20-Jul-2016, 17:44
I received my Mutec last night. Set the thing up with the microRendu, and tried a few tracks. First impressions were positive, but to be honest I was not in the mood for critical listening. I will report in detail at the weekend.
I did have one problem though. The microRendu was connected to the Mutec for about one hour. Now I had read elsewhere that the microRendu can get hot connected to a Mutec, in particular with the iFi 9v supply. This is a case of the microRendu having voltage regulator for the USB power, which can run hot. OK, it was a very hot day in the UK yesterday, but when I checked the poor little mR it was staggeringly hot. Just about cool enough that you could touch it and keep your hand on it, but only just. Connected direct to the Devialet it was reasonably cool. This baffles me a bit! Why does the Mutec, which is mains powered, draw any significant current from the USB? Very strange. I suppose the obvious cure is to but a decent 7v power supply, which is on my 'to do' list, assuming I decide I'm happy with the sound of the Mutec / mR combo. I also wonder if you could use a USB cable without the 5v power line, or is this needed with the Mutec? In the short term I'll be looking for some makeshift cooling methods for the mR, I wonder if I have any old heat sink substitutes in my garage junk zone?
I did have one problem though. The microRendu was connected to the Mutec for about one hour. Now I had read elsewhere that the microRendu can get hot connected to a Mutec, in particular with the iFi 9v supply. This is a case of the microRendu having voltage regulator for the USB power, which can run hot. OK, it was a very hot day in the UK yesterday, but when I checked the poor little mR it was staggeringly hot. Just about cool enough that you could touch it and keep your hand on it, but only just. Connected direct to the Devialet it was reasonably cool. This baffles me a bit! Why does the Mutec, which is mains powered, draw any significant current from the USB? Very strange. I suppose the obvious cure is to but a decent 7v power supply, which is on my 'to do' list, assuming I decide I'm happy with the sound of the Mutec / mR combo. I also wonder if you could use a USB cable without the 5v power line, or is this needed with the Mutec? In the short term I'll be looking for some makeshift cooling methods for the mR, I wonder if I have any old heat sink substitutes in my garage junk zone?
1000 Pro - KEF Blade - iFi Zen Stream - Mutec REF10 - MC3+USB - Pro-Ject Signature 12
