mutec MC3+USB or JCAT Femto USB card and HD Plex 200W PSU

[Fox Audio]

Hello,

 

I am running a dedicated Audio PC with Windows Server 2016, AO and Roon. This PC is connected via USB to an Audiolab M-DAC.

 

The sound is really nice but when I play CD's with my Denon DCD50 cd-player over coax through the M-DAC if find the sound more relaxed, more powerful bass and just more black. My PC is more resolving on the other hand.

 

I know I have have to get the USB signal out of my PC in a far better way than what i have now. I have a budget of 1000 euro and was thinking about a Mutec MC3+ USB which then would be connected via coax to the DAC. Other option was to spend the 1000 euro on an JCAT FEMTO USB card  + a HDPLEX 200W PSU/400W HiFi DC-ATX combo. The USB connection of the M-DAC is limited to 96kHz, the coax would give me192kHz but most of my files are 16/44. Also concidered to sell the MDAC and buy a Schiit Gungir Multibit DAC.

 

So, what would you guys do I my case with a budget of 1000 euro to improve the sound? ?

 

Thanks in advance and kind regards

[thuandb]

I'd do the upgrades in the following order:

 

1/ JCAT FEMTO USB + iFi iPower as external PSU.

2/ Mutec mc3+USB or Schiit Eitr

3/ DAC upgrade

 

Doing all 3 at once will exceed your budget allowance, so I'd proceed one at a time, savoring the SQ improvement with each change for a while before moving on to the next upgrade.  I'd start powering JCAT USB with an iPower, then look into a more ambitious PSU such as Nano iUSB, Micro iUSB (I'm using now with love), HDPLEX, or Uptone LPS-2.  Step 1 and 2 can be interchangeable.  16/44 is your choice now but never say you never go hi-res or DSD, so better be prepared.

 

Just two cents from my personal computer audio journey.  Wishing you best of luck.