Mutec MC-3+ USB

[Harry.]

I installed the Mutec in my system on Monday. After being initially freaked out by the manual I found it fairly easy to operate by trial and error! I did get quite excited when I finally got some sound from it though. I have connected my Aurender, CD player and Sonos Connect so far with positive results. I really must read up on what "re clocking" actually does. The result however is a clearer sound with more definition and presence from all sources. Unfortunately it is not a beautiful item and those who purchased the Devialet for aesthetic reasons will be horrified. The definite improvement on sound quality is greater than I have achieved with any cable upgrade and must represent a high end bargain even with the lamentable exchange rate at the moment.

But hang on a minute, what part of this improvement is down to the use of the AES EBU input on the Devialet? I have connected the Mutec to this input, whereas the Aurender was previously connected to the USB input and the CD player to the coaxial digital. Frankly I'm not sure how to check this out.

I think there is still some investigating to be done. 

The dire exchange rate does take the shine off it somewhat, doesn't it?
I think that the USB input on the Devialet is probably the worst, but the coax input is on a par with the AES/EBU, I think. You say that your CD player was connected to the coax and that you have heard an improvement in SQ, which you can put down to the Mutec. The manual says you can switch the LEDs off by pressing both front panel buttons at the same time, so that it blends in a bit better. In fact you have to hold down the menu button, then press the select button.

Like you I have some Van den Hul interconnects and am using "The Second" cable as an AES EBU connector from Mutec to Devialet. This works well in my view although I am not sure if it is a true 110 ohm lead. I have compared this to a coax connection between the two components, using Van den Hul "The First" which I imagine is about as close the the second as you could get! I definitely prefer the AES but of course this could be due to difference in cable or difference in output connectors. Not a definitive test then but I am leaning towards the AES input on the Devialet as being the best. 

Bye the way, I quite like the lights on the Mutec! I will check out whether there is any sound improvement when they are switched off however.