Esoteric G-01 Initial Impressions

[Colekat]

Originally Posted by audible1

Congratulations!

I totally agree any of the K -01x sounds great but much much better with the rubidium clock. I never switch the clock off, it sounds even better after a few weeks on.

Beware the clock has a lifespan, Esoteric recommended shutting it off when not listening ! According to Esoteric it begins to loose accuracy fairly quick.

[Yardbird]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Ted,
Any idea how long the G-01 is designed to last? Do you completely shut it down or leave it in standby mode while still sync'd with the K-01x?

Dave

Dave, I turn my G-01 ( and K-01 ) off completely when not in use for more than say, 30 minutes, to preserve it. It only takes about 5 minutes to warm up, and judging from the original price of admission, and what I imagine a replacement clock unit would cost from Esoteric ( enough to ruin your day... ), I don't mind a little delayed gratification. I have also been told the life span of the clock, while significant, is not unlimited. In the case of the G-01, at this time, there are no upgrades, only replacements. I just choose to protect my investment... Ted.

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by Colekat

Beware the clock has a lifespan, Esoteric recommended shutting it off when not listening ! According to Esoteric it begins to loose accuracy fairly quick.

Originally Posted by Yardbird

Dave, I turn my G-01 ( and K-01 ) off completely when not in use for more than say, 30 minutes, to preserve it. It only takes about 5 minutes to warm up, and judging from the original price of admission, and what I imagine a replacement clock unit would cost from Esoteric ( enough to ruin your day... ), I don't mind a little delayed gratification. I have also been told the life span of the clock, while significant, is not unlimited. In the case of the G-01, at this time, there are no upgrades, only replacements. I just choose to protect my investment... Ted.

Tom & Ted,
Thanks for the info! 5 minutes isn't so bad

[audible1]

A Rb clock has a heater element in it and vapourises the Rb metal. Many Rb clock modules in satellites, GPS are designed for continual use - measured in years if not decades. There are a lot of reports of Efratom Rb modules lasting 20 years. I do not know what brand Esoteric uses, but a new Rb module alone shouldn't be more than $1,500. There are also reports that old Rb modules can be repaired.

If you put a power meter on your clock you will note it needs far more power for initial warmup. The Rb module will draw some 50W at startup. The warmed up state draws far far less current - around 9W or so. So it depends if you believe that your unit is worse off being on - like a light bulb on all the time, or whether you believe that the cycling from cold state to hot repeatedly each time you listen puts less strain on your Rb module. This would involve making the Rb metal go from solid to gaseous state many times, much like a halogen bulb - with risk of the Rb metal solidifying at the bottom of the bulb.

Anyway, for my sake, I leave my whole front end G-01 and K-01x on all the time. I do turn it off when I go on holiday if its a few weeks at a time. I can hear it is better. I figure if it ever burns out the module, that part can be replaced easily.

Would like Masterlu to comment on this - do you leave your G-01 clock on continuously?

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by audible1

A Rb clock has a heater element in it and vapourises the Rb metal. Many Rb clock modules in satellites, GPS are designed for continual use - measured in years if not decades. There are a lot of reports of Efratom Rb modules lasting 20 years. I do not know what brand Esoteric uses, but a new Rb module alone shouldn't be more than $1,500. There are also reports that old Rb modules can be repaired.

If you put a power meter on your clock you will note it needs far more power for initial warmup. The Rb module will draw some 50W at startup. The warmed up state draws far far less current - around 9W or so. So it depends if you believe that your unit is worse off being on - like a light bulb on all the time, or whether you believe that the cycling from cold state to hot repeatedly each time you listen puts less strain on your Rb module. This would involve making the Rb metal go from solid to gaseous state many times, much like a halogen bulb - with risk of the Rb metal solidifying at the bottom of the bulb.

Anyway, for my sake, I leave my whole front end G-01 and K-01x on all the time. I do turn it off when I go on holiday if its a few weeks at a time. I can hear it is better. I figure if it ever burns out the module, that part can be replaced easily.

Would like Masterlu to comment on this - do you leave your G-01 clock on continuously?

Great post! Thanks for the explanation.

[kb7215]

I discussed this topic with Stanford Research Systems (SRS) and they confirmed they supply their PRS10 Rubidium Crystal Oscillator to Esoteric who then use it the G-01 Master Clock Generator. SRS recommends the G-01 be left powered on when the unit is not in use which agrees with the Esoteric recommendation.

Ken

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by kb7215

I discussed this topic with Stanford Research Systems (SRS) and they confirmed they supply their PRS10 Rubidium Crystal Oscillator to Esoteric who then use it the G-01 Master Clock Generator. SRS recommends the G-01 be left powered on when the unit is not in use which agrees with the Esoteric recommendation.

Ken

Ken is correct... see my thread here:

http://www.audioaficionado.org/esote...-lifespan.html

[Yardbird]

Ivan, my information came from customer service, while yours appears to have come direct from the factory, so I'll go with yours! Thanks, Ted.