Description
The MC-3+ Smart Clock 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.
- 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
Additional Features:
- 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)
- Converts DSD/DoP streams (64-256) to PCM audio with selectable output clock rate
- 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 44.1kHz and 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
Also available with silver front. (please inquire)
Applications
- Optimizes jitter-affected digital sources like CD transports, satellite ratios, and streamers
- Ideally suited as a signal conditioner to audibly improve any D/A converter
- Enables computer audio via USB at highest fidelity quality
- Serves as a digital audio switching matrix, format converter, and master clock
- Exports and converts native DSD signals from the computer
- Isolates USB audio streams to digital devices
- Improves jitter-affected digital sources for archival and audio processing purposes
A new sonic Dimension for USB Audio
USB interfaces are the most commonly utilized devices for digital audio transmission in a computer-based music playback environment. But the convenience and ease of use often times come at a price of lackluster audio quality to the critical ears of high-end consumer audio aficionados and of professional users. It’s no secret that even the best D/A converters are not capable of reproducing and converting audio via USB at the highest possible level, which is why using digital audio inputs such as AES3 or S/P-DIF yields significantly better results and is generally preferred.
We have invested into our own research to uncover the underlying principles and the root of the problem with high-end audio via USB. In a nutshell, electromagnetic interference of any kind, but particularly those caused by audio computers and other IT devices, will induce noise and seriously disturb the audio transmission. In order to eliminate these disturbances and avoid their damaging effect on the conversion process as much as possible we have developed a new signal-isolating, asynchronous USB interface for the MC-3+ Smart Clock USB. It has been designed as a dedicated building block with a power supply that’s independent from the main board of the unit. In addition, the USB interface is galvanically isolated from the other parts of the circuitry and employs its own ultra-low noise audio oscillators that once again are autonomous and isolated from the other processes. In combination with IT-based high-speed isolators we have achieved exceptional reduction of the impact of noise interference within the USB data stream yielding a USB interface that’s virtually immune to any interference problems caused by PCs, laptops or music servers. At the same time, there are no limitations regarding the possible clock rates for playback from your music library with the MC‑3+USB supporting all rates possible up to high-speed USB as well as DSD/DoP streams up to DSD/DoP256.
All of these features in combination with the subsequent re-clocking process, proprietary to MUTEC, leads to a significant acoustic improvement of connected digital audio devices that usually manifests itself in increased width of the sound stage, more precise imaging, and with a more musical representation of the recorded space and the instruments within it. Stock consumer audio devices, laptops, and audio computers can now achieve a new level of sonic perfection that was previously reserved for equipment with much higher price tags.