First observation: this little box from Oehlbach is 50 euro (plus 7 for p&p) very well spent.
Second observation: SWITCHING POWER SUPPLIES DO NOT LIKE THE BMU.
Starting off with the well-known 'Slinger configuration' (Tinkerboard -> Wyrd -> Masterclock -> DAC) the sound was interesting but I found it to be a bit anaemic, brittle and with a narrower soundstage than the Wyrd alone. Switching back to just the Wyrd confirmed that.
Cabling used here is Inakustik Excellence from the Tinkerboard, the supplied 15cm Oehlbach link between the 2 regenerators and the AQ Carbon into the DAC.
Feeling a bit let down by the Oehlbach, I swapped things around with that then running before the Wyrd. This was better. It felt like the Schiit unit was happy with the cleaner data stream and was sounding really rich and full. Taking the Oehlbach out of the link actually tightened up the detail a bit.
Starting to wonder if there was something wrong with the XXL Masterclock (or was it a bit of cheap rubbish?). Then I remembered a battle I had had with the Schiit units and their wall-wart power supplies being really unhappy when plugged into the BMU. Shifting the plug of the Masterclock into a non-BMU supply I tried it again.
Things changed .... A lot.
The Oehlbach sprang into life, providing a level of detailed authority which is a definite step above the performance of the Schiit Wyrd (in itself, still a lovely music-maker). Imaging is sharper. Bass deep and well-defined. Bucket loads of fine detail. Musicality to the max.
Putting the Wyrd into the loop ahead of the XXL now slightly degraded the sound, making it warmer but less focussed. This might be down to the quality of the short interlink - I'll be trying things out another time.
So the Wyrd is off. The Oehlbach XXL Masterclock is in place between TB & the Chameleon and I am enjoying some superb sounds.
Con's: bloody bright blue LED on the front of the thing.
Pro's: sounds absolutely amazing for silly money.
Bottom line: get one.
