Mutec MC-3+ Smart Clock USB black

A fine product, but it takes more than one

A well built interface, packed with I/O options and a clever interface. But after the initial setup it's really "set and forget."

To truly achieve a sublime sound quality, one should cascade 2 or 3 units, which in turn will reduce the jitter to unbelievable levels. If one have the budget for the REF10 clock, one shouldn't hesitate -- the sound becomes a beguiling liquid.

4 stars for features -- a USB output would place it head-and-shoulders above any other competitor in the market.

Power issues

The unit is spewed for USB 2.0. I wrote to mutes when the deceive kept disappearing from the midi manager on Mac Mini High Sierra 10.13. Mutec wrote back to say try USB 3.0 the USB input might not be getting enough power.

Why a device that takes mains input should be dependent on rubbish usb power from an upstream Mac with crappy amps I just don?t get.

Now it looks like I will need to buy a new Mac.

a well-performing recommendation

I use it as a USB interface while PC as source, and a bridge delivering from CD transport which has a bnc-wck sync function. Additionally, I use an Antelope OCX HD as wck sync source all over my system, enhanced by a Rb 10MHz generator made in US for telecom use. Both ways are quite well and sound more musical, more dense and more 3D. Good at re-clock and re-shape, Mutec MC 3+ delivers a wide sound stage and precise localization of individual sounds.

A very versatile and effective digital device

I bought the Mutec for use with my digital, home Hi-fi system. I use a Mac mini computer as a server and have added a Sonore Microrendu connected to my home network by ethernet and using Roon on my Mac as the music player. The Microrendu outputs via USB to a Hegel 160 amplifier's USB input.

I wanted to see if the Mutec USB would improve the sound of my system by converting the USB signal to SPDIF but also because of its reclocking and abilities to reduce jitter. I am very glad that I tried it because it has made a big difference to the overall quality of the sound of my system.

What is more, the Mutec is flexible enough for it to adapt to any digital system that I may change over too. People even use them to improve the sound of the digital inputs to very expensive Devialet amps!

Believe all the good press about this little wonder and snap one up now before Stirling drops even further against the Euro!