Auralic LEO GX.1 - Reference Master Clock
Auralic LEO GX.1 - Reference Master Clock
LEO GX.1, Auralic's reference master clock, continues providing trademark levels of performance in digital audio clocking. Offering “beyond-measurement” levels of precision, results detected while listening: a much wider sound stage, pinpoint instrumental accuracy, and dynamic range beyond expectation. By circumventing the DAC’s internal clock, shielding the unit from noise with an internal copper enclosure, and utilizing a new advanced multi-spring suspension system available on all G2.1 products, LEO GX.1 will dramatically enhance your listening experience.
Traditional Clocking
Normally, phase-locked loop circuits (PLL) in a DAC are used to synchronize its internal working signal with the more accurate incoming signal from a reference clock. But they’re noisy. And even though the working signal can be nudged a bit to match up with the reference signal, its frequency — and the precision of the analog waveform that’s based on it — is ultimately limited by the DAC’s own clock circuit.
Direct-to-DAC Design
Thanks to its unique Jitter-Free Operation, when the VEGA G2.1 joins forces with the LEO GX.1 these devices accomplish something extraordinary. Instead of merely synchronizing with the LEO GX.1, the VEGA G2.1 actually uses the exceptionally high frequency incoming clock from the LEO GX.1 directly — as its own working signal. In other words the LEO GX.1 bypasses the internal VEGA G2.1 clock circuit entirely, and drives waveform creation directly with its signal. No more PLL, and no more limitations.
A New Description of Performance
The LEO GX.1 clock is so precise that existing benchmarks aren’t detailed enough to accurately represent what it can do. Instead, we use Allan deviation to describe the resolution of the LEO GX.1, which is like looking at phase noise closely enough to detect shifts of +/-1Hz or even +/-0.1Hz. The Allan deviation of the LEO GX.1 Reference Master Clock comes in at 2E-12 (at 1 second), which is equal to a 10MHz rubidium atomic clock with phase noise of +/-1Hz at -110dBc/Hz, or an amazing 500 times less jitter than an 82fs Femto clock oscillator.
Clock Structure
LEO GX.1 hardware starts with two temperature-controlled rubidium atomic reference clocks. Each is paired with an oscillator using stress compensated cut crystals, for thermal and mechanical resilience and low phase noise performance. The result is the LEO GX.1’s remarkably high signal frequencies: 90.316MHz for 44.1k-based audio signals, and 98.304MHz for 48k-based signals.
Optical Isolation
Great lengths have been gone taken to reduce interference and noise in the new LEO GX.1, including the use of optical isolation techniques that keep systems physically separated from each other. Control signals from the processing circuit are sent to the clock circuit via fiber optic cables instead of electrical pathways, so the source of LEO GX.1’s impeccable timing is never disturbed.
Specifications
Benchmark
Allan Deviation: 2E-12 (1 second)
Equivalent Jitter: 500 times less than an 82fs femto clock (1Hz-10Hz)
Equivalent Phase Noise: -110dBc/Hz@1Hz (Ref Frequency: 10MHz)
The Clock
Frequency: 90.3168MHz (44.1x fs) | 98.3040MHz (48x fs)
Output Level: 3.3V CMOS (Direct-to-DAC Design)
Reference: Temperature-controlled Rubidium atomic clock
Oscillator: Temperature-controlled SC cut crystal
Sampling Rate
PCM: 44.1kHz to 384kHz in 32Bit
DSD: DSD64 to DSD512 in 44x and 48x
System Control
Switch sampling rate automatically via Lightning-Link with G2/G2.1 DAC
Power Supply
Dual Purer-Power internal linear power supply
10uV low noise designed for audio circuits
Noise Elimination
Optical isolation between control and clock circuits
EMI-shielding Unity Chassis II
Network
Gigabit Ethernet (For firmware upgrade use)
Power Consumption
Warmup: 30W at max
Running: 15W
Dimensions - W x D x H
13.4 x 12.6 x 3.7 in. (34cm x 32cm x 9.6cm)
Weight
21.1 lbs (9.6kg)
Product Finishing
Anodized aluminum case in matte black with copper EMI shielding enclosure.
Contents
AURALiC LEO GX.1 Reference Master Clock
Hex wrench (for use of tighten clock cable)
User's guide
Power cord
Lightning-Link cable
60GHz aerospace grade clock cables