Mercenary Audio - Apogee Big Ben 192k Master Digital Clock

The Apogee Big Ben is a master clock that takes external clocking to an entirely new level. Utilizing the C777, the same clock you find in the AD-16x and DA-16x, the Big Ben provides an ultra stable clock that reduces jitter, improving the sonic quality of gear relying on the Big Ben’s clock. To ensure the Big Ben can be used in a plethora of situations there is a variety of clock connections. The Big Ben offers 1 work clock input and 6 word clock outputs, via BNC connecters, plus AES, SPDIF co-axle and optical, and an X-series card slot for future I/O options. This gives the Big Ben the flexibility to work in virtually any setup, including as the master clock or as a clock distributor.

apogee big ben features

At the heart of any word clock regeneration is a phase lock loop (PLL). Currently, and most commonly in audio applications, the PLL is a combination of analog and digital elements without the ability to dynamically adapt to the nature of the external clocks. That's where Apogee's new C777 clock comes in. The C777 utilizes an entirely digital process, that Apogee has developed using the most advanced Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) technology available along with DSP based digital filtering. The result? The most aggressive jitter reduction ever. With a stable, crystal based digital PLL ticking away as its heart, Big Ben is able to intelligently manipulate incoming signals and adapt to them accordingly.

Added Flexibility with Format Conversion
Not that you would expect it from a master clock, Big Ben gives you the option of real-time format conversion. Use Big Ben's intuitive digital display to go from S/PDIF to AES, AES to ADAT, ADAT to S/PDIF, etc.

Firewire for the Future
With an eye toward future connectivity standards, Big Ben has room to grow with a Firewire card option that will provide clocking and format conversion functionality to Firewire equipped devices. (It uses the X-Series X-Firewire card)

Intelligent Clocking with Apogee's "Adaptive Loop Filtering" (ALF)
"ALF" maximizes Big Ben's clocking ability with an intelligent low pass filter. Because the C777 has made all incoming signals into data (1's and 0's) Big Ben is able to dynamically compensate for excessive jitter and even improve already acceptable clock signals to levels unattainable until now. No matter what your input looks like, ALF can adapt and overcome all obstacles to create a stable, reliable, low jitter clock source.

SureLock
Big Ben is masterfully handling external clock signals and all of their anomalies and you've got your jitters under control. What if Big Ben encounters the ultimate disturbance in clocking, a dropped signal? Not to worry, with "SureLock" Big Ben will compensate by remaining locked on the last relevant frequency sent by the delinquent device. When the signal resumes, Big Ben will gradually and smoothly re-synchronize without interruption.

Termination
Very often in an elaborate audio chain word clock signals are improperly terminated. Big Ben will chime in with a visual indication of over or under termination on its digital display for each word clock output, allowing you to troubleshoot more quickly and get back to business.

MANUALS & PDFs

Apogee Big Ben Product Info Adobe pdf file

Apobee Big Ben Manual Adobe pdf

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