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Esoteric’s Manufactured Clock Module
The “Master Sound Discrete Clock” in the G-05 has been developed by Esoteric in-house, from the selection of the crystal oscillator to the temperature control circuit and its control program to achieve high precision, all completed in a unique discrete circuit. Esoteric’s in-house clock module is dedicated to music reproduction. We have paid close attention to every detail and improved the quality of musical expression by designing our own crystal oscillator circuit, previously packaged as a general-purpose module, into a unique discrete circuit to produce tones closer to our engineers’ ideals.
“Esoteric SXT-03” Custom Crystal Oscillator
Crystal clocks generally have a natural timbre, low phase noise and excellent stability when combined with advanced temperature control systems. In addition, as the clock signal is generated by oscillation, there is a strong correlation between the physical properties of the material and the final sound quality achieved. Larger crystals have greater self-oscillation and a greater oscillation margin, even with greater resistance in the circuit, making the oscillation more stable. The G-05 is equipped with the Esoteric SXT-03, a large custom crystal oscillator with ideal electro physical properties. The raw crystal material is slowly grown over a long period of time and then SC-cut (Stress Compensated Cut) with excellent temperature characteristics. We also scrutinize the manufacturing process down to the smallest detail, carefully selecting and using crystals whose center frequency fluctuations are strictly within specifications.
Master Sound TC* – Esoteric’s Proprietary Temperature Control Program
Crystal frequency accuracy is affected by temperature. Therefore, temperature control is the most important factor in maintaining high clock accuracy. Esoteric’s proprietary ”Master Sound TC” is a total temperature control system that maximizes crystal performance. We have developed not only the hardware but also the control software in-house to ensure that the Master Sound Discrete Clock delivers the highest possible performance. In a typical OCXO, crystals are stored in a hot oven and kept at a constant temperature. However, crystals differ in the temperature at which they are most stable. In our Master Sound TC system, the oven temperature is controlled by a program customized for each crystal to ensure that each crystal is always at the right temperature for stable performance. The result is an extremely natural and pure clock output with excellent musicality.
* TC = Thermo-Control
Master Sound TC – Unique Calibration Process
The temperature characteristics of each SXT-03 crystal are measured during production, and an individual characteristics chart is created; the SXT-03 is assembled into a module, and based on this chart, the oven microcomputer control program is individually adjusted to the ambient temperature at which the oscillation is most stable. This series of processes, including burning-in, is carefully carried out for each individual unit.
128-Step Multi-Step Controlled Heater to Maintain Uniform Oven Temperature
The heater, which maintains a uniform temperature inside the oven, is also a concentrated Esoteric specialty. The heaters in ordinary modules are simply controlled to repeatedly turn on and off in conjunction with the falling and rising temperatures inside the oven, but in the Master Sound Discrete Clock, the temperature is finely controlled by a heater with 128 steps of multi-step control. In addition, by minimizing the current fluctuations that occur when the heater is turned on and off, the adverse effects of current fluctuations on the crystal oscillator circuit are eliminated.
