dCS Vivaldi Master Clock Ex-Demonstration

The dCS Vivaldi Master Clock is the dedicated clocking component in dCS's flagship Vivaldi system, designed to reduce jitter to vanishingly low levels and bring a measurable improvement to every component it serves. This is an ex-demonstration unit in excellent condition, available at a significant saving on the new price.

What Does a Master Clock Actually Do?

In any digital audio system, samples must be accurate in both level and time. Jitter — timing errors in the digital stream — causes the analogue signal to be reconstructed inaccurately. Most digital components have a built-in clock, but a dedicated external master clock of this quality operates at a fundamentally different standard of precision.

The Vivaldi Master Clock features two banks of clock outputs, each capable of outputting different frequencies simultaneously, making it possible to synchronise multiple components across a dCS system — or indeed other manufacturers' equipment designed to accept standard Word Clock on 75-ohm coaxial cable.

Phase-Locked-Loop Technology

dCS were among the first to introduce external clocking to domestic digital audio, and the Vivaldi Master Clock represents decades of refinement in that work. Its multi-stage Phase-Locked-Loop (PLL) system controls jitter from the incoming audio stream with what dCS describe as world-beating accuracy. The PLL is also capable of slaving to an external reference — such as an atomic clock or GPS source — should still greater precision be required.

Crystal Oscillator Engineering

Every Vivaldi Master Clock leaves the Cambridge factory having passed rigorous in-house testing. The crystal oscillators are pre-aged, selected for long-term stability, and individually calibrated across a wide temperature range. A sophisticated microcontroller manages smooth correction as temperature changes — an approach dCS say delivers a more stable result than oven-controlled oscillators or atomic clocks alone.

Updateable by Design

dCS's approach to programmable logic means the Vivaldi Master Clock can receive software updates — whether to add new features, improve performance, or adapt to evolving digital formats. It is a product built to remain relevant.

What It Does to the Sound

When the Vivaldi Master Clock is added to a dCS system, the improvement is not subtle. Images sharpen, the music gains authority and weight, and low-level detail becomes significantly more resolved. It is the component that takes an already exceptional digital source and clarifies everything further.

The dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC and dCS Vivaldi Upsampler are natural partners for this clock, completing the Vivaldi stack. If you are building towards the full system, the dCS Rossini Master Clock is also available for those at the Rossini level.

Technical Specifications

Who Is This For?

This is for the committed dCS system owner — or the buyer stepping into the Vivaldi range — who understands that clocking is not an optional extra at this level. If you own a Vivaldi APEX DAC or dCS Bartók APEX and have not yet added a dedicated master clock, this ex-demonstration unit represents a rare opportunity to do so.

Buying from Martins Hi-Fi

Martins Hi-Fi has been in Norwich since 1968. Elizabeth Gould runs the business today, and we stock only brands we have heard properly and stand behind. dCS is one of the most significant relationships we hold — their equipment is demonstrated properly in our Norwich showroom, and Dave and Chris can talk you through exactly how this clock integrates into your system.

This ex-demonstration Vivaldi Master Clock is in excellent condition and has been checked over before being offered for sale. Contact us to discuss its history and condition in full.

Contact us at [email protected], call 01603 627010, or WhatsApp on 07554 687137. You can read more about how we work on our Why Martins Hi-Fi page. We are at 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY.