{"product_id":"matrix-audio-sc-1-audio-grade-reference-clock","title":"Matrix Audio SC-1 Audio Grade Reference Clock","description":"\u003ch1\u003eMatrix Audio SC-1 Audio Grade Reference Clock at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe SC-1 is an audio-grade reference clock from Matrix Audio (Xi'an, China), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, New York. Matrix Audio's first dedicated clock source, the SC-1 is built around a custom-made \u003cstrong\u003eSC-cut Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO)\u003c\/strong\u003e that generates a 10MHz master reference signal with a measured phase noise of \u003cstrong\u003e-118dBc\/Hz at 1Hz offset\u003c\/strong\u003e and 20 femtoseconds of jitter in the 1 to 100Hz band, with a frequency accuracy better than ±0.01ppm at shipping. Four independent 10MHz BNC outputs, each with its own dedicated buffer and driver circuit, supply a pristine and isolated 50-ohm clock signal to up to four compatible streamers, DACs, or CD players simultaneously. A 1PPS reference input allows the internal OCXO to be calibrated against an external GPS or atomic reference for absolute long-term accuracy. The SC-1 received the Essential Audition Award from Pursuit Perfect System in November 2025.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSC-Cut OCXO: Superior Phase Noise and Aging Characteristics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStandard crystal oscillators use an AT-cut crystal, a simpler manufacturing process with acceptable phase noise for most applications. The SC-1 uses an SC-cut crystal, a more complex cutting angle that yields superior phase noise performance and significantly better long-term frequency aging characteristics compared to AT-cut designs. The crystal is housed inside a thermally regulated oven chamber that maintains a constant operating temperature regardless of ambient conditions, shielding the oscillator from the environmental fluctuations that degrade phase noise and introduce frequency drift in uncontrolled designs. The oven circuit and the clock circuit are powered by completely independent regulated supplies within the SC-1's advanced linear power supply. The result is a 10MHz signal that is accurate to less than ±0.01ppm at the point of shipping, stable to less than 0.003ppm across -40°C to +70°C of ambient temperature variation, and measurably more precise than the internal clocks of any streamer, DAC, or CD transport it replaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFour Independent Buffered Outputs and CBVB Isolation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupplying a reference clock to multiple components simultaneously requires more than a passive signal splitter. When multiple devices share a single clock output through a simple split, each device's input impedance loads the signal differently, degrading the impedance match and introducing reflections that add noise back onto the clock line. The SC-1 addresses this with four independent 10MHz BNC outputs, each with its own dedicated buffer amplifier and driver circuit maintaining a stable 50-ohm impedance. Any variation at one output or at one connected device cannot travel back to influence the other outputs. Each connected component receives the same pristine, isolated 10MHz reference as if it were the sole recipient. The chassis provides excellent electromagnetic shielding to protect the OCXO from external interference, and proprietary CBVB (Ceramic Ball Vibration Buffer) isolation feet on the underside absorb micro-vibrations from the support surface that would otherwise modulate the crystal's operating frequency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAwards and Critical Recognition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEssential Audition Award, Pursuit Perfect System, November 2025\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCustom SC-Cut OCXO Module:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oven-controlled SC-cut crystal oscillator in a thermally regulated chamber delivers frequency accuracy below ±0.01ppm, stability below 0.003ppm across -40°C to +70°C, and short-term stability of less than 5x10-13 at 1 second averaging time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e-118dBc\/Hz Phase Noise at 1Hz Offset:\u003c\/strong\u003e Measured at the output ports rather than the oscillator alone, the SC-1's phase noise of -118dBc\/Hz at 1Hz, -140dBc\/Hz at 10Hz, and -150dBc\/Hz at 100Hz represents a reference-grade timing signal for the most demanding digital audio systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e20 Femtoseconds of Jitter (1-100Hz Band):\u003c\/strong\u003e Measured jitter of 20 femtoseconds in the audio-relevant 1 to 100Hz frequency band provides a timing reference orders of magnitude more precise than the internal clocks of any consumer audio component.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFour Independent Buffered 10MHz BNC Outputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each output has its own dedicated buffer amplifier and 50-ohm driver circuit, preventing any single connected device from loading or influencing the other outputs and ensuring each receives a perfect, isolated clock signal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1PPS Reference Calibration Input:\u003c\/strong\u003e A 1 pulse-per-second BNC input allows the internal OCXO to be calibrated and disciplined against an external GPS receiver or atomic clock reference for absolute long-term frequency accuracy beyond the factory specification.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConfigurable Sine or Square Wave Output:\u003c\/strong\u003e The waveform type is factory-set to match the requirements of the connected components, since some streamers and DACs accept sine wave while others require square wave input at their 10MHz clock port.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdvanced Linear Power Supply with Dual Multi-Stage Regulators:\u003c\/strong\u003e Completely independent regulated power supplies for the oven control circuit and the clock circuit eliminate cross-contamination between these two noise-sensitive sections.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCBVB Proprietary Isolation Feet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ceramic Ball Vibration Buffer isolation feet absorb and dissipate mechanical micro-vibrations from the support surface before they reach the OCXO module, protecting the crystal's operating environment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eN Series and M Series Ecosystem Integration:\u003c\/strong\u003e The SC-1 supplies a master timing reference to the Matrix Audio NT-1 transport, ND-1 DAC, MS-1 and MS-1c streamers, and any other compatible component with a 10MHz clock input, locking the entire digital chain to a single master timebase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProduct Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAudio Grade Reference Clock\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOscillator Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCustom OCXO (Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator), SC-cut crystal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOutput Frequency\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10.000 MHz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrequency Accuracy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLess than ±0.01ppm (at shipping)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrequency Stability\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLess than 0.003ppm (-40°C to +70°C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShort-Term Stability\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLess than 5x10-13 at TaU = 1s\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarm-Up Time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLess than 5 minutes at 25°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhase Noise at 1Hz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e-118 dBc\/Hz or lower\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhase Noise at 10Hz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e-140 dBc\/Hz or lower\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhase Noise at 100Hz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e-150 dBc\/Hz or lower\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNoise Floor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e-170 dBc\/Hz or lower\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJitter (1-100Hz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 femtoseconds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOutput Ports\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4x BNC (independent driver buffers)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOutput Waveform\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSine wave or square wave (factory set)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOutput Impedance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 ohm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReference Calibration Input\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1PPS (BNC)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIsolation Feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCBVB (Ceramic Ball Vibration Buffer)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVoltage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAC 100V-120V, 50\/60Hz (auto-adaptive)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMax Power Consumption\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLess than 20W\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e330 x 267 x 97mm (W x D x H)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.4kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIncluded Accessories\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower cable, printed materials\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eConnections at a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e4x BNC 10MHz Output (independent buffered, 50 ohm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1x BNC 1PPS Reference Calibration Input\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eIEC Power Input (auto-adaptive 100V-120V)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the Matrix Audio SC-1?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Matrix Audio SC-1 is an audio-grade reference clock built around a custom SC-cut Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator generating a 10MHz output signal at -118dBc\/Hz phase noise at 1Hz offset, 20 femtoseconds of jitter in the 1 to 100Hz band, and frequency accuracy better than ±0.01ppm. Four independent buffered 10MHz BNC outputs supply up to four compatible digital audio components simultaneously. It received the Pursuit Perfect System Essential Audition Award in November 2025 and is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, New York.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does the Matrix Audio SC-1 compare to the Mutec REF10 or Cybershaft OP21A?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Matrix Audio SC-1 competes directly with reference clock sources such as the Mutec REF10 and Cybershaft OP21A. The Mutec REF10 is a well-established OCXO-based 10MHz clock with six outputs using a standard AT-cut crystal design. The Cybershaft OP21A uses an OCXO with very low phase noise figures and is manufactured in Japan. The SC-1 differentiates with its SC-cut crystal, a more complex cut than AT that provides superior aging characteristics and lower phase noise at close-in offsets, four independent dedicated buffer amplifiers per output rather than a split signal, a 1PPS calibration input for GPS or atomic reference disciplining, proprietary CBVB isolation feet, and fully independent regulated power supplies for the oven and clock circuits within a dual-stage linear power supply design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does an external reference clock actually do for a digital audio system?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery digital audio component contains an internal crystal oscillator that times the digital signal processing and output stages. When a streamer, DAC, or CD transport accepts a 10MHz external clock input, it can lock its internal timing to the external reference instead of its own oscillator. The SC-1's OCXO generates a 10MHz signal that is far more stable and phase-noise-free than any internal clock in a consumer audio product. Components locked to the SC-1 process and output their digital signals with measurably lower jitter, which translates into improved soundstage focus and depth, tighter imaging of individual instruments, cleaner transient edges, and a lower overall noise floor in the analog output of the connected DAC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is an SC-cut OCXO and how does it differ from a standard AT-cut crystal?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn OCXO encloses a crystal oscillator in a thermally regulated oven that holds the crystal at a constant temperature, eliminating the frequency drift caused by ambient temperature changes. The crystal cut refers to the angle at which the quartz crystal is sliced, which determines its resonant frequency, temperature coefficient, and phase noise characteristics. An AT-cut crystal is simpler to manufacture and provides acceptable performance for most applications. An SC-cut crystal uses a more complex doubly-rotated cutting process that produces a crystal with a flatter frequency-versus-temperature response near the oven setpoint, superior phase noise at close-in frequency offsets (1Hz to 100Hz), and better long-term aging stability, making it the preferred choice for reference-grade timing applications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow many components can the SC-1 clock simultaneously?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SC-1 provides four independent 10MHz BNC outputs, each driven by its own dedicated buffer amplifier and 50-ohm driver. This allows up to four compatible digital audio components to be clocked simultaneously from a single SC-1. Compatible Matrix Audio components with 10MHz clock inputs include the NT-1 Digital Audio Transport, the ND-1 Audio DAC, the MS-1 and MS-1 PRE streamers, and the MS-1c streamer. Non-Matrix Audio DACs, streamers, and CD transports with a 10MHz external clock input are also compatible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere can I buy the Matrix Audio SC-1 in Buffalo, NY or the USA?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Matrix Audio SC-1 is available at Vinyl Sound, located in Buffalo, New York. Vinyl Sound is an authorized Matrix Audio dealer serving customers across Western New York and the United States, with expert guidance on compatible component matching, BNC cable selection, waveform type (sine or square) for specific components, and 1PPS calibration source options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the 1PPS input on the SC-1 used for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1PPS (one pulse per second) input on the Matrix Audio SC-1 accepts a reference signal from a GPS receiver or atomic clock source that generates exactly one electrical pulse per second, synchronized to an absolute time standard. When a 1PPS signal is connected, the SC-1's internal control circuit can discipline the OCXO's output frequency to match the long-term accuracy of the external reference, correcting any residual frequency error that accumulates due to aging of the SC-cut crystal over months and years of operation. This allows the SC-1 to maintain absolute frequency accuracy indefinitely rather than drifting slowly from its factory calibration figure over time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Matrix Audio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53293662404915,"sku":null,"price":5499.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0873\/0293\/0739\/files\/MatrixAudioSC-1AudioGradeReferenceClock.png?v=1777345569","url":"https:\/\/vinylsound.com\/products\/matrix-audio-sc-1-audio-grade-reference-clock","provider":"Vinyl Sound USA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}