Mutec MC-3+ USB

[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?

The Mutec MC-3+ USB is a USB -> S/PDIF or AES3 converter. They employ galvanic isolation of the USB input to isolate the DAC from the noise of the USB source. They also 'agressively' re-clock the signal using a high quality clock to reduce jitter and output a high quality stream to the DAC.

The texts on the Mutec site do a better job at explaining the technologies used: http://mutec-net.com/product_mc-3-plus-usb.php I've also linked to some reviews in this topic which explain it's function.

There indeed have been reports that stacking multiple Mutecs improve things further.

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?

It would surely improve it's output. If it's worth it can only be judged by you yourself. The Mutec MC-3+ USB is as effective as three stacked non-USB versions so it would consider the USB version even if you're not using it's USB in-/output.

And yes, all you need in addition would be a cable to connect the Mutec to the Devialet. AES/EBU is considered best for/on the Devialet by many.

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 

The "re-clocking" done in the ethernet switch is done at an entirely different level (ethernet data stream) and can't be compared to what a Mutec does. I don't even think it's real re-clocking but rather using a higher quality clock used by the digital circuits inside the switch. The Mutec is last in the chain connecting to the DAC. It can be compared to Guillaume's TotalDAC which also does re-clocking between the USB input and TotalDAC output to the DAC.

Some people have reported some improvements while doing re-clocking in the digital data streams of USB or ethernet so it could help a bit. There's even people who replace the motherboard clock with higher quality clocks (again a Paul Pang developped such a product) but this is a 'hardcore hobbyist' tweak. Personally I'm not a fan of the "home brewn" DIY level quality Paul Pang products, but that's just me. The goal of the people who employ these tweaks is to serve the DAC a signal from a computer with the lowest noise and the least jitter, many things can contribute here. Purpose built source hardware is more effective and easier, there's a lot of trial and error involved in tweaking a computer and it requires a lot of knowledge.

You can be very sure that a Mutec on it's own is way more effective than all USB/ethernet/motherboard clock tweaks combined. Though unfortunately the source in front of it still matters, so it's not impervious to any residual noise/jitter it's fed. This also explains why multiple Mutecs stacked help to improve things further.

Thanks Antoine for taking the time and explaining this further to me. In order for the Mutec 3+ USB to work i have to reterminate my custom Bnc to RCA AQ Diamond cable, buy the Mutec and another AES cable. Quite an investment i'm afraid (roughly € 2k) when i won't be able to get a home trial beforehand... My dealer, who i talked to last week, also said that adding a reclocking device would help SQ but that there were some downsides as well. Delay in playback when the device has to to switch between 44 and 48k signals, was what he mentioned among them. Whats your experience? My dealer also suggested (and really sorry to stray away from main topic) that is should first pursue other options to improve my set (Stillpoints for speaker and components and better power filter). So maybe i should home-demo some of these products first. Tough choices wish i had a bigger budget