Aune SC1 Evo Audio Clock Review – Meticulous Atom-Level Fidelity
Aune SC1 Evo is a $699 USD Tailor Made OXCO, with Titans Technology, Independent Power Supply, AC and DC, Synchronised Isolated Outputs and a Wide Frequency range, with Low Jitter, Clock and Temperature Display. Today we will review for the first time ever an audio clock reclocker and explore how it changes the sound of a DAC, and see how Aune can improve your audio life with their Sc1 Evo.
Introduction
Aune has the habit of releasing products rarely, but each time they do, they are a blazing success, so today we review their more hidden, less popular products. After we had the chance to explore the Aune S9C PRO and Aune S17 PRO Evo, we explore something much more delicate, something high-end and specialized.
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Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3UOiHst
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_omjRw8z
Build Quality – Design
Aune Audio designed the SC1 Evo as a high performance external clock embedding an optimized audio architecture, using an OCXO oscillator, and FS-1 Frequency synthesized designed by Titans Audio Lab, with an efficient power supply and signal isolation. This provides two 10M Sine Wave outputs and two 10M Square Wave outputs with a phase synchronization of less than 0..00001 degree.
You can actually power the Aune SC1 Evo both via DC or AC, and its power supply stage incorporates a high-current low-noise LDO to provide a clean and stable electrical signal for the OCXO Clock. On the front we have just one display and one on/off button, and on the back we have 4 clock outputs, two sine wave outputs and two square wave outputs. This will allow you to experience two distinct sonic characters in a single device. The DC Power input is in the DC standard, different from the XLR the original SC1 was using.
If you want to see your clock live, Aune SC1 Evo has a full-color display, with a dedicated clock UI that monitors the core chamber temperature in real time. It shows red during warm-up, yellow when operational and green when running at optical temps.
For the power part of the Aune SC1 Evo, we have Cascade Symmetric Low-Noise Power Design, with stage-by-stage voltage regulation. This is an improvement over the original SC1 and it promises to unleash the full potential of the OCXO. As waiting until the DAC stage for a dedicated LDO will damage the sound, Aune SC1 Evo integrates ESS’s 2nd generation DAC-Specific Linear Power Supply directly from the clock circuit, delivering 80dB PSRR and Ultra-Low 1uV Output Noise.
As there is an AC and DC power input, you can use AC and the excellent internal power delivery, or you can provide SC1 Evo with a DC 12V input, similar to what Keces P14 Pier Linear Power Supply can provide, and this will still feed into the Multi-Lever Power Supply System.
For the tech savvy geeky audiophile, Aune SC1 Evo has an output frequency of 10 MHz x 4, and a Frequency Accuracy of 50ppb. The output Amplitude is 9 dBm for the Square Wave or 5 dBm for the Sine Wave. The output impedance is set at 50 OHMs and Close-In Phase Noise is -1000dBc. Short-Term Stability is 2E-12, with a basic Warm-Up time of 10 minutes. Quite interesting, but this might highlight why some people experience a far better sound after their system has been running for 10-30 minutes, as most systems have an internal clock, and it takes time to warm-up and stabilize properly.
Subjective Usage And Sound Quality
Pairings – We have in our library a couple of DACs that support a BNC input and which can work with the aune SC1 Evo, including Aune X1s GT, Aune S9C PRO, and Mytek Brooklyn DAC+. Those have been the DACs in the test, and we also have tested whether Keces P14 Pier can improve the sound of the whole setup, as it is an ultra low noise linear power supply.
The overall effect that Aune SC1 Evo has on a DAC is quite obvious with all the DACs connected to it, it can minizime Jitter, which usually produces a more smeared, less detailed sound, creating a more vivid, more precise sound that appears more detailed and which reveals more information. This is rather obvious in the textures and soundstage, the added contrast being perceived as clarity and accuracy, improved definition and impact. The idea of using a digital audio clock which is external to the DAC is not new, but it can significantly improve bass definition, instrumental contrast and imaging, by providing a precise timing for the signal.
Another key element through which an external clock like Aune Sc1 Evo can improve sound is by having absolute isolation for the clock, basically allowing the digital clock to have its own power supply, separate from the power supplies of the DAC, AMP and other elements. This helps by preventing the interference from power supplies, electromagnetic leakage, and sometimes even the physical movement (piezoelectric effect) which can damage the internal clock signal and degrade the sound quality.
Overall, you can expect to hear, with all of the above DACs and likely all the other DACs, an improved clarity and detail, with less blur and better articulation of textures, especially relevant if you prefer an analytic, rich and organic signature. I did a test with a couple of non-audiophile friends, and all of them reported that they hear the sound as deeper, more 3D and more holographic when SC1 Evo is implemented in a setup.
Microdynamics or subtle changes in the volume, along with tightness are also improved by the usage of an external audio clock, creating a more engaging, more involving sound, this in return increasing the whole system transparency and creating a more complete, pure sound. Now, this has a signature of its own, and regardless whether you’re using the sine or the square wave output, you will hear a much more analytical, more precise signature.
There is a difference between the sound signature of the Square and of the Sine wave, the sine wave feels as if the sound is a bit smoother and more organic, while the square wave clock sound is more solid, tighter, and more crisp. This being said, the effect of the SC1 Evo is that all DACs I tested with have a far improved definition and resolution, so it leads to a much more analytical, less relaxed, less smooth and more impactful, more engaging sound. The difference can be quite drastic, it works really well for dramatic classical music, metal, rock, EDM and Pop, but it won’t sound relaxed and laid back, and it brings forward textures, potentially accentuating how well you hear the good and the bad in music alike. You can expect a good recording to sound brilliant, but a poor recording might show even more of what you don’t want to hear, so with Sc1 Evo, the quality of your music will matter even more.
Adding Keces P14 Pier to the mix has been a mixed experience. On one hand, if you’re using P14 to power just Aune SC1 Evo, it will result in an improved sonic clarity, improved impact and an even better sound. On the other hand, if you’re powering both Sc1 Evo, and an additional device, like a DAC or an AMP, at the same time, or even the streamer, at the same time, it will stress the internals of P14 and then using the internal high-end power supply of the Sc1 Evo will result in a better sound. Keeping it in the family also seems to work well, as Aune Sc1 Evo with S9 PRO and S17 PRO Evo driving a pair of HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled, Palma DHS-1, and Erzetich Mania V2024 works beautifully, sometimes better than using SC1 Evo to feed Mytek Brooklyn DAC+.
Value and Conclusion
While Aune are known to be value kings, they have designed a more premium product, like Sc1 Evo, which produces a reliable clock signal, can heavily improve a system, but it is an add-on for a system. Considering the price tag of 699 USD, it is best used to refine a system you are already rather happy with, the effects it has are comparable to what a good cable does for an audio system, so if you don’t own them already, Aune S9C PRO and Aune S17 PRO Evo are to be purchased first, and Aune Sc1 Evo will complete your setup for the best resolution, highest clarity possible.
At the end of the day, Aune Audio is an excellent clock source, it can generate reliable clock signal, both sine and square, but it results in a sound that is always more detailed, more crisp and more sharp. If this sounds like what you’re looking for, a more analytical, tighter and more precise signature, then Aune Sc1 Evo will fully be worth your time and effort to integrate in a system and enjoy.
PROs
- Reliable build quality, comparable to Aune S9c Pro and Aune S17 PRO Evo
- Doesn’t get hot during usage, never shuts down or experiences any issues
- More detailed, crisp and revealing sound when it is added to a system
- Rather high impact for most DACs that can use it
- Soundstage is more holographic, and the whole signature becomes more engaging when using it
- Simple to use
Cons
- It universally adds more detail and makes the sound more crisp, potentially revealing harsh and bright elements more
- Most DACs don’t have an external clock input, make sure yours has
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3UOiHst
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_omjRw8z
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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