Empirical Audio

Synchro-Mesh

Introduced 2012$600 MSRP

Empirical Audio is a small direct-order US boutique (run by Steve Nugent) that has developed proprietary digital-audio techniques for over two decades; the Synchro-Mesh is sold only via direct email/PayPal-invoice order rather than through retail distribution, a hallmark small-batch business model (Empirical Audio). It re-clocks or logically replaces a source's clock using asynchronous sample-rate conversion and a Crystek oscillator, and has been reviewed by 6moons, Dagogo, AudioScienceReview, and Ultra High-End Review, with 6moons noting an "unprecedented" measured jitter figure of about 7 picoseconds (6moons; Empirical Audio).

MSRP

$600

Used market · Good

$400

-33% vs MSRP

as of Sep 1, 2026

Sell or trade this Add to my system

MSRP to used market

From $600 at launch to $400 today.

Specifications

Clock: Latest-generation Crystek low-jitter oscillator
Inputs: Toslink, RCA S/PDIF, BNC S/PDIF (one of RCA/BNC usable at a time)
Options: OTL (transformerless S/PDIF output, ~10% lower jitter) and Dynamo linear PSU upgrade
Outputs: Toslink, RCA S/PDIF, BNC S/PDIF (one of RCA/BNC usable at a time)
Function: Re-clocks/replaces source clock via asynchronous sample-rate conversion (ASRC)
Included: Synchro-Mesh unit, 12VDC AC adapter
Bit depth: Selectable 16-bit or 24-bit via front-panel toggle
Guarantee: 30-day money-back guarantee, less shipping/fees
Measured jitter: Approx. 7 picoseconds when reclocking a Sonos Connect
Supported sources: Squeezebox, Sonos, CD transports, Apple TV, music servers, AirPort Express, Mac/PC with digital out, iPod/Wadia iTransport
Output sample rates: 44.1 kHz or 96 kHz, selected at time of order