Mutec USB Interfaces: MC-1.2 & MC-3+ Smart Clock USB

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Luckbad, Apr 1, 2016.

  1. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    JUst a thought, I am certainly no expert on this subject, but if one gets a really good DAC, for example a Gungnir or Yggdrasil, don't they already have pretty good Clocks in them? Like The Yggdrasil anf Gungnir have the Adapticlock System which Schiit states for the Yggdrasil - "Yggdrasil accepts up to 5 digital inputs and carefully manages them with our Adapticlock™ clock regeneration system. Adapticlock is the most sophisticated clock management system in the world. It assesses the quality of all inputs, measures their incoming center frequency and jitter, and automatically routes the input to the best clock regeneration system" and for the Gungnir - "Both versions of Gungnir include our proprietary Adapticlock system, which provides for both exceptional jitter performance and rock-solid, glitch-free connectivity. Adapticlock analyzes the incoming signal quality and automatically routes it to the best clock regeneration system—either VCXO or VCO-based. And, it does all of this without altering the bit depth or sample rate of your original music."

    So is there really that much of a difference if you have a high-end DAC to get something like a Mutec or similar? Does it make a real difference in Clock Management? Again I am no expert on this subject, that is why I am asking someone who knows more about this than I.
     
  2. johnjen

    johnjen Doesn’t want to be here but keeps posting anyways

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    My 2¢.
    For me in my system implementing the Dante network and RN3 was the single biggest step up.
    The Mutecs did help but did not contribute as much as the Dante/RN3.

    The SQ changes from the Mutecs are subtle unless you already have a highly resolving system to begin with, and are wanting to explore just how far this change from USB to AOIP can scale.

    And all these changes were elevated in magnitude with the substitution of the stock SMPS with LPS units.
    This change to better power supplies while a PIA, and which can add yet another 'box with wires', was significant and for me in my system made the Mutecs a 'keeper'.

    And yeah these Mutec boxes are expensive with features I'll never need or use but the SQ improvements are worth the effort after getting them all dialed in. And the scaling factor is, at least for me, a good sign that they are able to contribute and not act as a CP (Choke Point) in and of themselves.

    But really this level of throwing $$$$ at improvements is not for everyone, because as I see it we are exploring the edges of the envelope and only those who simply must find out what is possible need to travel this road.

    And the Mutecs aren't THE magic bullet, mostly because the rest of the system needs to be 'up to par' to begin with, before this level of tweak is going to 'pay off' so to speak.

    JJ
     
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Haven't done a direct to direct, but can offer the following: the Mutec (using USB) sounded different depending upon firmware and how it is used. Mutec on one iteration sounded warm and syrupy. On another sounded more precise focused and coarse. Seemed too much to pay for a sound alterer. AES from appliances such as the Aries and CD transports do sound slightly different from each other, but there is usually a commonality of more fluidity, greater resolution, blacker backgrounds.
     
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2017
  4. landroni

    landroni Friend

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  5. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    I used a breeze du u8 for a few years
    I can say that the Mutec mc3+usb makes my ec designs mosaic t sounds like a new dac. better imaging, better sense of control and stability in the mids, tighter bass. the breeze seemed to get congested when too much was going on, with the mutec the separation stays intact.
     

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