Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
Do you really need a master clock for your hi-fi setup? Or is it just another audiophile upgrade that sounds better on paper than in practice? In this video, I explore what a master clock actually does, why some listeners insist they can hear the difference, and whether it’s worth adding one to your digital audio chain.
I’ll be talking about the S.M.S.L G1 master clock, working alongside the S.M.S.L PL200 T CD transport and D200 DAC. We’ll look at how clock synchronization, jitter, and timing accuracy can affect your sound — and whether any of it really matters once the music starts playing.
If you’re into high-end audio, DACs, or digital timing, and you’ve ever wondered whether an external clock could make your system more precise or just more complicated, this one’s for you.
Links to the gear are below, and keep an eye out for the follow-up video where I’ll put the G1 to the test in a real system.
LINKS
S.M.S.L G1 master clock at Aoshida Audio - aoshida-audio.com/products/smsl-g1
S.M.S.L PL200 T CD transport - https://apos.audio/products/smsl-pl200-t-mqa-cd-transport-cd-player
S.M.S.L D200 DAC - aoshida-audio.com/products/smsl-d200
DAC timing issues - youtu.be/7gN1YZufPdQ
NOTE ON AI
The background image in the thumbnail is AI generated and does not represent any real DAC. The Audio Phil segments are clearly not real and therefore do not require an AI declaration.
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Disclaimer: Videos on this channel may include affiliate links and may feature software that has been received free of charge with an NFR (not for resale) licence, equipment that has been loaned or donated by a manufacturer or distributer, or equipment that has been bought for less than full retail price.
Do you really need a master clock for your hi-fi setup? Or is it just another audiophile upgrade that sounds better on paper than in practice? In this video, I explore what a master clock actually does, why some listeners insist they can hear the difference, and whether it’s worth adding one to your digital audio chain.
I’ll be talking about the S.M.S.L G1 master clock, working alongside the S.M.S.L PL200 T CD transport and D200 DAC. We’ll look at how clock synchronization, jitter, and timing accuracy can affect your sound — and whether any of it really matters once the music starts playing.
If you’re into high-end audio, DACs, or digital timing, and you’ve ever wondered whether an external clock could make your system more precise or just more complicated, this one’s for you.
Links to the gear are below, and keep an eye out for the follow-up video where I’ll put the G1 to the test in a real system.
LINKS
S.M.S.L G1 master clock at Aoshida Audio - aoshida-audio.com/products/smsl-g1
S.M.S.L PL200 T CD transport - https://apos.audio/products/smsl-pl200-t-mqa-cd-transport-cd-player
S.M.S.L D200 DAC - aoshida-audio.com/products/smsl-d200
DAC timing issues - youtu.be/7gN1YZufPdQ
NOTE ON AI
The background image in the thumbnail is AI generated and does not represent any real DAC. The Audio Phil segments are clearly not real and therefore do not require an AI declaration.
EQUIPMENT USED TO MAKE AUDIO MASTERCLASS VIDEOS
CAMERA - Sony Alpha A6600 amzn.to/3uj7Dtq
COMPUTER - Apple Mac Mini M2 Pro amzn.to/47tW6Wg
MICROPHONE - Sennheiser MKH 416 amzn.to/3QWWvuO
ALTERNATIVE MICROPHONE - AKG C414 amzn.to/3SLqCad
BUDGET MICROPHONE CHOICE - Rode shotgun amzn.to/3G0ni36
MICROPHONE PREAMPLIFIER - Comica LinkFlex AD2 amzn.to/40SMHFT
TELEPROMPTER - Padcaster Parrot alternatives amzn.to/40A55TJ
TELEPROMPTER SOFTWARE - PromptSmart Pro promptsmart.com
AUDIO INTERFACE - Behringer UMC202HD amzn.to/3ugj6db
HEADPHONES - Sony wired amzn.to/3sEjlht
SPEAKER CABLE - KabelDirekt amzn.to/3ucgQ6T
POWER AMPLIFIER - Fosi V3 amzn.to/3vRumNH
KEYLIGHT- Amaran 100d amzn.to/40A5Gor
FILL LIGHTS - Switti RGB amzn.to/3ufhOPu
SOFTBOX Phot-R alternatives amzn.to/3QGoTjJ
LIGHTING STANDS Phot-R alternatives amzn.to/3QWXOKe
MONITOR - Samsung UJ59 amzn.to/3MEoBsk
MONITOR ARM - Invision alternatives amzn.to/40SLqi5
MIC ARM - Yellowtech M!ka (10% discount) - shop.yellowtec.com/discount/AUDIO-DAVID
TRIPOD - Velbon alternatives amzn.to/46gu2oa
GREEN SCREEN - Elgato alternatives amzn.to/3SG2F3L
DESK - FlexiSpot E7 Pro amzn.to/3QVIWvS
ERGONOMIC CHAIR - FlexiSpot C7 Air Pro flexispot.com/flexispot-best-ergonomic-office-chair-c7
VIDEO EDITING - Apple Final Cut Pro apple.com/final-cut-pro
IMAGE EDITING - Adobe Photoshop amzn.to/3FZ7Ww0
AUDIO EDITING - Avid Pro Tools amzn.to/3QA5Wz7
NOTEBOOK - Leuchturm 1917 hardback amzn.to/47zonKX
PEN - Sakura Pigma archival pen Sakura Pigma archival pen amzn.to/47zz3cP
OSCILLOSCOPE - Hameg HM 203 alternatives amzn.to/47tWN1O
GROOMING - Philips 3000 nose hair trimmer amzn.to/40BdLJo
GROOMING - Nose plier amzn.to/41IOZaR
HAIR COLOUR - Just For Men amzn.to/475OgS1
HAIR CONDITIONER - TRESemmé Silky & Smooth amzn.to/41AdWFd
OPTICAL AID - tigerspecs.co.uk/item/jelli-multi-coloured-reading-glasses
Disclaimer: Videos on this channel may include affiliate links and may feature software that has been received free of charge with an NFR (not for resale) licence, equipment that has been loaned or donated by a manufacturer or distributer, or equipment that has been bought for less than full retail price.
