Aurender MC20 Reference Master Clock

A 10 MHz master clock for Aurender music servers, and a word clock for DACs and other word clocks.

Aurender’s MC20 Reference Master Clock is designed to synchronize data transfer rates in reference-level systems for the most coherent presentation. for the ultimate experience in clarity, transparency, focused imaging, and natural realism, your system’s digital source, DAC, and any other upsamplers or converters should all receive the same synchronized clock signal from an ultra precise and stable source.

MC20 is both a Master Clock and Word Clock generator designed to deliver an exceptionally high level of digital audio realism from a connected music server and/or D/A converter. Thanks to the MC20’s superior timekeeping, jitter is reduced to infinitesimal levels resulting in the ultimate timbral purity and rock-steady placement of instruments within your system’s soundstage.

Therefore, the MC20 is best used for these scenarios:

1. Simultaneously supply a 10MHz master clock reference signal to source devices such as Aurender music servers, DACs, and even separate word clocks with 10MHz master clock reference input.
2. Supply a 10MHz master clock to source devices such as an Aurender Music Server and word clock to DAC
3. Supply word clock to the source device and DAC

Connectivity and Compatibility

MC20 can be used with a wide range of associated high-end brands of DACs and music servers. Current Aurender models supporting MC20 are N20, W20SE and N30/N30SA which all have a 75Ω clock input.

For interfacing with an Aurender, or another manufacturers’ components, two pairs each of 75Ω and 50Ω SPDIF cables are supplied. Please refer to the owner’s manual of any equipment that will receive clock input from MC20 to determine which impedance cable should be used.

Rubidium Clock Module

The rubidium clock module employed in the MC20 is an exceptionally stable and accurate design that establishes a new low level of phase noise and jitter. Its flawless performance delivers a new level of vivid clarity with a three-dimensional width, depth, and height to the sound field it creates. The reduction of jitter and phase noise removes any trace of “digital glare,” and instead provides an analog-style warmth and naturalism to any digital audio source.

Rubidium modules are high-precision devices, and they are extremely delicate instruments. Consequently, Aurender engineers have designed a unique shock-mounted housing system to secure the module and isolate from vibrations both within the chassis and in the surrounding environment. To ensure the rubidium module can be safely transported, it arrives in its own foam case within the MC20’s master carton. Upon unpacking, the module will need to be installed by the user and locked into its dedicated chamber before use.

Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) for Long Term Jitter Reduction 

While the rubidium module takes care of MC20’s 10 MHz master clock generator signal, Aurender’s hallmark OCXO modules control individual word clock output. OCXOs are among the most accurate and stable clocks in use today. The OCXO modules deployed by Aurender’s engineers are orders of magnitude more accurate and stable than commonly used ordinary crystal oscillators usually found in computers. Temperature changes can cause crystal oscillations to fluctuate and induce jitter in the digital audio signal. Moreover, ordinary crystals are much less stable and lose accuracy over time. In OCXO clocks, a very stable high grade crystal oscillator is enclosed in a temperature-controlled compartment and kept at a constant temperature to mitigate jitter.

 Physical Specifications

Product Specifications