• LJB
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • From: Pretoria, South Africa
  • Registered: 2011-06-05
  • Posts: 15

Topic: Which clock is better: UFX or HDSP9652 PCi?

Hi guys,

I have both the HDSP9652 PCI and Fireface UFX in my system. Currently, the HDSP is my master clock, with the UFX, O1V96 and some other stuff slaved to it. The UFX is connected and clock-slaved by ADAT I/O only (not Word Clock), while is rest is all slaved by Word Clock and ADAT. I can connect the UFX on WC as well, but havent bothered as it's new in the system and I use it for the AD converters and pre's.

Should I rather have the newer UFX as the master clock, or is there no real need to worry? Is the WC connection essential, or will ADAT sync be enough for the UFX?

Your input will be much appreciated!

Best regards,

Ludwig

Music Producer / Sound Engineer. RME HDSP 9652 / RME UFX

LJB's Website

  • Ulrich
  • S/Mux specialist
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2008-05-31
  • Posts: 316

Re: Which clock is better: UFX or HDSP9652 PCi?

At least in theory the UFX clock should be better.
Sometimes people say that ADAT connection brings more jitter into the system than other solutions. Maybe you should just try and find out which works best for you...?

3 Reply by LJB (edited by LJB 2011-11-22 09:45:54)

  • LJB
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • From: Pretoria, South Africa
  • Registered: 2011-06-05
  • Posts: 15

Re: Which clock is better: UFX or HDSP9652 PCi?

Thanks Ulrich, I was hoping to hear from the RME team also - perhaps they have some figures on this?

Music Producer / Sound Engineer. RME HDSP 9652 / RME UFX

LJB's Website

  • vinark
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-06-05
  • Posts: 2,782

Re: Which clock is better: UFX or HDSP9652 PCi?

Slightly of topic (but not all the way), it is my understanding that adat is better then spdif and wordclock for lowest jitter.

On topic, it is always best to use the device that you need to have the best quality to be the master. For example if you use the ufx micpre use the ufx as master. If during mixing you use the O1V as output, use that as master. Every converter (being AD or DA) runs best from it´s internal clock. Even if you buy an esoteric external clock. Except some very early protools converters (literally) tens of years ago, which run better on external clock. They started the whole external clocking from a super clock is better myth.

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632