How are you connecting because the Mutec only has a single AES output and the speakers need dual AES inputs. Do you connect the second stereo channel via ethernet cable?
Denafrips and Audio GD make similar units to the Mutec.
New AES3/USB interface?
Hey all, I’m looking for a new way to interface my PMC TwoTwo 5 system with my MacStudio. I’ve currently got a Mutec MC-3 +USB unit connecting via AES3 (digital) but I’m having an issue where my PMC units will reset every so often during audio playback. I’ve had both PMC monitors and the sub replaced and I’ve since upgraded from an iMac Pro to the MacStudio — and still seeing this odd behavior. The only thing I can think to try is a different way to interface the PMC system with my computer.
My PMC studio monitors are active with on board DACs
Does anyone know of anything else out there that delivers the same (or better) options as the Mutec? At a minimum, it needs to have AES3, USB and DSD support.
Any help is appreciated
yah, USB from Mac to Mutec is how I've got it. The reset is strange. It'll start with one monitor then move to another, then the last. With each one appearing to power down and back on. Like I said, these PMC units have been replaced twice over. And oddly enough, sometimes this occurs when I'm not playing audio but monitors are powered on and still connected to the Mutec -- but is mostly noticeable when music is playing, typically mid song. So to answer your question, I never notice it when sample rates change. |
This is kind of where I was going when I suggested sample rate change- perhaps I should have worded it as losing synch or not being locked. I wonder if you have something going on where the clocks are losing synch? You mentioned a mix- is this a DAW setup? Are you running any memory intensive plugins or seeing large latencies in any other way? Just trying to learn from your experience here as I’ve not used a monitor with internal DAC before. |
@designsfx Ah, I assumed you meant sample rate change from track to track. There is no other hardware other than the MacStudio, Mutec MC-3 and the PMC monitors. I did just hear back from Mutec. They suggested maybe the USB cable wasn't allowing for enough power but I'm using external power so that's a moot point. I wonder if a higher quality USB cable is necessary? |
I would be very surprised if it were cable quality- I’ve pushed $2 USB cables into video processors that were doing more work than that without issue. It’s a weird problem.
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Ok- thanks for the pic. I may be guessing here but from what I’ve read in the manual it looks like you might have missed a step when setting this up. If not- my fault but it won’t be any worst than it is now! It seems that by having the three selections on the reference input column selected the unit is expecting a clock reference from the associated input on the rear of the unit. The manual is not very explanation of just how far the USB input will take you but it seems you’re missing a clock rate (unless that comes on when the unit is operating of course). |
I've tried just about every configuration available. This appears to be the only setting that gives me audio. Also, I'm unable to have nothing selected for the Reference column and at no point am I able to change anything in the Clock Out column. When I scroll through the settings, that column is always skipped. I wonder if that setting is tied to a particular input/output of the device? |
I think your thought process is correct with regards to the I/O. From what I’ve read it seems that the MC looks for a reference- and whether that’s via an AES/SPDIF input or an individual BNC Word clock input (rear input connections) it would correlate to the selectors on the front panel. My assumption was that if you’re using USB for signal and clock reference none of the others would need to be selected. I don’t understand why it would want another timing source if only USB was used. I’m assuming you had the Mac and USB all connected with a source playing while setting up the MC3? My question to Mutec would be “why do I have to select other input references to have audio throughput when I’m using USB as a source”. BUT- there might be something in all of this that means the MC3 is outputting something strange to your speakers DAC and/or signal network. Just my guess. |
After looking at the Mac specific instructions, I noticed this. Looks like everything displayed on the front is normal and expected. I may try a hi-end USB cable and see if that changes anything. Will also most likely get that Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 and compare results.
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I might have a different reference than you- I pulled the manual off their web site a couple of weeks ago. The setup notes in the copy I have state the following: »INTERN« & »RE-CLK« (Internally referenced Audio re-clocking) Anyway- sorry I couldn’t help you out more on this but I am interested in these units as I’m thinking about testing it to distribute signals from my playback server to multiple DAC’s. Hoping it would be the right piece for the application. |