MUTEC REF10 Master Clock
REF10 Master Clock
The MUTEC REF10 is an audiophile-grade reference master clock that generates a 10 MHz signal, or 10 million cycles per second. The REF10’s industry-leading ultra-low phase noise will unlock a more dynamic, detailed sound stage with exceptional accuracy in your digital playback system. By acting as the “conductor” of your digital gear, the REF10 provides a rock-solid clock reference to synchronize your playback system resulting in superior audio fidelity.
Ultra-low phase noise and rock solid stability
MUTEC has found that the stability of “atomic clocks” based on commonly used rubidium or cesium oscillators are limited to the long-term time domain. While long-term stability may be useful in other applications, it is actually not ideal for digital audio where short-term stability is crucial, since it is the timing between samples as the digital audio stream is converted or transferred that needs to be as precise as possible for the optimal sound quality. Fluctuations in the short-term stability result in phase noise (frequency domain) and jitter (time domain), producing unwanted artifacts and distortion. Because fluctuations in temperature can also affect an oscillator’s performance, the REF10 contains a hand-crafted, oven-controlled oscillator (OCXO), made in Germany, featuring the highest clock stability in the time domain relevant to digital audio performance. The REF10 also incorporates an engineering focus to remove electrical and RF noise from the clock signal using high quality transformers, components, and isolation between outputs, while also allowing individual outputs to be turned on and off as needed for even lower noise performance.
Square wave reference signal
Most other clocks commonly use an oscillator that outputs a sine-wave reference signal. However, MUTEC has found that it isn’t the most optimal wave-form shape for a clock reference. A square wave with a steep rising edge coupled with MUTEC’s proprietary technology provides more consistent and stable performance.
Applications and easy integration
The REF10 is extremely flexible and features unrivaled compatibility, allowing users to integrate a 10 Mhz clock with no fuss. A total of eight outputs can be used simultaneously to allow the REF10 to be used with a variety of 10 Mhz compatible products. In addition, each of the BNC reference clock outputs can be switched on/off individually, further reducing potential noise or interference in the signal. It will enhance the audio quality of DAC’s, re-clockers, music servers, and existing audio clocks to the highest level. It is an excellent match and ideal upgrade to the MUTEC’s MC-3+ USB and MC-3+.
Features:
- Audiophile 10 MHz reference generator with industry’s lowest phase noise
- Improves and enhances 10 MHz compatible DACs, audio re-clockers, music servers, and master clocks
- Engineered around a handcrafted, ultra-low phase noise OCXO (oven controlled oscillator) made in Germany
- Generates a very high slew-rate square wave signal for superior lock precision compared to the sine wave signals used by competing brands
- Provides simultaneous reference outputs with two at 50Ω and six at 75Ω for maximum compatibility with clocks and DACs by other manufacturers
- BNC clock outputs are individually switchable on/off and are galvanically isolated
- Integrated, highest-quality international linear power supply
- Highly efficient power line filtering
- Intuitive, straight forward user interface
- 2u rack-mountable with optional mounting brackets
- 3-year extended manufacturer-guaranteed warranty
- Made in Germany
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Product manual PDF
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Connections: | 2 x 10 MHz reference clock BNC output, 50 Ω terminated, unbalanced |
6 x 10 MHz reference clock BNC output, 75 Ω terminated, unbalanced | |
Clock Generator: | 10.000 MHz ultra-low noise oven-controlled crystal oscillator |
Signal Format of all Clock Outputs: | Square wave, 10.000 MHz, 2 Vpp, 50:50 duty cycle |
Phase noise: | 1Hz ≤ -116 dBc/Hz |
10Hz ≤ -145 dBc/Hz | |
100Hz ≤ -160 dBc/Hz | |
1000Hz ≤ -166 dBc/Hz | |
Jitter Performance: | 1-100 Hz: ≈ 22 fs |
Power Supply: | Internal Dual Linear |
Input Voltage: | 90-125 V / 200-240 V, 50-60 Hz |
Power Consumption: | 12 W during oscillator warm-up, 8 W nominal operation |
Product dimensions with controls/connections (HxWxD): | 3.75" x 7.75" x 13.5" |
Product weight: | 9.6 lbs |
Boxed dimensions (HxWxD): | 8" x 17" x 12" |
Boxed weight: | 11.7 lbs |