CTronic Music Boston
Master Clocks - The EtherREGEN - The Home Audio Network
CTronic Music of Boston is the North American Distributor for AfterDark Audio Equipment Products and Services. We are proud to offer their full line of OCXO Master Clocks, Linear Power Supplies and numerous network based hi-end audio devices. We are a full service distributor and partner with AfterDark handling all their product, marketing, sales, warranty and service inquiries for North America, Europe and Africa. Our corporate offices and warranty service facility is located in Danvers, Massachusetts on Boston’s North Shore.
These incredible audio devices have exploded onto the US audio scene. Offering true, reference level performance at prices formerly unimaginable. The Editors of Stereotimes and other well-known magazines in the UK, Germany, France and Italy have all requested demo units. The secret is out, nothing comes close to delivering this level of audio improvement. Plug this master clock into your Uptone Audio EtherREGEN and prepare to have your mind blown!
We guarantee it or your money back!
None of us involved in hi-end audio be it any of the OEMs, dealers, distributors or even the super knowledgeable audiophiles fully
understood just how much audio improvement was available to us via our own home audio networks?
We just didn't know and honestly how could we have known?
Many of todays Hi Fi audio devices such as streamers, network players and DAC's already perform many of the requisite duties of cleaning, re-clocking and making the bits from our home audio network sound great. The home audio network just wasn’t something anyone was looking at real closely. We thought everything was fine. In fairness, why would we have not? Our systems sounded great? It just wasn’t in our audio upgrade consciousness.
We were focused on DAC chips and all the new emerging network based devices themselves but the network as its own discrete, individual entity
was not yet on our radars. We know now this was a mistake but we didn't know that at the time. Hindsight is always 20/20!
As network based streaming audio gained in popularity we naturally started to look at the network more closely. We started with the simple and most obvious upgrades such as improving our Ethernet cables and removing all the SMPS (wall warts) from our audio systems. We replaced the wall warts with linear power supplies. These changes seemed to help. In some cases we even added an upgraded or modified network switch and this seemed to push the performance even further. The important point to take out of this is the network was finally a legitimate area of focus. We were learning that we could obtain meaningful audio improvement from improving our home network. Truth be told these changes were just starting to scratch the surface. Real innovation is what drives real change in the audio industry and real innovation was just around the corner.
The real change started to happen with the introduction of the outstanding Uptone Audio EtherREGEN. Alex Crespi and John Swenson, a couple of the audio industry’s brightest stars created a device that truly makes a significant difference. There was nothing else out there quite like it. It is a legitimate ground breaking device. Not only does the Uptone Audio EtherREGEN do a much better job at cleaning and re-clocking our home audio networks, they had the foresight to include a BNC Clock input. This input allows the EtherREGEN's internal clock to be bypassed so it can accept a much more powerful 10MHz signal from an OCXO Master Clock. This changed everything. It was an absolute game changer! Make no doubt about it streaming audio will never be same!
The EtherREGEN's true brilliance was unleashed with a vengeance when it was tethered to a powerful master clock. The two working in tandem blew the boundaries wide open of what was thought possible. No one had any idea this combo could improve our systems like this! It is unreal!
When you insert an industrial strength oven controlled crystal oscillator into your home audio network that would normally be found in a high tech manufacturing environment the impact on streaming audio is just breathtaking! An OCXO Master Clock is an incredibly powerful device. One much-much more powerful then our home network requires to work properly. That is the catch. We just didn’t know. What the network requires to work properly and what is the best for streaming audio are two very different things. So much more so than anyone ever knew! It was a true eye opener.
This in many ways is a true learning event for the audio industry. Employing this level of concentrated timing precision and accuracy has never been attempted like this before. The more precise and accurate the timing the more it sounds like analog. In this unique situation using a much more powerful timing device you would think it would sound more like better digital. That the sound would be cleaner, quicker, sharper and more dynamic. This is not the case. It sounds more natural and organic, more relaxed. The music sounds closer, more intimate, more delicate with some natural warmth while being more transparent with heft. It's totally different from what past experience has taught us. This hyper-clocked sound it addictive. It sounds like your listening to a better recoding. It strips off layer after layer and reveals a level transparency that heightens the entire musical event. Everything becomes closer and fuller like that of a master tape. It is digital music that doesn't sound like digital. It sounds like analogue, very good analog.
Folks that have bought our master clocks and attached them to their EtherREGEN's ask me how I am the only one doing this. They are amazed. Asking why isn’t this on the cover of Stereophile? My response is simple. Because it's brand new, it an emerging technology, out on the bleeding edge but folks are starting to learn and learn quickly.
Read the Stereotimes review he can’t believe it. He was blown away!
The combination of these unique, specialty devices (EtherREGEN & Queen Master Clock) each performing their own very specific role allows digital audio to hit its true potential. This is digital audio at its very best. There isn't a CD player or SACD player on the planet that can compete with this. I don't care what they cost. This tech has made more then a few high end audio items obsolete.
Prepare to have your mind blown!
We are just so thrilled with the customer feedback coming in.
Our UIO (units in operation) is growing and quickly. Many
folks have been kind enough to share their
thoughts and experience with us.
Below is a few snippets from the emails, texts and messages:
Frank this sounds amazing, unbelievable, how is this possible, can’t believe it, thank you Frank, OMG are you serious,
unreal, draw dropping, Frank you undersold it and what you wrote was borderline silly, unbelievable, absurdly good, I
would pay $10,000 for this, Frank I never thought this was possible, I thought you were over exaggerating,
just astonishing, shocking, Flabbergasted and this list goes on. I am going to ask folks
if I can share their full emails and texts to make it easier but honestly every single person
says the same thing.
They all say:
It is so much better than I thought it would be.
The concept behind mastering the network-based time domain is grounded in solid science, it is measurable and verifiable. Yet it runs
contrary to how audio upgrades paths have traditionally come forth. The bottom line is this kind of increased sound quality has
always cost a lot more money! Much more!
Not only is this an incredible upgrade standing on its own, but it is disproportionately inexpensive. If we based our prices on actual audio improvement our prices would increase 10-fold. The good news our products price for performance are industry bests and we only charge based on the device. This combination of very different, specialty devices has produced a result that has far exceeded what anyone thought possible. Our devices along with those of our friends and colleagues over at Uptown Audio are the best bang for buck components you can buy on the market today bar none! Our Master Clocks and Linear Power Supplies vastly improve upon the excellent Uptone Audio EtherREGEN! You just cannot get this kind of Improvement anywhere else.
Featured: AfterDark Project CLAY GIESEMANN OCXO Queen Master Clock is an audiophile-grade reference master clock that generates 10MHz signals with vanishingly low jitter to considerably enhance digital playback systems with remarkable clarity and dynamics. The Queen Master unlocks the transparency and full dynamic range of your soundstage with incredible dimensionality and detail, free from digital blurring. Ideal for high-end studios, mastering suites, and home Hi Fi audio playback systems, the Queen Master delivers the precision and audio purity your digital playback chain has been missing.
We believe and the test data shows one of the most commonly under-resourced yet critically important aspects in the audio chain is the network time domain. Mastering the network time domain and how it relates to the overall quality of the musical presentation has not been thoroughly exhausted or solved up until this point. Not until now that is. This combo changes everything! It's impact will change your system like before has or could.
NEWLY RELEASED: Stereotimes Review - Michael Girardi Senior Editor Stereotimes
An All-Out Assault on Jitter
I absolutely loved the AfterDark OCXO Clock, Linear Power Supply, and Black River BNC digital cable products so much for what it does in my system. The improvement in my system was profound. It transformed my digital front end in ways not experienced with past.
It all came together recently since I bypassed the internal clock in the EtherRegen with the AfterDark OCXO Clock.
It clearly demonstrated how important the accuracy of the time domain has on our home Ethernet network in the reproduction of music. With the significant reduction in digital artifacts, transients were reconstructed with superior stability and rhythmic integrity, presenting individual instrumental attacks with remarkable clarity. The music's overall pace and timing became more natural with AfterDark Clock, Linear Power Supply, and Black River BNC digital cable installed.
Once I swapped these into my system, I was hearing things I had not heard before. I was hearing further into the recording, appreciating a surprisingly large increase in microdynamic contrasts and bass articulation. The double bass response was tighter and displayed significantly less overhang.
The piano displayed a greater sense of space and depth within the soundstage and possessed a more natural tone. I also heard a greater weight of the piano, enhanced pitch definition and more complex textures from the double bass. The improvement in my system was profound in ways not achieved by tweaks, isolation, cables, etc; the impact of a dedicated clocking system was shown to be at the heart of digital reproduction.
There was also added weight to the music while the music took on a greater sense of realism. Given the added sense of space with nothing between you and the music, I had no thoughts of going back to the internal clock in my EtherRegen. My digital front end was transformed. The value for the dollar of this upgrade is in the absolute upper echelon of upgrades you can make. I loved the AfterDark products.
I immediately purchased the review samples.
My highest recommendation.
Michael Girardi
Senior Editor of Stereotimes Magazine
Distributor
https://ctronicmusic.com/
All New DEMO - Free Trial Program - 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
If you don't absolutely love it then just sent it back for a Full Refund less shipping fee's.
It is as simple as that!
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CTronic Music Boston: Hi End Audio experts. We have designed, built and installed hundreds of Hi Fi Audio systems. Some incredibly ambitious, others more modest and our specialty, the best "Bang for Buck" audio system. This is our passion! We will get you the best sound for your money!
Working for years and still today under member name Fsmithjack on both Audiogon.com and US AudioMart.com. We have accumulated a ton of immaculate customer Feedback. Please take some time to read through it. It shows how we genuinely care about our customers and the small group of other fellow audiophiles.
Yes, we are the exclusive North American Distributor for AfterDark products and service but honestly we offer so much more! We consult, design and will help you with your system. Shoot us an email / message and let us show you how helpful we can be. In all honestly we are different, we make a point of going out of our way to assist regardless if you buy any of our products. We are more interested in building rapport, developing relationships and helping a fellow audiophile. We know the sales will follow. We are changing how folks improve their audio system one person at a time.
OCXO Master Clocks and Linear Power Supplies x 2
The combination of a world class OCXO master clock and clean power from a robust linear power supply attached to an Uptone Audio EtherRegen will transform your Hi Fi system like nothing you have ever experienced before. Our listening tests combined with overwhelmingly positive consumer feedback confirms this is the best bang for buck upgrade you can make. It is the missing link in todays, modern, Ethernet based Hi Fi systems. We have solved this riddle and bring you this remarkable upgrade at attainable, real world value prices.
My Personal Reference Audio System
This is the current iteration of my personal audio system. I decided a little ways back to move away from analog audio entirely to focus solely on digital.
I have a couple new digital additions I’m super excited about.
The first is the new S-Series from Antipodes. This series features their new flagship OLADRA sound engine tech but at a lower price point due to coming in a half width chassis and offering the upgraded power supply as an option sold separately.
I purchased the S40 Music server/player that features the V5.2H music engine also found in the much more expensive K30. All the performance with a lower cost.
To maximize the S40‘s performance I also purchased the optional, Antipodes S60 HLS-50 hybrid switched linear power supply. It is the same power supply built into the K-Series flagship models yet in a modular, eternal version with dual power rails. This power supply tech is a huge step forward for Antipodes and it is tuned for speed and precision.
My other recent addition was the special order AfterDark Emperor Double Crown 10MHz Master Clock (75Ohm, SinWave) with Mini-circuits BLP-75+ low pass filter. The combo is an absolute revelation. It’s the main reason I decided to move on from analog audio. When digital audio sounds this amazing it has for all intents and purposes made analog audio obsolete. Well, in my system anyways it has.
I included the full details of my system below. Please share with me any recommendations, comments, feedback or even criticism.
I hope to hear from you.
Thanks for your interest. I truly and genuinely appreciate it.
Trade-in UPGRADE Program
The AfterDark equipment Trade-in Upgrade Program was created by CTronic Music Boston to provide all our loyal customers with a clear and simple path to upgrade their audio equipment.
We will offer you up to 80% of the full purchase you paid for your equipment toward any AfterDark item or items on the CTronic Music Boston website (this website).
With new, higher performing AfterDark master clocks, power supplies and cables being added to our growing portfolio of products many customers have been asking for a Trade-in Upgrade Program.
Here it is. In response to your numerous requests, we are rolling out this new program. Our goal is to support all our customers and their ever-evolving audio systems!
Please CLICK below for the TRADE-IN QUOTE FORM and the program details.
If your device is in the same condition as when you bought it and you still have all the hardware, accessories and shipping materials we can offer you 80% of the purchase price you paid for your item toward any other AfterDark product or products listed on the CTronic Music Boston website (this website). CTronic Music wants to provide our customers with options and a simple path to upgrade your audio system.
Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator
Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator Basics
An OCXO (or Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator) is near the top of the food-chain when it comes to quartz-based frequency control devices, superseded only by the mighty DOCXO or Double Oven!
An OCXO is a temperature-controlled device that maintains a quartz crystal's constant operating temperature. This prevents changes in the specified frequency due to variations in ambient temperature.
The frequency output of a crystal oven is dependent on the temperature of the quartz crystal. You can see in the figure below that temperature can have a significant impact on frequency of the oscillator.
The Story of a Queen
The AfterDark Queen Master
Today’s available digital converters, clocks, and audio re-clockers perform acceptably well reproducing or processing digital audio. Even so, we at AfterDark along with our North American partners on the Charles River, Ctronic Music Boston felt the existing products that enhance digital playback, OCXO clocks and linear power supply solutions are way overpriced. We knew we could bring a line of products to market at a much lower price while substantially increasing digital playback performance. Just look at how exceptionally well our products measure and the subjective consumer and reviewer response has been nothing short of astounding.
We are proud to offer this high fidelity, precision audio device at an unrivaled price. The performance per dollar cannot be matched. It has made traditional audio upgrades obsolete. You do not want to spend money on any traditional upgrade before you add an Uptone Audio EtherRegen and the Queen Master. If needed the Queen Masters side kick the LPS x 2 if you do not already own an LPS. They make humble audio systems dramatically better, and they make ambitious system improve a great deal as well. It is a very satisfying product offering.
In our commitment to advancing the state of the art and science we set out to investigate the possibilities to further enhance the performance of digital audio systems. To do so, our R&D team set out to build the very best clock we could. That ended up being the Emperor Giesemann EVA clock. This clock measures Phase Noise@ 10Hz -145 and Phase Noise@ 1 -121. The Emperor Giesemann EVA is the clock we worked from to develop the Queen Master. The Queen Master reflects many of the lessons learned and employs much of the same technology as The Emperor Giesemann EVA.
The AfterDark R&D team developed a master clock generator with a technical performance beyond what we thought was possible for the price. The result of the Queen Masters performance was then verified by a group of experienced audiophile beta testers to ensure the hard work translated into best-in-class sound.
The end result of our extensive efforts is the Queen Master: a superior 10 MHz reference master clock with a price to performance ratio unrivaled anywhere combining uncompromising engineering with the beauty of simplicity and the utmost clock precision.
Linear Power Supply x 2
A well laid-out main linear power supply constitutes the basis for exceptional high-end product performance. To meet this requirement, we specifically designed for the Queen Master a dual rail linear power supply based on a Nuvotem Talema Encapsulated Transformer: 25VA with Fast Acting Fuse Protection. It features two simultaneously driven voltage output jacks to power both the Queen Master and the Uptone Audio EtherREGEN. It provides Phillips BC 2200uf/25v x 4 Reservoir Caps, total of 8800uf and AC Noise Filter: UK RIFA RFI Suppression Caps & Noise Filter for the best suppression for the supply voltages. The Incoming AC: Japan Made EDK Switch / Furutech IEC and Schurter Gold Fuse for Audio Optimization, High Speed Rectifier with RIFA 0.1uf Bypass Caps. It has Phillips 1% Precision Resistors, Panasonic FC 120uf, 390uf Decoupling Caps, Mexico Made premium Inductors and Analog Device OP177 for Voltage Error Feedback Compensation and a Toshiba Pass Power Transistor. It is housed in a high-quality Integrated Aluminum Heat-sink chassis with premium Carbon Fiber 6mm/1mm Front & Back Plates. This premium, quiet power supply is the perfect partner for your Queen master and Uptone EtherRegen. You choose a fixed voltage that is the same for both rails from Voltage Ratings: 5VDC/3.5A, 9VDC/2.5A, 12VDC/2A, 19VDC/1.5A, 24VDC/1A. Default is 12VDC/2A.
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CTronic Music Boston
Stereotimes Testimonials
All New ** Combo Discount Package **
All New ** Combo Discount Package **
Mitch from Stereotimes Magazine
The AfterDark OCXO Clock and Power Supply took my present streamer to another level that I never imagined possible. After adding the popular EtherRegen to my system, I was completely amazed by the improvements in sonics, however upon adding the AfterDark clock and power supply it was "game over". The music immediately became more naturally relaxed and organic.
It was like listening to a different system, everything became so naturally transparent and spacey. The sound stage became enormous, every instrument had weight that transformed the music into a lifelike venue. Voices became more velvety and pronounced with a sense of purity and realism. Never would I have suspected that adding the AfterDark OCXO clock and Power Supply would bring these types of results and unforgettable musical joy.
A must have in the world of streaming music.
All New ** Combo Discount Package **
All New ** Combo Discount Package **
All New ** Combo Discount Package **
** COMBO DISCOUNT PKG ** AfterDark PROJECT CLAYX GIESEMAN OCXO 10MHz Queen Master Clock and Modernize LP2 x 2 10M edition COMBO DISCOUNT PACKAGE
Premium Hi-End Audio Products
Queen Master Clocks and Modernize LPS now shipping from Boston
Premium Hi-End Audio Products
Out in front as the Van Guard of Network Based Streaming Audio for the 21 Century
Queen Master Clocks and Modernize LPS now shipping from Boston
Queen Master Clocks and Modernize LPS now shipping from Boston
Queen Master Clocks and Modernize LPS now shipping from Boston