bruno putzeys wrote on Tue, 16 November 2010 17:01 |
What I really, really cannot understand therefore, is converter manufacturers who actively recommend using their own external clock to drive their own converter.
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Quick one over the bow there Bruno?
As Lucas pointed out, there is the "video sync" capability, which for a large striation of the market is a necessary component - as well as expanded clock distribution capability. I'm not defending anyone, just pointing out a bit of reality.
Further to that - there are other market considerations. The vast majority of the converters sold are sold "on price" and not on "audio quality". This is shifting a bit, but in the grand scheme of things not as much as those of us who "live audio" would like. The absolute majority of "units sold" are pretty much crap - they work, just not as well as many of us [who are unfortunately still a great minority of users] would like.
When I worked in "sales" I can't ever remember getting anyone a "Big Ben" as an add on to an AD / DA-16x system unless they needed to do video sync or required larger clock distribution facilities. At the same time, I recall many customers who were dissatisfied with their "silver & blue boxes" picking up Big Ben's to try and help those insipid [yet owner of the "high end" converter market] boxes. Then there are other more "cost effective" units that were greatly improved by the addition of a "Big Ben" - those "cost effective" units became quite acceptable with that addition, and that [at least to me] was a good thing.
As I'm sure you are well aware it ain't cheap to build a great sounding clock -- the unfortunate reality is that price is an issue - and because its an issue there will always be stuff on the market that in my opinion shouldn't be on the market -- again, unfortunately, damn few ask my opinion on those sorts of things.
Peace.