Thought I would start a thread on Mutec
I purchased a Mutec MC-1.2 and am extremely satisfied.. for those looking for jitter reduction, hooking anything up to anything and allow for digital switching between devices and or a computer, this is a fabulous unit. BTW, the Mutec is NOT a DAC.
https://www.mutec-net.com/usbinterfaces.phpWhat I like:
1) Reduces jitter between my computer and CD / processor digital inputs, nice smooth sound now
2) Many different in and outs including USB
3) The digital signal is always present at all OUTs ... this allows for instant switching at my integrated amp to A/B/C DACs and players
4) Claims it "passes all" sampling/bit rates
5) Mutec driver is stable and can be selected by your player, Foobar in my case, and passes bit-for-bit.
I play most of my music through my desk computer in my home office and always had a control and component selection issue. My system:
- Huge Netgear Ready NAS network attached storage (4 RAIDed drives) ether attached to my router where I keep my large library of bit-for-bit CDs
- Windows 10 PC using Foobar 2000 player - Mutec driver selected in Foobar kernel streams bit for bit and bypasses Windows sound processing kernal out the USB bus
- Computer to Mutec MC-1.2 via USB
- Mutec to Accuphase CD/Processor via coax (Accuphase does not re-clock the digital in signal and has no USB hence the need for the Mutec)
- Mutec to Benchmark DAC1 via XLR cable
- Mutec to Audio Alchemy DDE V3 DAC via Toslink optical
- Accuphase/Benchmark/Audio Alchemy to PrimaLuna HP Integrated Amp
- PrimaLuna HP Integraged to FOCAL 1028 Be speakers
If you want to know hows and whys I did what I did, just ask a question. My primary digital converter is the Accuphase as I feel it sounds the most musical and spacious. The reason I have the other DACs has to do with history and I don’t plan on keeping them..... but it is fun to A/B/C them simply by selecting the input on my PrimaLuna integrated amp. The Mutec presents a live digital signal to all of its outputs all the time so all DACs are decoding all the time. Since the Accuphase has only Toslink optical and 75 Ohm RCA in, I chose the 75 Ohm input. The others were connected with whatever worked as I had many options but I really didn’t care... I just used what worked.
I love this system now. My source is either my digital library, the CD tray in the Accuphase, or whatever source I choose in my web browser. I am considering Tidal high rez streaming but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
When you use the Mutec or Benchmark drivers from Foobar, it does not pass the computer beeps and farts.... it can’t if you want bit-for-bit passthrough. For the beeps and farts, I have cheapo powered speakers on my desk connected to the stereo audio jack on my computer’s soundcard.... this allows me to listen to high quality source on the big rig but still hear the beeps and farts. If I don’t fire up Foobar, all music sources are automatically routed out to the cheapo desk speakers.
In short, if you want to "split" digital signals to other devices, drive out jitter between devices such as a computer or CD transport and other DACs, you can’t beet this Mutec. By the way, I paid $190 for this Mutec (a current model) on eBay, new it is about $479.
Hope this helps some folks trying to improve sound or thinking about re-architecting their digital rigs.
Peace
Bruce in Philly
