11-Oct-2016, 10:37
In my experience, a comparison of AIR and the microRendu via USB was a little inconclusive. To summarise the mR appeared to be the one I wanted to listen to, but with the mR connected direct to the Devialet via USB, there was a loss of bass definition and accuracy. It is of course an oversimplification to state that this solely due to the Devialet's USB input, it could be related to many things, isolation, leakage loops or whatever. In my experience though, it was adding the Mutec MC3+USB that made the big difference. The combination of microRendu and Mutec MC3+USB is better than AIR in every respect, to my ears in my system of course. My Mutec is not for sale! So why does the Mutec make this difference? Is it's reclocking abilities? Is it just the fact that it provides full isolation of the USB input? I cannot be sure of the answers to these questions, but whatever the reasons, it sounds so good that I am sure something is working as it should.
It is also worth noting that I have listened to the Aurender N10 into a Devialet via both USB and AES/EBU. This takes out a lot of the variables, as the Aurender acts as the front end in both cases, and yes, it sounds best via AES/EBU.
It is also worth noting that I have listened to the Aurender N10 into a Devialet via both USB and AES/EBU. This takes out a lot of the variables, as the Aurender acts as the front end in both cases, and yes, it sounds best via AES/EBU.
1000 Pro - KEF Blade - iFi Zen Stream - Mutec REF10 - MC3+USB - Pro-Ject Signature 12
