Auralic Leo GX.1 - Reference Master Clock

The Auralic Leo GX.1 - Reference Master Clock continues providing trademark levels of performance in digital audio clocking. The LEO GX.1 offers “beyond-measurement” levels of precision, a much wider sound stage, pinpoint instrumental accuracy, and dynamic range beyond expectation.

The Leo GX.1 will dramatically enhance your listening experience by circumventing the DAC’s internal clock. This shields the unit from noise with an internal copper enclosure, and utilises a new advanced multi-spring suspension system available on all G2.1 products.

Traditional Clocking

Normally, phase-locked loop circuits (PLL) in a DAC are used to synchronise its internal working signal with the more accurate incoming signal from a reference clock. But they’re noisy. And even though the working signal can be nudged a bit to match up with the reference signal, its frequency — and the precision of the analog waveform that’s based on it — is ultimately limited by the DAC’s own clock circuit.

Direct-to-DAC Design

Thanks to its unique Jitter-Free Operation, when the VEGA G2.1 joins forces with the LEO GX.1 these devices accomplish something extraordinary. Instead of merely synchronising with the LEO GX.1, the VEGA G2.1 actually uses the exceptionally high frequency incoming clock from the LEO GX.1 directly — as its own working signal.

In other words the LEO GX.1 bypasses the internal VEGA G2.1 clock circuit entirely, and drives waveform creation directly with its signal. No more PLL, and no more limitations.

A New Description of Performance

The LEO GX.1 clock is so precise that existing benchmarks aren’t detailed enough to accurately represent what it can do. Instead, Auralic use Allan deviation to describe the resolution of the LEO GX.1, which is like looking at phase noise closely enough to detect shifts of +/-1Hz or even +/-0.1Hz.

The Allan deviation of the LEO GX.1 Reference Master Clock comes in at 2E-12 (at 1 second), which is equal to a 10MHz rubidium atomic clock with phase noise of +/-1Hz at -110dBc/Hz, or an amazing 500 times less jitter than an 82fs Femto clock oscillator.

Clock Structure

LEO GX.1 hardware starts with two temperature-controlled rubidium atomic reference clocks. Each is paired with an oscillator using stress compensated cut crystals, for thermal and mechanical resilience and low phase noise performance. The result is the LEO GX.1’s remarkably high signal frequencies: 90.316MHz for 44.1k-based audio signals, and 98.304MHz for 48k-based signals.

Optical Isolation

Auralic have gone to great lengths to reduce interference and noise in the new LEO GX.1, including the use of optical isolation techniques that keep systems physically separated from each other. Control signals from the processing circuit are sent to the clock circuit via fiber optic cables instead of electrical pathways, so the source of LEO GX.1’s impeccable timing is never disturbed.

Realise Full Potential

The LEO GX.1 is such a precise clock, running at very high frequency, you will need the best interconnect cable to realize its full potential. Auralic have created a cable specifically for LEO GX.1, made from 60GHz bandwidth military aerospace-grade material and connectors. Handmade and precisely tuned, it comes with a performance data report so you can be sure its specs are well capable of the task at hand

Lightning Link

The HDMI-type, 18Gbps high-speed connection provides ultra-fast two-way communication and boasts the only real jitter-free link in the world of high-performance audio. As an added bonus, G2 and G2.1 products can be linked without worry, allowing them to work seamlessly, as one contiguous digital source for an astonishing musical experience.

What's in the Box?

• AURALiC LEO GX.1 Reference Master Clock
• Hex Wrench (for use of tighten clock cable)
• User's Guide
• Power Cable
• Lightning-Link Cable
• 60GHz aerospace grade clock cables

Technical Specifications