Mutec
MC3+ USB
Audiophile USB interface,
master clock and audio re-clocker
A new sonic dimension for USB audio
The MC3+ USB is setting a new benchmark for clocking technology and the reproduction of digital audio by uniquely combining an audiophile USB interface with an audio re-clocker in perfection! Particularly designed for the demands of high-end consumer audio, the device expands a new sonic universe with increased musicality, clarity, and precision. As such, the MC‑3+ USB will prove its worth in many audiophile listening rooms around the world.
Features
- Unique, bit-transparent Re-Clocking without conventional sample rate conversion for purest sound quality
- Audiophile, asynchronous two-channel USB interface with ultra-low noise audio clock oscillators and total galvanic isolation of up to 2500 VRMS, respectively 4242 VPK, for suppression of high-frequency interferences
- Converts DSD/DoP streams (64-256) to PCM audio with selectable output clock rate
- Locks to MUTEC's REF10, as well as so-called atomic clocks and GPS clock references
- Improved, next-generation REVIVE re-clocking and 1G-Clock technology by MUTEC
- Tested and approved to provide a consistently stellar user experience with Roon
- Serves as a flexible digital input switching matrix, audio format converter and master clock
- Compatible to Apple Macintosh and Windows PCs
- Intuitive user interface and easy installation
- Update-capability via USB
- Available with black- or clear aluminum front panel
- Galvanic isolation up to 2500 VRMS in accordance with UL1577, respectively 4242 VPK in accordance with DIN EN 60747-5-2 (VDE 0884 part 2)
- Transfers USB audio streams into AES3 and S/P-DIF and outputs those to five digital audio formats simultaneously
- Converts between USB PCM audio, USB DSD/DoP audio, AES3 and S/P-DIF, as well as between AES11 and Word Clock
- Highly compatible USB audio class 2.0 driver for Windows supporting ASIO, MME, DirectSound, WASAPI, Kernel Streaming, PCM 16Bit, 24Bit, 32Bit and Float-32Bit at all clock rates between 44.1kHzand 192.0kHz
- Ultra-low jitter Word Clock generation with clock rates up to 1,536.0 kHz
- Scalable to FS1x512 clock rates, 22,5792 MHz & 24,576 MHz, for e.g. high-end audio interfaces
- Locks to Rubidium- (10 MHz), Cesium- (5 MHz) and GPS clock references
- Generates Word Clocks, Super Clocks, AES3 + S/P-DIF blanks simultaneously
- Uninterruptable, fail-safe clock generation in all operation modes
- Eliminates so-called digital "clicks and pops"
- Individual lock indicators for the clock or audio reference and the re-clock reference
- USB, AES/EBU, AES/EBUid and S/P-DIF interfaces in one box
- S/P-DIF interconnections via BNC, RCA and optical interfaces available as in- and outputs
- Front panel lock-out for preventing of misuse
- Rack-space-saving 9.5" housing
- Built-in, universal power supply
Ultimate connectivity and flexibility
The MC3+ USB enables bi-directional audio format conversion (half-duplex) between USB audio streams, AES3, AES3id, and S/P-DIF signals. In addition to a variety of digital audio outputs like most other competing devices, it furthermore also provides a full set of digital inputs for AES3, AES3id, and S/P-DIF signals with BNC, RCA, and optical connectivity. Audio streams received via USB will always be converted to five audio outputs allowing multiple devices to receive the same audio simultaneously. Upon selecting one of the audio inputs, the signal will be converted into a USB audio stream to be sent to the computer. At the same time, the source signal will also be converted to the digital outputs of the MC‑3+ USB, which can be used for monitoring purposes or a digital peak meter, while audio is recorded in the computer via USB. The re-clocking process takes care of delivering your audio at the utmost precision in both cases.
Apart from transmitting standard PCM audio the USB interface is further capable of receiving native DSD and DoP streams with up to four times the SACD clock rate (DSD256). These streams will be re-clocked and converted to PCM audio by the MC‑3+ USB in realtime to pass them on to the five audio outputs simultaneously. The desired clock rate for the digital outputs can be selected on the front panel with options between 44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHzand 176.4 kHzthat are independent from the clock rate of the incoming DSD or DoP streams.
High-end D/A converters or premium music servers often provide BNC connectors for the transmission of S/P-DIF signals, which are the best choice due to their superior electrical properties compared to the RCA connector. With the MC‑3+ USB you can conveniently convert USB-PCM, DSD/DoP, or AES3 streams to the S/P-DIF format and send it to appropriately equipped high-end receivers via BNC. Four additional outputs in other formats may be used simultaneously to drive digital headphone amps or other digital audio devices for recording and/or monitoring.
While the MC‑3+ USB is playing back your precious music via the digital audio outputs, the four Word Clock outputs simultaneously provide phase-coherent clock signals. Since those are derived from the internal re-clocking process they have the same ultra-low jitter qualities as the basic clock signal embedded in the audio signals. Furthermore, the clock outputs may be independently switched in pairs to scale to clock rates of up to FS1 x 512, coming out to 22.5792 MHz or 24.576 MHz respectively making the Word Clock signals of MC‑3+ USB are ideally suited to clock a wide range of studio equipment and high-end DACs, CD players, and audio interfaces from manufacturers such as Esoteric, TACT Audio or M2Tech (e.g. hiFace Evo).
The MC3+ USB in the studio and in live sound
The new MC3+ USB serves not only as a generator, but also as a clock distributor. Unlike other products, the MC‑3+ USB effectively regenerates incoming clock signals to higher precision as the signal source. This helps to stabilize existing clock systems and improves the level of sound reproduction quality in the studio environment. In cases when the MC‑3+ USB’s digitally compensated clock accuracy is not sufficient, it is possible to lock the system to so-called atomic clocks or GPS receivers, raising the timing accuracy to the highest possible level. In addition to the commonly known 10 MHz frequency of Rubidium-based clocks and GPS receivers, the device also supports 5 MHz Caesium-based clock rates as well as 1 MHz and 2.5 MHz frequencies.
