected devices or power systems.
• Exclusive, customized Silent Angel power module: Wide dynamic range AC to DC power module. Stable, low-ripple noise, secure protection circuit, well-covered by an alumni heat sink.
• Connect to the optional linear power supply. DC Jack for external 12V DC LPS.
• Receiving the external clock input port (gold-plated, at 25MHz).
• Internal/external clock selector switch.

These guys aren't f**kin' around here...impressive.

[crwilli]

Do they publish the relevant specs on their clock?

Allen Deviation, Phase Noise etc?

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by crwilli

Do they publish the relevant specs on their clock?

Allen Deviation, Phase Noise etc?

Oh sure; go ahead and ask those complicated questions.

[crwilli]

Ha! I don’t really even understand what those specs are
But do understand that most reputable clock makers publish theirs. It is one product where the specs do seem highly important to cut through the marketing technobabble.

Besides, they say they have low phase noise. Okay, what is it?

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by crwilli

Ha! I don’t really even understand what those specs are
But do understand that most reputable clock makers publish theirs. It is one product where the specs do seem highly important to cut through the marketing technobabble.

Besides, they say they have low phase noise. Okay, what is it?

I always thought phase noise was when my wife complains after I buy expensive Audio gear.

[audio bill]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I always thought phase noise was when my wife complains after I buy expensive Audio gear.

No, think that's "out of phase" noise!

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by audio bill

No, think that's "out of phase" noise!

I get those two confused.