USB Nervosa Thread Decrapifiers, pro interfaces, and bears oh my

Blue Jeans.

 

I have a Mutec MC3+ USB feeding Yggdrasil AES and can echo the earlier comments by @MisterRogers. I hear the difference as a significant improvement in sound stage/imaging and as a by product overall resolution is increased.

Word of caution: I had to stick a cheapo powered USB 2.0 hub in front of the Mutec as it doesn't like the USB ports on my 2014MBP. I'm still in the process of root causing it.

 

An option for folks with Thunderbolt is the Sonnet external PCI cage. Lynx has just provided a TB driver for the cage for Mac, so you could run an AES16e for like a grand. On PC the lynx stuff doesn't work, but the RME cards do, though that will run you up to 1.5k.

http://www.lynxstudio.com/product_detail.asp?i=61

http://www.sonnettech.com/product/thunderbolt/index.html

 

Not for the faint of heart (or those that are concerned about warranty), but modding a Mutec (I've done the 3+USB's, but I suspect similar benefits can be had modding the baby brother) to accept a quality linear supply is an immediately discernible / audible improvement.

 

Blue Jeans is quite affordable if you want to check out their option. If you have the Mutec you might as well spend the extra $5.
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/digital-audio/index.htm

 

I would love to read more about comparisons between the 1.2 and 3+. It looks like @bixby has had access to both in his own rig.

 

I have both Mutecs on vehicle for delivery today.

And it's my birthday!

Word.

 

Happy Birthday!. Please do keep us posted on comparative impressions, if you don't mind, and when you get some free time.

 

I will be reviewing the 3+ on my blog soon. Briefly, it is a noticeable jump up from the 1.2 and an excellent sounding bridge.

 

I've been reading your blog. Very interesting! Keep up the good work
Can't wait for your conclusion on the matter, as I'm in the middle of a headache from computer audio(phile)

 

I forget if this has been done, but has someone compared the Berkeley Alpha USB with the Mutec 3+ USB? Just curious, as I'd really rather buy a network renderer that spat out SPDIF directly. Just seems like a cleaner (though currently pricier) way to go.

 

Industrial Intona came yesterday. I noticed no improvement in front of the Mutec MC-3+USB.

I'll try it with the Soekris this weekend.

 

I was in contact with Ken at Markertek for a possible group buy. Did anyone else want to jump the gun and get one? They are at $1030 with free shipping for one unit at this time. Just a thought, if there was interest in doing this?

 

I have not but a person I trust has heard the Berkeley in his system. He has also heard the Mutec 3+ USB which he likes. Re: the Berkeley, he feels it is one of the most overhyped pieces he has heard. He did not like. YMMV and only one persons opinion.

 

I might be interested depending on the final price.

 

First I would like to thank the contributing members on this site as I have read a lot of good information, particularly regarding Schitt DACs. I thought I would share my recent experiences with my Schitt Yggdrasil. I have been using a C.A.P.S V2 PC with a ESI Julia card feeding SPDIF to the Yggdrasil. Recently, I upgraded the PC from Win 7 Pro to Win 10. Everything was fine until I upgraded the Juli@ driver which caused a severe distortion in the sound. My fault for not checking user feedback on the ESI Win10 drivers, because posters on the User blog have been complaining for several months that the Win10 driver does not work. I know I could have gone back in drivers, but I used this instead as a reason to experiment. I already had a USB Disruptor so I went USB and detected no difference in audio between it and when my Juli@ card worked.

Reading on this site and some others that the AES input was Mike Moffat's preferred input on the Yggdrasil, I bought a Yellowtec PUC2 Lite (powered by the USB Drisruptor) along with a Schitt USB cable and a Signal AES cable. Search for Yellowtec PUC2 reviews and what they say is true. It ranks with the best of the USB converters on the market. The sound is richer and more dynamic. It was not a subtle improvement.

 

Let me ask Monday and get back to you.

 

Please let me know as well. I'm looking to buy one next week also. Won't be until Wednesday or Thursday though.

 

Ok, I'll PM prices a bit later today. Anyone else?