Matrix Audio SC-1 Reference Clock: Elevating Digital Audio Performance
By HiFi Editorial24 February 2026
Key Highlights
SC-1 operates at a stable 10MHz frequency, reducing jitter for enhanced digital audio performance.
Features an OCXO with SC-Cut Quartz crystal, achieving exceptional frequency accuracy and stability.
Includes four 10MHz clock outputs to synchronize multiple devices with high precision.
Matrix Audio has introduced the SC-1 Audio Grade Reference Clock, a high-precision external clock generator designed to elevate the performance of digital audio systems. Operating at a stable 10MHz frequency, the SC-1 is engineered to work seamlessly with the Matrix Audio SS-1 Pro Network Switch, NT-1 Digital Streaming Transport, and MS-1 Audio Streamer, among other compatible devices. This addition underscores Matrix Audio's commitment to mitigating one of the most critical challenges in digital audio: jitter reduction.
At the heart of the SC-1 is an Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) featuring a specialized SC-Cut Quartz crystal. This design ensures exceptional frequency accuracy and stability by maintaining the crystal in a temperature-controlled environment. The result is a phase noise level of less than -118 dBc @1Hz, which significantly minimizes timing errors that can degrade audio quality during digital-to-analog conversion. By providing a clean and precise timing reference, the SC-1 enhances the overall clarity and fidelity of the audio signal.
