Ideon Audio Absolute Time User manual
User Guide
Absolute Time
v.1
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© Ideon Audio, August 2020 – absolute time manual v.1
Due to continuous research, Ideon Audio reserves the right to change specications without notice.
The ultimate USB & SPDIF re-clocking platform
Absolute Time
THANK YOU!
And congratulations for purchasing the
Absolute Time, probably the foremost
digital signal reclocker / reviver currently
available for both USB and SPDIF inputs.
The Ideon Audio absolute Time improves
the digital signal quality to what is
currently an absolute level. The sonic
result is unparalleled clarity and detail in
reproduced sound.
The Absolute Time is the essential signal
reviver (re-clocks and reconstitutes) and
purier enabling the absolute Suite to reach
its superlative sonic performance.
The absolute Time incorporates separate
USB and coaxial (SPDIF) inputs and a high
current, 2.5A, USB output.
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Some of the features of our agship signal reviver follow:
• Separate, electrically stable USB and coaxial (SPDIF) inputs – a boon for CD
collectors for the enjoyment their music!
• Superlatively sized power bank, hand-made audiophile transformer;
• As with all Ideon devices, the power reservoir is carefully engineered: linear,
triple-stage, ultra-stabilized, with separate lines to different circuits.
• Low esr, audiophile (silk) capacitors throughout;
• Precise timing, phase, and clarity: ultra-low jitter femto clocks and ultra-low-noise
oscillators ensure phase correct restitution and vanishingly low jitter.
• Ultra-low noise power ensures that the outgoing signal is pristine!
• USB output: ultra-stabilized with signal boost, high power (2.5S / 5V rail), easily
drives any load;
• SPDIF output: proprietary ultra-low-noise, jitter-less re-clocking with 12.8MHz
master clock output;
The device’s additional and equally important function is disconnecting the noisy
5v bus power traveling down the USB cable; an additional ultra-low noise regulator
provides clean 5v BUS - for DACs that need it and can benet from this feature!
Features
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© Ideon Audio, August 2020 – absolute time manual v.1
Due to continuous research, Ideon Audio reserves the right to change specications without notice.
The ultimate USB & SPDIF re-clocking platform
Absolute Time
On the rear panel as shown above,
you will also nd the device On/Off
switch and the IEC power socket. Please
complete all signal connections before
attaching the power cord and switching
the device on for the rst time.
Please connect your USB sources via the
“USB in” socket; the “USB out” connects
to your DAC.
For SPDIF sources (CD transport, cd-
player digital out, etc), please use the
SPDIF input using appropriate coaxial
cable.
*MASTER CLOCK CONNECTION: attention,
only applies to sources (CD transport, cd-
player) offering a Master Clock input!
In additional to the SPDIF “in” and
“out” connections, please connect the
“Master OUT” on the back panel to your
source device’s “MASTER In”. The result
will be signicantly improved transport
jitter—hence an incomparably better
sonic result.
You will also nd a 5v on switch as in the
illustration above. With this switch set to
the on position, the 5v power rail is on –
to the USB cable (power goes through
the USB cable).
When set to off position, the 5v power
rail is cut off from the USB cable resulting
in better, cleaner data transmission. This
switch is included as some DACs do not
provide power to the USB cable. This
feature also helps you experiment with
various cables if you so desire.
Back panel
absolute time reference reclocker
out
out in clock 12MHz
handcrafted in
Athens, Greece
s/pdif
5V
on
in
to DAC from source S/PDIF out/in
5v on Master clock
Connecting Absolute Time
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If not necessary, we recommend you switch this power rail off.
On the front panel of the device as shown in the illustration below there is a round
power switch and two (2) indicator lights:
• the power switch lights up when the device is on
• the USB lock light shows the Absolute Time has locked with the USB source
• the SPDIF switches to green when the device has locked with the CD source; it is
red when there is error, i.e. unrecognized or no signal
On/Off button S/PDIF lock USB lock
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© Ideon Audio, August 2020 – absolute time manual v.1
Due to continuous research, Ideon Audio reserves the right to change specications without notice.
The ultimate USB & SPDIF re-clocking platform
Absolute Time
Safety Instructions
• WARNING. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
DEVICE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
• Clean only with a dry cloth. Do not place ammable material on or underneath this
device.
• Do not remove or bypass the ground pin on the end of the AC cord unless necessary
to reduce hum from ground loops of connected equipment. Disconnecting the ground
may cause RFI (radio frequency interference) to be induced into your playback setup.
Removing or bypassing the ground pin on any electrical component is potentially
dangerous and should be avoided for safety reasons.
• Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus. Unplug this
apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
Servicing
THERE ARE NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE ANY IDEON AUDIO PRODUCT. PLEASE REFER ALL
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
Please contact your authorized dealer, distributor, or Ideon Audio if you have any questions not
addressed in this reference document.
Warranty
Ideon Audio provides a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty on all new Ideon Audio
components.
The Ideon Audio seven (7) year and extended Lifetime Limited Warranty
You can extend the standard 2-year manufacturer’s warranty into a 7-year warranty by
registering your product with us. To do that, you need to send us your Name, Address, tel.,
email and the proof of purchase in the form of a bill of sale, invoice (or copy thereof) from
the Ideon Audio dealer or Distributor. For further detail please contact your dealer or refer to
Ideon Audio’s ofcial site.
Furthermore, Ideon Audio also offers a Lifetime product warranty that can be purchased at
17,5% of the retail price for any of our products. Please coordinate with your dealer of local
distributor for that.
The Ideon Audio limited warranty covers defects in the materials and workmanship in this
product. Under the terms of this warranty we will repair the product free of charge (parts and
labour) — or replace it where we deem that repair is not possible — for malfunction due to
inherent defects in the materials or construction.
Ideon Audio has authorized distribution in many countries of the world. Warranty service
should be obtained directly from the importing retailer or distributor from whom you
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purchased the product. In the unlikely event of service required beyond the capabilities of
the importer, Ideon Audio undertakes to fulll the conditions of the warranty.
In case of malfunction please contact your dealer to arrange for service. If you have
purchased the product directly from Ideon Audio, please contact us directly at info@
ideonaudio.com, quoting subject: fault and a short description of the issue.
Please note that the product must be returned using original packaging only and
accompanied by a written description of the issue, defect, or malfunction.
*Products covered by the extended, lifetime warranty.
• This specially extended warranty covers the lifetime
of the product model.
• This warranty is transferable under condition that
each new owner informs Ideon Audio importers,
dealers, or Ideon Audio directly the device model,
number, previous owner name & new owner name &
address.
• In cases of obsolescence of materials or superseded
technology, the product will be repaired using
currently available materials and technology of
equivalent performance characteristics, or better.
• “Future proof”: if Ideon Audio releases upgrades
to, or improved versions of, the purchased product,
these are made available to subscribers at cost of
parts and materials only. Shipping to the service
location is borne by the owner, Ideon Audio or its
distributors / dealers pay for return shipping.
*This warranty is voided in cases of
• Damage and /or malfunction caused by tampering
or modications to the product’s original state,
attempts to x, or other alterations to the product
by persons other than factory authorized service
personnel.
• Damage and /or malfunction caused by improper
use, abuse, or improper operation of the product.
• Failure to comply fully with Ideon Audio operating
instructions.
• Damage to cables or attachments and cosmetic
damage induced by use.
• Products obtained outside the network of authorized
Ideon Audio dealers and resellers.
General Warranty Terms.
This Warranty is subject to the following conditions and limitations: The Warranty is void and
inapplicable if the product has been used or handled other than in accordance with the
instructions in this document, abused, or misused, damaged by accident or neglect or in
being transported, or the defect is due to the product being repaired or tampered with by
anyone other than Ideon Audio or an authorized Ideon Audio repair center.
• The product must be packaged and returned to
Ideon Audio or an authorized Ideon Audio repair
center by the customer at his or her sole expense in
the original packing material. Ideon Audio will pay
return freight of its choice for original purchasers.
• Returned product must be accompanied by a
written description of the issue or the defect. Ideon
Audio reserves the right to modify the design of
its products without obligation to purchasers of
previously manufactured products and to change
the price or specications of any product without
notice or obligation to any person.
• In the event the product fails to meet this Warranty
and the above conditions have been met, the
purchaser’s sole remedy under this Limited Warranty
shall be to return the product to Ideon Audio or an
authorized Ideon Audio repair center where the
defect will be repaired without charge for parts or
labor.
• This warranty does not cover the cost of custom
installation, customer instruction and setup
adjustments.
• This warranty does not cover cosmetic damage
or any damage due to accident, misuse, abuse,
negligence or modication of, or to any part of the
Product, without initial express consent from Ideon
Audio. This warranty does not cover damage due
to improper operation or maintenance, connection
to improper voltage supply, or attempted repair by
anyone other than a facility authorized by Ideon
Audio to service the Product.
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