Mutec MC-3+ USB

[octaviars]

I've read 6.0, 6.2 and 6.3V from different people. I've asked Paul Hynes to dial the rail of my SR7EHD-MR4 that will power the Mutec to 6.2V but will measure the output voltage on the internal SMPS before firing it up. That is if I finally decide to mod the Mutec, which of course will void it's warranty.

I have the same plan, use a Haynes PSU to power my Mutec and microRendu but I have not talked to him about what PSU to choose. I need 3 or perhaps 4 more rails to power my network equipment but it is not so easy to figure out what models he has.

[f1eng]

OK, those of you that know me know that I hate evaluating equipment but I had bought the Mutec based on theoretical considerations and had problems at first.
Yesterday I did some comparisons.
Firstly the unreliability was not a problem. It only lost lock once, and whilst it did not show up as a USB choice on my music iMac when plugged in a restart made it show up.
I preferred the USB > Mutec > AES/EBU to USB alone, using the same USB cable.
I preferred Air3 Beta via Ethernet to USB > Mutec > AES/EBU

[octaviars]

Mutec on the way from Thomann in Germany, 30 day trial period so if I dont feel like it is worth the money back it goes.

My system will be as follows.

microRendu -> Cabledyne Silver USB cable -> Mutec MC3+ USB -> Cabledyne Silver AES cable -> Devialet 400 AES input.

MicroRendu is powered with an iFi PSU and the Mutec is powered with it`s internal PSU, if this turns out well I will consider a better PSU for the both of them.

[Soniclife]

I preferred the USB > Mutec > AES/EBU to USB alone, using the same USB cable.
I preferred Air3 Beta via Ethernet to USB > Mutec > AES/EBU

How big or important would you describe these differences?

[f1eng]

I preferred the USB > Mutec > AES/EBU to USB alone, using the same USB cable.
I preferred Air3 Beta via Ethernet to USB > Mutec > AES/EBU

How big or important would you describe these differences?

Now there is a question!
I have heard people describe differences as "night-and-day" which seem quite modest to me.

I mainly use my system for listening to whatever bit of music I want to listen to next, and that means listening to records which differ enormously in recording quality. Sadly most of the demo SQ recordings floating about contain music I would not choose to listen to for pleasure.
At this level of hifi the differences in SQ due to things like this are much, much less than the difference between the recording quality differences between certain CDs and LPs.
I didn't have problems with AIR 2 and don't with AIR 3 so for me the question is moot for streaming, I prefer AIR to USB > Mutec > AES/EBU.
I would say that the improvement the Mutec makes over direct USB from a computer is well worthwhile.

I will try the Mutec with some other sources one of these days, I have 3 CD transports in here of different price levels, and a Sooloos Control 15. I don't have the inclination to test kit often though...

[Antoine]

Bit of delay on the new firmware update (which was scheduled for June initially).

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac...post558055

We're currently beta-testing the new firmware and the update process with several users. The feedback is very good so far and confirms our expectations with respect to the improvements in sound quality. It looks like the update will be ready for release in July and we can't wait to share it with you.

[Antoine]

Sharing another review of the MC-3+ USB:

https://andreweverard.com/2016/07/12/rev...tal-audio/

[Dr Tone]

So the reclocking is what gives the MC-3+ it's magic. But I'm thinking if it still can't reclock DOP after the firmware update the Hydra-Z would be just as good an option for me, maybe even better since it will run on USB bus power from my battery powered SOTM.

[Mollengijs]

I'm reading this very interesting thread but i'm really struggling to understand the use of this device. This all is a bit too technical for me. What i understand from it is that reclocking the signal from any digital source improves the SQ. Adding more Mutecs even improves SQ even further, right?

Right now I'm using a Naim NDX as renderer. So putting a Mutec MC-3+ in-between my NDX and D400 would be the way to go? I don't use USB so a Mutec MC-3+ would be sufficient? And all i need to add is a AES digital cable to connect to the D400?

I noticed that Guillaume also uses a reclocking switch in his system (Paul Pang Audio) would this beneficial in addition to a Mutec? Appreciate your expert opinions 

[Antoine]

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac...post564595

The V1.10 firmware update will be available for download on July 28th. No joke ;-)

Julian