Melco N1Z vs Aurender N10 vs CAD CAT

[Womaz]

Why has music playback become so so complicated?......and does this put Joe Public off getting a better system. I think it could.

[Antoine]

I don't think this is all true. The Mutec 1.2 and the MC-3+ USB use the XMOS chipset just like our Devialets do. The XMOS line are the most used USB chipsets out there. Drivers are only required for operating systems that don't natively support USB audio 2.0, like Windows. Mac or Linux based devices also don't require a driver.

If the device works with your Devialet USB port I'm sure it'll also perfectly work with the Mutec.

[Gentleman]

Hello Antoine.

Very good point.

I have made some bad experience with simplified LINUX based systems, Windows embeded, WHS (HFX for example), Android, iOS, etc.

So in fact we need to do some more research or tests if the USB-MUTECs will work with MELCO, AURENDER, etc.

Besides, please note that the MUTECS for sure need the 5 Volts power from the USB output to work!

In Dubio Pro Audio

Jan

[Antoine]

Again I don't agree. If it would be a problem most of the USB DAC's out there wouldn't work. Power is a standard requirement in the USB specs so this shouldn't be an issue as well. Also there's plenty of USB powered DAC's, the Mutec's aren't really that different.

[Confused]

If someone going to OAC's streamer day has a Mutec MC-3 +USB, then we could simply try it? (A bit of a long shot I guess)

[nicoludio]

It is clearly stated in the Mutec MC3+ USB manual (see page 13) that USB drivers are only required for Windows.

None are required for Mac OS.

http://mutec-net.com/downloads/manuals/M...screen.pdf

[f1eng]

If someone going to OAC's streamer day has a Mutec MC-3 +USB, then we could simply try it?  (A bit of a long shot I guess)

I may go, and if I do I can bring my Mutec along. I only have very modest cables though
I am not using it at the moment.

[Confused]

If someone going to OAC's streamer day has a Mutec MC-3 +USB, then we could simply try it?  (A bit of a long shot I guess)

I may go, and if I do I can bring my Mutec along. I only have very modest cables though
I am not using it at the moment.

If your cable is good enough to run a printer, it's good enough for me Frank!

[Gentleman]

Again I don't agree. If it would be a problem most of the USB DAC's out there wouldn't work. Power is a standard requirement in the USB specs so this shouldn't be an issue as well. Also there's plenty of USB powered DAC's, the Mutec's aren't really that different.

Here I disagree, Antoine.

As many of us have experienced the Devialets do NOT need the 5 Volts power from the source to use the USB input. Moreover it is a known fact that the power supply inside an USB cable can degrade the SQ. Because of that some people have modified their USB cables for the use with a Devialet to improve the SQ. Additionally some reference grade USB cables (such as the fabulous JCAT Ref. USB) come with two cables (one for the signal only, the second to provide the power (which must not be connected to a Devialet)).

Furthermore some dedicated high end USB add-on cards come with jumpers to switch off the power supply of the USB output for better SQ.

I didn't mean with my hint that the MUTECs are special but I thought it is worth a reminder to those who use an USB connection without the 5 Volts with their Devialets. In fact this caused us some serious headache the first time we tried to install the MUTEC MC-1.2 between our source and the Devialet while still using a JCAT USB card with disabled 5 Volts....

In Dubio Pro Audio

Jan

[PhilP]

If someone going to OAC's streamer day has a Mutec MC-3 +USB, then we could simply try it?  (A bit of a long shot I guess)

I may go, and if I do I can bring my Mutec along. I only have very modest cables though
I am not using it at the moment.

If your cable is good enough to run a printer, it's good enough for me Frank!

I compared a Canon USB printer cable to a Chord Sarum TA USB cable last year and the latter was much better. I was very surprised as I'm definitely a cable sceptic.