montesquieu
04-03-2019, 00:19
When my upgraded AN DAC comes back in the near future it will feature a host of improvements including a tubed USB-SPDIF converter, a tubed SPDIF receiver/clock interface, and various changes on the internal digital side of things.
This makes my beloved Mutec MC3+ Smart Clock USB somewhat redundant.
What is it you might ask? Well it’s a gizmo from the professional recording/digital mastering world where a master clock is required to ensure synchronisation of the various digital components - some domestic audio gear can also accept a master clock signal. The original Mutec MC3+Smart Clock (much cheaper - though people have been confused into buying this and then disappointed) provides only this master clock function. The model I’m selling adds the capability of re-clocking all input signals to the internal master clock (making quite a major difference with many transports), and also adds a USB-SPDIF converter which uses the same hyper-accurate master clock. It’s also a swiss army knife of RCA, optical, BNC and AES/EBU inputs and outputs. The USB interface is high-performance and handles up to 32bit and DSD. The unit can be used to re-sample and output at other resolutions, again input and output master clock aligned.
Quite a lot online about this gizmo but the conclusion seems to be that it’s a major step forward - I’ve certainly found it a big benefit even though digital is only a small part of my listening.
I bought this on the advice of Hugo from Ammonite Audio (he just uses one, he doesn’t sell them) and I also took his advice to add a linear PSU. As there’s a small modification to be carried out, I asked Nick Gorham of Longdog Audio to do this for me, and he provided an MCRU 5V linear PSU as well as modified the unit to accept a external 5V power. The unit still works off proper mains on its original internal switching power supply if required (just insert a normal mains lead as usual, without the 5V supply plugged in), but the linear unit is a very handy upgrade.
The Mutec MC3+Smart Clock USB retails at 999 Euros or about £860 https://www.thomann.de/gb/mutec_mc_3_smart_clock_usb_silver.htm (don’t confuse this with the cheaper, less functional original model https://www.thomann.de/gb/mutec_mc_3_smart_clock.htm)
The MCRU unit retails at £336 https://mcru.co.uk/product/dual-regulated-linear-power-supply/?v=79cba1185463
Plus shipping, plus Nick’s work take what this owes me to well over £1250. I’m looking for £750 all up which has to be the digital bargain of the year.
Factory description here:
https://www.mutec-net.com/product_mc-3-plus-usb.php#description
Specs:
https://www.mutec-net.com/product_mc-3-plus-usb.php
https://i.imgur.com/AmI5m7G.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/QRxTs6a.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/IU0ez03.jpg
This makes my beloved Mutec MC3+ Smart Clock USB somewhat redundant.
What is it you might ask? Well it’s a gizmo from the professional recording/digital mastering world where a master clock is required to ensure synchronisation of the various digital components - some domestic audio gear can also accept a master clock signal. The original Mutec MC3+Smart Clock (much cheaper - though people have been confused into buying this and then disappointed) provides only this master clock function. The model I’m selling adds the capability of re-clocking all input signals to the internal master clock (making quite a major difference with many transports), and also adds a USB-SPDIF converter which uses the same hyper-accurate master clock. It’s also a swiss army knife of RCA, optical, BNC and AES/EBU inputs and outputs. The USB interface is high-performance and handles up to 32bit and DSD. The unit can be used to re-sample and output at other resolutions, again input and output master clock aligned.
Quite a lot online about this gizmo but the conclusion seems to be that it’s a major step forward - I’ve certainly found it a big benefit even though digital is only a small part of my listening.
I bought this on the advice of Hugo from Ammonite Audio (he just uses one, he doesn’t sell them) and I also took his advice to add a linear PSU. As there’s a small modification to be carried out, I asked Nick Gorham of Longdog Audio to do this for me, and he provided an MCRU 5V linear PSU as well as modified the unit to accept a external 5V power. The unit still works off proper mains on its original internal switching power supply if required (just insert a normal mains lead as usual, without the 5V supply plugged in), but the linear unit is a very handy upgrade.
The Mutec MC3+Smart Clock USB retails at 999 Euros or about £860 https://www.thomann.de/gb/mutec_mc_3_smart_clock_usb_silver.htm (don’t confuse this with the cheaper, less functional original model https://www.thomann.de/gb/mutec_mc_3_smart_clock.htm)
The MCRU unit retails at £336 https://mcru.co.uk/product/dual-regulated-linear-power-supply/?v=79cba1185463
Plus shipping, plus Nick’s work take what this owes me to well over £1250. I’m looking for £750 all up which has to be the digital bargain of the year.
Factory description here:
https://www.mutec-net.com/product_mc-3-plus-usb.php#description
Specs:
https://www.mutec-net.com/product_mc-3-plus-usb.php
https://i.imgur.com/AmI5m7G.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/QRxTs6a.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/IU0ez03.jpg