What Is Jitter in Digital Audio, and Does It Matter?

Jitter is a timing error in digital audio when samples are read slightly too early or too late. The data isn’t wrong, but the timing is inconsistent. This can introduce subtle distortion, loss of clarity, or harshness, especially in high-end systems.

Why It Happens

Jitter usually comes from:

• Clock errors inside a DAC
• Signal transmission issues (like USB or S/PDIF timing inconsistencies)

Modern DACs use asynchronous transfer, reclocking, and buffering to correct it. In well-designed gear, jitter is typically inaudible.

Does It Matter?

In most modern systems, jitter is well-controlled and effectively inaudible. However, in more revealing setups, or when using low-quality digital connections, jitter can sometimes:

• Blur imaging
• Add treble glare
• Flatten soundstage depth

If you're using older equipment, check whether the DAC was designed with jitter reduction in mind. Some older models may lack proper reclocking or asynchronous transfer.