(27-Jun-2017, 16:59)zdenes Wrote: I have feeling that of the above no.1 will sound the best. I don't think anybody has tried these, so you'll be the first one, please report back.
Why don't you try roon - sms200 - tx-USBulra - mutec - devialet?
Kwan - I would tend to agree with zdenes above. There has been quite a lot posted on this forum regarding the differences between sound quality via the Devialet's AES/EBU input versus USB. So if you make the assumption that AES/EBU input is preferred, then having a Mutec MC3+USB in the chain will most likely perform better than tx-USButlra. That said, I have read some very positive reports of the tx-USBultra over on Computer Audiophile, so maybe it just might work very well. Who knows, as zdenes mentions, you might actually be the first to try this with a Devialet. Another interesting option might be Uptone Audio's IsoRegen. The IsoRegen interests me because I suspect that some of the perceived deficit between the Devialet's USB and AES/EBU input may relate to isolation issues / ground loop type issues with the Devialet's USB input. But the same problem! I am not aware of anyone who has tried an IsoRegen with a Devialet either.
You can of course try the AES/EBU versus USB comparison yourself, this might give you some insight as to what the Mutec and AES offers regarding sound quality.
So the safe bet is the Mutec MC3+USB, because quite a few folk have tried one and reported good results. (to varying degrees) The rest is speculation, but who knows, there might be a giant killing brilliant solution out there waiting to be discovered. Who's going to go first?
1000 Pro - KEF Blade - iFi Zen Stream - Mutec REF10 - MC3+USB - Pro-Ject Signature 12