Esoteric g-02 + k-03

[phunge]

Has anyone tried the g-02 clock with a k-03? I have been wondering if it could improve my already wonderful k-03.

If using the USB input, would you need to change the clock frequency each time you play a file with a different sample rate?

The g-01 would clearly be an improvement, but cannot justify that level of spend.

[djwhog]

I will be following this thread.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by phunge

Has anyone tried the g-02 clock with a k-03? I have been wondering if it could improve my already wonderful k-03.

If using the USB input, would you need to change the clock frequency each time you play a file with a different sample rate?

The g-01 would clearly be an improvement, but cannot justify that level of spend.

Save your money, the clock inside your K03 is superior to the G02.

[djwhog]

Be better to sell the 03 and get a K01 I think is the next step up the chain.

I was thinking that was what the Master was going to say.. Thanks Ivan

[phunge]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Save your money, the clock inside your K03 is superior to the G02.

Thanks Ivan! This is what I was thinking. From the K03 spec sheet:

A newly designed high-precision clock is implemented to achieve the highest level of sound quality for an all-in-one digital player. A VCXO (voltage controlled crystal oscillator) of +/- 0.5 ppm (*2) that uses a large crystal is deployed in the K-01/K-03 for advanced sound quality. A stabilized power
supply circuit improves the stability of the new clock. When using the K- 01/K-03 without using an external WORD clock, the high precision audio clock signal generated by the VCXO is directly delivered to the D/A converter, without passing through the PLL circuit. This enables higher- quality reproduction, substantially reducing any audible jitter. (*2) Factory setting

While the G-02 clock says:

The master clock generator uses a high precision crystal oscillator with a frequency precision of +/-0.01 ppm (parts per million) that is provided with custom tuning designed specifically for ESOTERIC. G-02 has a built-in, oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) that generates stable oscillation under varying conditions. This is made possible by assembling a quartz crystal resonator and oscillation circuit in an oven that maintains the internal crystal and critical circuitry at a constant temperature. G-02 achieves a very high frequency stability of +/-0.01 ppm under external temperature conditions of –20 °C to 70°C.

There is some additional text in the G-02 brochure talking about the driver circuit, etc. but it seems pretty far off the G-01 specs and pretty close to the K-03 specs.

I agree that the more logical upgrade would be to the K-01 but was just curious as I have seen plenty of pictures (google K-03 G-02 esoteric) of the two units together so thought it might we worth exploring.

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by phunge

Thanks Ivan! This is what I was thinking. From the K03 spec sheet:



While the G-02 clock says:



There is some additional text in the G-02 brochure talking about the driver circuit, etc. but it seems pretty far off the G-01 specs and pretty close to the K-03 specs.

I agree that the more logical upgrade would be to the K-01 but was just curious as I have seen plenty of pictures (google K-03 G-02 esoteric) of the two units together so thought it might we worth exploring.

Hi Phunge,

The G-02 clock appears to be 50 times more accurate than the K-01, K-01X, K-03 and K-03X clocks. However, the G-01 is 10,000 times more accurate. I'm not sure that 50 times more accurate will be an audible improvement in sound quality. However, 10,000 times with the G-01 is a no brainer.

Best,
Ken

[analog brother]

anybody using g-01 with k-03?
significant improvements.......????

[Colekat]

Originally Posted by phunge

Thanks Ivan! This is what I was thinking. From the K03 spec sheet:



While the G-02 clock says:



There is some additional text in the G-02 brochure talking about the driver circuit, etc. but it seems pretty far off the G-01 specs and pretty close to the K-03 specs.

I agree that the more logical upgrade would be to the K-01 but was just curious as I have seen plenty of pictures (google K-03 G-02 esoteric) of the two units together so thought it might we worth exploring.

Hey Phunge, I have the G-01 clock in my set- up, and noticed a big difference when I put it in, and then had a problem with the clock and had to send it back to Esoteric. With-out the clock is when I noticed the difference even more. Point is clocks are very controversial, and you should here it in your system if you can. I think you will here a difference with the G-02... I think the biggest difference comes from the power supply and separate chassis, but cables must be good also.
My guess is that you would be pleasantly surprised, more than you think. Try to get a listen first though.

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Colekat

Hey Phunge, I have the G-01 clock in my set- up, and noticed a big difference when I put it in, and then had a problem with the clock and had to send it back to Esoteric. With-out the clock is when I noticed the difference even more. Point is clocks are very controversial, and you should here it in your system if you can. I think you will here a difference with the G-02... I think the biggest difference comes from the power supply and separate chassis, but cables must be good also.
My guess is that you would be pleasantly surprised, more than you think. Try to get a listen first though.

Hi Tom,

I hope all is well with you. How is your system coming along in the new room? I know you made some major upgrades!

Best,
Ken

[phunge]

Originally Posted by Colekat

Hey Phunge, I have the G-01 clock in my set- up, and noticed a big difference when I put it in, and then had a problem with the clock and had to send it back to Esoteric. With-out the clock is when I noticed the difference even more. Point is clocks are very controversial, and you should here it in your system if you can. I think you will here a difference with the G-02... I think the biggest difference comes from the power supply and separate chassis, but cables must be good also.
My guess is that you would be pleasantly surprised, more than you think. Try to get a listen first though.

Interesting, Thanks for the perspective. I may look into this further to see if I can listen myself, that is excellent advice. It would seem the G-02 is improved over the G-03X, which I found referenced in the soundstage review of the K-03:

Esoteric also says that the K-03’s onboard word clock is substantially advanced over past designs: The clock uses a voltage-controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) with an accuracy of ±0.5 parts per million (ppm); a stabilized power-supply circuit improves the stability of the clock’s operation; and the clock sync signal is directly delivered to the DACs without passing through the phase-locked loop circuit. According to Esoteric, all of this substantially reduces audible jitter.

For improved performance, the K-03 can be used with an external word clock such as Esoteric’s own G-03X ($5000) or G-0Rb ($20,000). But the company claims that the K-03’s own clock is so good that switching from its ±0.5ppm to the G-03X’s ±0.1ppm will yield only a modest improvement in sound quality. For a serious sonic improvement, Esoteric advises moving up to the G-0Rb, whose rubidium generator, they claim, is accurate to ±0.05 parts per billion.

I just can't see spending for the rubidium clock, which is twice the price of the K-03 itself. I am not unhappy with the K-03 either -- just the opposite. it is far better than the ayre c-5xeMP it replaced, and I am absolutely thrilled with it. It has not disappointed in any way, but I am interested if its performance can be boosted even further with the addition of the G-02. Perhaps, though, the money is better spent elsewhere, say cables or power conditioning.

One question I still have have: When using an external clock in combination with the USB input, do I need to switch the clock frequency when playing back files with different sample rates? That would be a pain.