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Post by haphazzard on Sept 4, 2022 8:44:33 GMT
I consider myself to be a skeptic about digital tweaks but the improvement in sound quality by inserting firebottle's MC-3+ between my transport and DAC was discernable quite easily. I've placed an order for one already. Ian have you tried the mutec with the chevron dac yet. I too was at your bake-off when this was plugged in and heard a difference but didn’t have time to evaluate it properly, it was interesting though. I probably need a good listen at it. |
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edward
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Post by edward on Sept 4, 2022 9:35:33 GMT
Does the Mutec also help on a coax input to a DAC? One way I do things is not having USB in the audio path.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 4, 2022 10:18:02 GMT
Does the Mutec also help on a coax input to a DAC? One way I do things is not having USB in the audio path. Yes. Coax into the DAC is improved too. I have tried that. No USB module in mine as I took it out. I use AES into the Mutec and AES into the DAC. BLOODY MARVELOUS it is. |
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edward
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Post by edward on Sept 4, 2022 17:59:38 GMT
Does the Mutec also help on a coax input to a DAC? One way I do things is not having USB in the audio path. Yes. Coax into the DAC is improved too. I have tried that. No USB module in mine as I took it out. I use AES into the Mutec and AES into the DAC. BLOODY MARVELOUS it is. Cheers Oli I guess I now will have to put it on my 'must have' list.  What is your AES source by the way? A CDP? |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 4, 2022 18:33:44 GMT
Yes. Coax into the DAC is improved too. I have tried that. No USB module in mine as I took it out. I use AES into the Mutec and AES into the DAC. BLOODY MARVELOUS it is. Cheers Oli I guess I now will have to put it on my 'must have' list. What is your AES source by the way? A CDP? I use a Digibit Aria. I will move to a Pi2AES Mercury In The near future |
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edward
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Post by edward on Sept 4, 2022 19:12:15 GMT
Cheers Oli I guess I now will have to put it on my 'must have' list. What is your AES source by the way? A CDP? I use a Digibit Aria. I will move to a Pi2AES Mercury In The near future Very very nice Oli. Th Pi2AES looks like a nice implementation. Good attention to the areas that matter. I'm currently looking around for some options. This prompted by the thin mini-itx motherboard on my transport (built some years ago) going south. Currently using a HiFiBerry Digi+ Pro (spdif output) running RoPieeeXL software. I could stop right here as sq is sublime, but you know how it is.  Recently (few days ago) got a NUC so will be playing with that. ROCK currently installed and nice noises, but I'm sure could be improved. Ideally would like to replace the bricked thin mini-itx motherboard and rebuild the streamer. You got one lying around? Needs to be one with the barrel power input (not the ATX power connectors). |
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Post by ijrussell on Sept 4, 2022 21:00:45 GMT
Ian have you tried the mutec with the chevron dac yet. I too was at your bake-off when this was plugged in and heard a difference but didn’t have time to evaluate it properly, it was interesting though. I probably need a good listen at it. I haven't tried a proper test but I'd be surprised if it doesn't make it sound better. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 13, 2022 19:32:52 GMT
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Post by lurch on Sept 13, 2022 19:56:14 GMT
He now has my PM, just awaiting PayPal details. Let's hope it thrashes my AudioGD otherwise it will be back up for sale a bit half sharp. |
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Post by lurch on Sept 13, 2022 20:15:05 GMT
Paid, now let's see what it's made of.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2022 20:17:49 GMT
He now has my PM, just awaiting PayPal details. Let's hope it thrashes my AudioGD otherwise it will be back up for sale a bit half sharp. I hope it does not, but I expect it may. |
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Post by lurch on Sept 13, 2022 20:21:41 GMT
He now has my PM, just awaiting PayPal details. Let's hope it thrashes my AudioGD otherwise it will be back up for sale a bit half sharp. I hope it does not, but I expect it may. If it does you could always buy my AudioGD and daisy chain it with yours. 😄 |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2022 20:39:34 GMT
Or I could buy the new version of the Audio GD, which according to a review I read is better than the Mutec.
Or I could just continue to be blissfully ignorant.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 13, 2022 21:23:41 GMT
Or I could buy the new version of the Audio GD, which according to a review I read is better than the Mutec. Or I could just continue to be blissfully ignorant. Share said review please ☺️ |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2022 22:05:36 GMT
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Post by firebottle on Sept 14, 2022 7:00:26 GMT
Looking forward to the result Lurch.
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Post by stevew on Sept 14, 2022 7:39:27 GMT
Niiiice.. And all the power supply stuff is sorted. |
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Post by misterc on Sept 14, 2022 8:25:48 GMT
This is where the real world happens and your ears tell you results Lurch has the lesser model of the audio GD I believe. in a straight battle using the top of heap 20jhe version of the AGD (both un touched) the performnace via AES is easily the Mutec's no problem at, Where the AFD scores is I2s. But it does have a sound of its own.
From a customer who has owed as many DDC's as I have lol
"The only DDC that has not coloured the sound has been the mutec, the audio gd okay if add an external clock, the naturalness with noise floor are spot with the Mutec'
As with everthing in audio your system and ears will tell you what your system is capable of doing and results will vary from system to system along with your personal preferences.
Enjoy your time exploring both of the units John
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Post by stevew on Sept 14, 2022 8:27:00 GMT
Niiiice.. And all the power supply stuff is sorted. Love this bit on the audio gd website www.audio-gd.com/R2R/DI20HE/DI20HEEN.htmPlease note : 1, The product price is expensive , we suggest the customers have the R-8 or R-27 or higher grade DACs , then consider if want to purchase . If the product connect with the low grade DACs, can not show its real sound quality level . |
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Post by lurch on Sept 15, 2022 13:45:37 GMT
Well my system is now Mutec'd (Pimped Node2 > Mutec > Pimped Black Ice Glass fx DSD + 2x 0.5m Chord Shawline Coax)
To my ears the Mutec is a touch richer and cleaner sounding + the sound has a bit more weight & solidity to it, when compared to the AGD DI-2014. It's not a night and day difference, but the difference is noticeable. It just sounds more right than the AGD which was pretty good, and moved things on from a non-DDC setup, especially as it only cost me £170 8 months ago.
Also as luck would have it, I'm pretty sure I have a buyer lined up for the AGD.
Might just have to find out how much Allen is charging for his internal psu mod.
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Post by misterc on Sept 15, 2022 14:04:58 GMT
IMHO source some better digital i/c's first before getting Alan to work his magic inside
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Post by antonio on Sept 15, 2022 15:22:23 GMT
And yet more good feedback on the Mutec, I know Bigman recommended one to me when I purchased his Soekris, pleased you're liking it John. The bad news is you are already thinking of raiding the piggy bank again and now better digital interconnects could be needed.
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Post by lurch on Sept 15, 2022 16:30:23 GMT
Yeah and therein lies the problem.
If I upgrade the digital ICs then they'll still be held back by the Analogue ICs (also Shawline) so that's a full IC Loom upgrade. Think I will just stay put for the moment until I have plenty more shillings to play with, as don't think £1600 (Inc what could possibly get for old Loom) would cut it. As would need 2x 0.5m Coax, 2x0.5m & 1x 1m rca + 1x xlr pair.
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Post by lurch on Sept 17, 2022 10:01:56 GMT
Well my system is now Mutec'd (Pimped Node2 > Mutec > Pimped Black Ice Glass fx DSD + 2x 0.5m Chord Shawline Coax) To my ears the Mutec is a touch richer and cleaner sounding + the sound has a bit more weight & solidity to it, when compared to the AGD DI-2014. It's not a night and day difference, but the difference is noticeable. It just sounds more right than the AGD which was pretty good, and moved things on from a non-DDC setup, especially as it only cost me £170 8 months ago. Also as luck would have it, I'm pretty sure I have a buyer lined up for the AGD. Might just have to find out how much Allen is charging for his internal psu mod. Time to add some more I think. This morning at 03:10 am, I was able to turn the volume up to more acceptable levels (upstairs Tennant pissed of at 03:07 am, for the weekend) So 7.5 hrs and counting. ALL I can say is WOW!! The improvement is MORE than subtle (put the AGD back in, it lasted 5 mins) the level of detail, texture, soundstage, solidity, drive etc is incredible. One example is on a PJ Harvey track via RP, had heard many times and thought the repeated low sound was a single one (think sustained organ note) it turns out that via the Mutec its actually a quick modulating tone much like the sound made when giving someone a rasberry. Allanah Miles Black Velvet (flac via NAS) a track I know well, sounded more alive with greater separation & tonality to instruments + extra instrumental and incidental sounds heard. Colour me gobsmacked, well worth the £650 I paid for it and then some. |
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Post by firebottle on Sept 17, 2022 10:12:43 GMT
Good one Lurch, it is amazing how good the Mutec can make digital sound.
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Post by bencat on Sept 21, 2022 15:25:45 GMT
A Quick question about this there is another Mutec MC-3+ that does not have USB input (which I do not need) but is cheaper than the unit being talked about here . Is there a marked drop in sound quality in that unit compared to the USB version ?
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Post by firebottle on Sept 21, 2022 16:07:09 GMT
Yes without the USB it is just the MC-3, the USB function is an add on board.
The quality is identical as the motherboard is the same.
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Post by misterc on Sept 21, 2022 20:28:33 GMT
Going to differ here chaps boards are different, power routing is different, cap layout, type and number. Plus the dil sockets for the mutec designed Xmas usb board and 150ma of current.
I have pimped both equally and there us small noticeable difference, how much will will depend systems ability to resolve the finial signal
If you are not using a USB input and have zero audiophile tenancies then don't worry
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Post by firebottle on Sept 22, 2022 6:42:00 GMT
Interesting that they are different motherboards, that shows professionalism.
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Post by misterc on Sept 22, 2022 7:49:54 GMT
Interesting that they are different motherboards, that shows professionalism. Morning Alan
This is a MC3+ stock board, below is the MC3+usb version.
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Recently (few days ago) got a NUC so will be playing with that. ROCK currently installed and nice noises, but I'm sure could be improved. Ideally would like to replace the bricked thin mini-itx motherboard and rebuild the streamer. You got one lying around? Needs to be one with the barrel power input (not the ATX power connectors).
