Crystals in HiFi equipment

Does any one have any suggestion as to how you can improving their performance ?......[thats a question mark in case anyones in any doubt ;-]

Mine are currently sat in a tar like gunk and was wondering if anyone had any better alternatives .... I've seen sand used but thats messy, unless you can hold it in position.


















Before anyone burst a blood vessel again ! I am of course refering to the little silver can jobbies

 

Have you considered potting them in Epoxy or Varnish? Works for crossovers and transformers. Might work for the crystals as well.
Why even bother though. What improvement are you looking to accomplish? Resonance maybe? Shed some light on your possible goals.


rollo

 

To be honest - just don't do anything, it's better to let the things move as compliantly as possible. There's lots of info over on www.wenzel.com about the mechanical susceptibilities of crystal scillators, and rigidly mounting things (that includes 'damping them' in an unmeasured/uncntrolled way) makes things worse.

But this is not the primary sensistivity of these devices anyway. Whenever possible pay attention to the PSU feed to the oscillator if you want best performance - far better ROI because it directly impacts phase noise (exhibited as jitter). In particular, reducing LF noise on the supply is key. Lots of data on Wenzel.com on this, too...

 

Off for a quick reed on wenzel

What about Silicone Zanash, just a thought, could be a bit messy I guess, but sort of squidgy when set....

 

Martin is being very modest in not mentioning one of the best solutions available from his very own hand - the PFM Flea.
Does the job perfectly.

 

It appears Felix is a class act. Helpfull, right to the point
and no digs. How refreshing.


rollo

 

yes the fleas great ......but I was not wanting to reclock as such or go to such great expence.

I thought of a small sleeve and as mr cat says fill with silicon ....

I opened an old AA5 and arcam used a rubber gromit slipped over the top.

May try some small o rigs I've got .....

 

If you dont re clock you can still take the best ideas from the flea and use it to power the Arcam crystal. Very cheap to do. Basically you would be just providing high quality regulation for the crystal.

Oh, and I have learned something, never knew Martin was a horn dog :MILD:

 

cheers ......yes

Its not the arcam ....but your point is well made !

 

There was talk of another flea run. Perhaps Martin could advise on any progress.

On a related point, are clock crystals sensitive to RF fields?
I ask as my CD player has the clock components under a copper screening can and I wonder if thats to keep *muck in or out.


* Or to satisfy the marketing dept who know that when the product is reviewed the internal shots look good in a glossy mag.

 

I think its more to keep noise in, Rob - all commercial oscillators come in little cans after all. But a nice big coppery one carefully labelled 'great clock here' certainly looks serious in the mags

Another flea run - yes, must do. I've been promising it all year(!)

 

errrmmm whats a flea run.....please

Arha Pete I have some dinky 0 rings too, not having an inkling what the crystals are in, or look like, is it the sort of thing that someone with not a clue could have a go at - ie. anything round looking on a cct board gets an o-ring or two put on it?