Mutec REF10 NANO
MPN #REF10 NANO
Compact 10 MHz Reference Master Clock w/4 clock outputs, Black faceplate standard
The REF10 NANO is the focused version of an audiophile 10 MHz reference master clock in the superior quality you should expect from clocking specialist MUTEC. It is based on the already well-established REF10, but transfers its technology, praised by many customers and reviewers, into a new, significantly lower price range.
With the REF10 NANO, dedicated music lovers are for the first time able to significantly improve the sound performance of their home digital audio system for a moderate investment. Likewise, thanks to this MUTEC reference master clock, aspiring studio owners can guarantee their customers maximum sound quality when mastering and recording their music productions. No matter which kind of playback setup the REF10 NANO is used in, a noticeable increase in transparency, spatiality and dynamics will be clearly audible in general.
The REF10 NANO can be directly connected to up to four 10 MHz-compatible devices. D/A converters, network switches, re-clockers, clock generators, CD players, servers or streamers are perfect partners. In case these components do not have a dedicated 10 MHz input, an MC3+ or MC3+ USB interface from MUTEC provides the necessary interconnection between the REF10 NANO and the audio equipment to be synchronized. On the other hand, the REF10 NANO is the perfect partner to an existing MC3+ or MC3+ USB. Together they raise the signal's audiophile quality " already improved and re-clocked by the MC3+/MC3+ USB interface " to an even higher level.
Take the chance and discover what your digital audio system is capable of. Entering the sound-enhancing world of 10 MHz reference master clocks has never been more affordable than with the REF10 NANO from experts MUTEC!
Master Clocking in MUTEC Quality starts right here
The REF10 NANO is the perfect device for all sound enthusiasts who want to get the advantages of an original MUTEC reference master clock at the lowest possible price " without making a significant trade off! This smallest 10 MHz reference master clock in the MUTEC range offers almost every of the important quality features of its big brother REF10.
For the REF10 NANO " developed by MUTEC in the expected reputable quality " the formula reads: half the size, half the price, but almost as good as the REF10! This certainly makes the REF10 NANO the best 10 MHz reference master clock currently available in its price class.
Advantage OCXO
Highly important for the performance of a reference master clock is the frequency stability of the oscillator used. This parameter is dependent, among other things, on its ambient temperature, which must remain within a precisely defined range. If this very narrowly defined frame is deviated from by a variation in the ambient temperature, the frequency stability of the oscillator is affected. This has a significant impact on the precision of the digital signal processing for connected audio devices. The German-made OCXO (Oven Controlled Quartz Oscillator) used in the REF10 NANO is permanently kept at the same ideal temperature in its dedicated heated enclosure. This sophisticated method is the best way to achieve excellent results, as it provides exceptional frequency stability. Traditional temperature-compensating quartz oscillators (TCXO) constantly readjust the deviations of the changing temperature conditions on the basis of continuos measurements. But they fall far short of the quality level of an oven-based solution. Conventional low-cost crystal oscillators without any temperature control used to ensure the timely processing of the digital data flow in common DA converters, switches, streamers and re-clockers, lack even more of the frequency stability, which is extremely relevant for uncompromising high-quality audio reproduction. Therefore, the use of an excellent OCXO is largely responsible for the outstanding quality of MUTEC's REF10 NANO.
OCXO versus Atomic Clock (Rubidium/Cesium)
As an alternative to an OCXO, so-called atomic clocks are also used in advanced reference clock generators, mostly based on rubidium or cesium references. We do not think this is the way to go. Our researches have shown that the high clock stability of atomic clocks occurs in a time range that is inappropriate, therefore of no relevance for digital audio applications. Their long-term stability refers to the amount by which the absolute clock frequency drifts over a longer period of time, from a few days to several years. Although long-term stability is important for telecommunication applications, for example, it has no impact to reproduction of digital audio material. The crucial factor for sound quality is the accuracy of the time interval from one sample to the next sample, i.e. a very short time range, usually measured in time intervals between 0.01 sec. and a few seconds. Alterations of this so-called short-term stability are measured as jitter or phase noise. At this crucial point for audiophile music reproduction the OCXO-based REF10 NANO delivers the significant advantage over rubidium or cesium-based clock references.
The Power Issue
The power supply plays a significant role for the overall quality of signal processing. Due to that, the MUTEC developers have put increased effort into this area as well. Here, the oven-controlled oscillator in particular gets its ultra-low noise supply voltage completely isolated from the rest of the circuitry. In addition, sub-Hz optimized, lowest noise voltage sources supply each single part of the circuitry individually in order to avoid any mutual interferences. The extremely low noise clock distribution and amplification circuitries ensure that the OCXO's reference clock signal reaches the four outputs of the REF10 NANO with virtually no loss. For performance tuning the internal power supply can be bypassed with an externally applied 16 volt power supply. The dedicated DC input on the back of the compact 10 MHz reference master clock provides a convenient and safe way to optimize in this regard
Features
Audiophile 10 MHz reference master clock with extra low phase noiseImproves and enhances compatible D/A-converters, re-clockers, music servers, network switches, streamers, CD playersHandcrafted extra low phase noise OCXO Made in GermanyGenerates a very high slew-rate square wave signal for superior lock precisionFour simultaneous usable reference clock outputs with 50 ohms (2x) and 75 ohms (2x) impedance for maximum compatibilityGalvanic isolation of the independently switchable BNC clock outputs for optimum interference immunitySub-Hz optimized, lowest noise power supplies for every section of the circuitryIntegrated international power supplyDC input for finetuning through an external power supply unitSelf-explanatory user interfaceOptional mounting kit for installation in 19" studio racks (1RU)Developed and manufactured in Germany
Specifications
Interfaces
2 x 10 MHz reference clock BNC output, 50 ? terminated, unbalanced
2 x 10 MHz reference clock BNC output, 75 ? terminated, unbalanced
Signal Format of all Clock Outputs
Square wave, 10.000 MHz, 2 Vpp, 50:50 duty cycle
Clock Generation
Type: 10.000 MHz low noise oven-controlled crystal oscillator
FQ stability when shipped: < +/-0.01 ppm
FQ stability vs. temperature range: < +/-0.03 ppm within -20 C to +70 C (-4 F to +158 F)
Short term stability (Allan deviation) at Tau = 1 s: 1 x 10-12 (typically)
Aging after 10 days operation:
< +/-0.0002 ppm (per day),
< +/-0.03 ppm (1st year),
< +/-0.2 ppm (10 years)
Warm-up time at +25 C (+77 F) : <5 min
Applications
Significant increase in audiophile performance of compatible D/A converters, reclockers, music servers, network switches, streamers, CD playersExceptionally lownoise and stable reference clock for the entire digital signal chain at home and in the studioIdeal upgrade as clock reference for MUTECs MC3+, MC3+USB, iClock/iClock dpHigh versatility due to four independent outputs (2 x 50 Ohm, 2 x 75 Ohm)
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