Marvey's DAC Chart of Awesomeness

Jolly good!

As soon as I have my RedNet 3 up and running I'll snag the Mutec MC-3+ USB. I've had one on loan, previously, but it's time, I'm sure, that I just add one to my collection of shiny boxes! And it'll be interesting to see how it's various outputs mate with Yggdrasil (etc.).

Thanks!

 

Yes, do experiment with the various digital connection between the mutec and Yggdrasil. You will discover differences between them.

I hav posted my results here:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...faces-mc-1-2-mc-3-smart-clock-usb.1772/page-6

I would highly recommend trying out the relatively cheap lifatec glass toslink. It's the most resolving sound I have gotten out of the various connections.

 

Big +1 to the Mutec MC3+USB to Yggdrasil AES or BNC. By now enough people have heard/own this setup that I think it's OK to call it a proven/established combo.

Given your quest Torq I think you will find with the Mutec in place the value proposition gets even worse for the other contenders. Of course they might also benefit from a better master clock/de-fuckifier but these things are implementation dependent and you won't know till you try...

 

My take is that those who have previously heard the mutec v1.01 + Yggdrasil dac combo really do have to re-audition the mutec mc3usb+Yggdrasil combo again with the new 1.03 firmware.

On my setup, I have notice quite abit of noticeable (subjective) changes with the new mutec firmware:

• Soundscape(depth and width) got a lot larger.
• Fuller sound with what seems to more attack to the leading edge of the transients.
• You can hear the lingering decay tail of the piano more clearly.
• Improve layering (3D-ness) to the music.
• Plankton details really shine out in the new jet-black background.

This is my full setup for reference:
Furman Elite PF15/16 Linear Power Conditioner > Seasonic 850W ATX PSU > Windows 10 custom build PC > Music Bee player with ASIO > Paul Pang PPA 2.0 USB Card(*Renesa driver 3.0.23.0) > Belkin Gold USB > Schiit Wyrd > USB right angle converter with USB male B adaptor plug > Mutec MC3+ USB > Lifatec Glass Toslink > Schiit Yggdrasil > XLR > Audio-gd Master 9 Preamp(high gain^) > XLR > Yamaha HS8.

*I pay special attention to the driver of the usb card. The Microsoft windows 10 USB EHCI driver does not sound as good as the OEM driver.
^ High Gain sounds better than Low Gain, especially when treble is concerned.

 

Lol, quickly, everyone buy back all their gear!!! The joys of digital.

 

Sorry guys, I have mixed up on versioning. I have mistakenly flash to the former 1.03 instead of the latest 1.10.

Mutec has not release the 1.03 firmware to the public before.

It seems that even the 1.03 sounds so much different from the factory stock 1.01 firmware that came with my mutec bought this year.

Now I have just flashed up to V1.10 and will report on the difference between V1.03 to V1.10 again.

 

I remember looking at that thread in its early stages and thinking you were crazy to embark on such an undertaking. No need to apologize for linking here. It's an amazing resource, especially now that it's getting fleshed out. Thanks for sharing your opinion of the Bryston.

 

1.03 contains a single fix to an issue that prevented further updates.

From the changelog:

But trust your ears. Changing the firmware code probably flopped bits (which aren't) or whatever.

 

V1.10 vs V1.03 on the Mutec MC3+USB:

• V1.10 seems to sound overall softer on the transients.
• It's more silkier/fluid sounding than v1.03, even more closer to analog like sound. It lacks the bite/kick that you get in v1.03. Plankton details is still the same as v1.03.
• Soundstage seems to be brought more closer in(depth wise). There's a sense of some loss in layering and 3dness vs v1.03.

I'm going to flash back to V1.03 as I find the former version's sound signature(increased depth) and better layering sounds better to me.

@SSL, I am also not sure what the heck is going on, but the V1.03 did change the sound signature of my mutec v1.01. I have to trust my ears on what I am hearing vs what Mutec has written in the changelog documentation. I guess it's up to other SBAF with the same Mutec+Yggdrasil to flash to the two newer firmware (1.03 and 1.10) and report their findings.

 

Fun with firmware! Time to tag impressions with firmware version #s or they're less than helpful!
(but seriously, hope it only improves the Mutecs' performance as the firmware matures)

I'm mostly glad the Schiit DACs don't have user-updateable (and frequent) firmware updates; can just imagine the havok that would wreak in impression threads...

 

@Madaboutaudio Well whatever it did I hope you like it; because there's no going back to the factory version.

 

@SSL

I think it's very damn wrong for myself to get overly fussed up about firmware version, especially where this is SBAF forum(high S/N) and not computeraudiophile where the guys over there get OCD over everything in their system like audiophile fuses, magical rocks and etc. At the end of the day, enjoying the music is utmost important in this hobby than fussing over firmware or dpc latency and etc. I shall stop reflashing different firmware for now.

Anyway, I have emailed to Mutec's CEO Mr. Christian Peters about the firmware sound differences I have experienced. I'll update you guys if he has any idea why this is happening.

 

Yes. It will route all audio through JRiver Media Center. You can also use their built in EQ or other DSP funtions as well as add your own via VSTs.

 

I've been a long-time proponent of the Lifatec cables! Glad I'm not the only one. They're excellent and extremely good value, especially compared to a lot of the nonsense optical cables offered in some quarters (we need gold plated connectors on an optical interconnect why?!).

I have, recently, switched to driving my Yggdrasil via an Auralic Aries and an AES/EBU XLR connection which actually improved the sound slightly over the previous Lifatec TOSLINK cable straight out of my Mac Pro. Looking forward to seeing how my new RedNet 3 fairs in comparison.

 

As soon as I get settled in with the RedNet 3 I'll be looking to snag the Mutec.

Finding one seems a bit tricky though ... only place I've found so far is MarkerTek ... any other suggestions on where to source one?

 

Unfortunately not. I'm in Canada and ordered mine from MarkerTek. Cost me nearly $1500CDN after exchange rate/taxes/shipping and the usual customs cost screwjob UPS does on Canadians.

 

@Torq, I suggest you should try emailing [email protected] to enquire on the best method to get the mutec from. I got a 10% discount as I got my mc3usb directly from mutec itself.(no distributor for my country)

 

Hey, I'm probably one to talk, but can we please bring this thread back to the thread topic. So, like, discussions about the DAC chart are good, DACs on the DAC chart, the position of various DACs on the DAC chart, really probably anything to do with DACs if there is some tie-in to the chart. kk thanks bye.

Oh, also relevant - talking someone into maintaining this chart. I nominate @Hands. or someone else.