Mutec MC-3+ USB

[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...