Afterdark Master Clock for Mutec MC-3 + Smart Clock USB

[AfterDark.]

Technical information about the Mutec MC-3 + Smart Clock USB

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.

 

 

Jitter elimination, the simple approach on Mutec MC-3

Jitter is a problem common to every digital streamer on the market. Although it is not limited to digital streamer, it is the most common source (Jitter can be caused by the cable connecting the DAC to the digital streamer, the receiver in the DAC, power supplies etc.) 

 

Jitter is a phenomenon characteristic of the digital audio appearing (in time) where we do not expect them to appear. 

 

Streaming Music Services such as Tidal, Qobuz requires a high degree of timing accuracy. Each bit (a bit is a single on and off transition) must begin and end at a prescribed place in time. The digital bits occur at these precise time interval because of a crystal controlled oscillator known as clock. This clock has different performance and types: TCXO, FETMO, OCXO.

 

The art of retrieving the information off the digital streaming, synchronizing the internal clock of the DAC with the recorded clock on the music streaming records from the Qobuz, all conspire to cause jitter in the music streamer's output signal. For example, USB, Digital Coaxial, AES output signals. When the DAC receives the jittered signal, it causes more jitter when it tries to separate the clock from the music. Therefore, the Re-Clock function on Mutec MC-3 will help help to solve this problems on jitter. 

 

The Re-Clock function on Mutec MC-3 is quite unique, it provide the bit-transparent without conventional sample rate conversation for best sound quality. This function is very impressive and convenient when customer using the very best DAC, it can Re-Clock the digital signal on USB interface. 

 

USB interfaces are the most commonly utilised devices for digital audio transmission in a CAS. It is no secret that even the best D/A convertors are not capable of reproducing and converting audio via USB at the highest possible level, which is why using digital inputs such as AES3 or SPDIF Coaxial Digital yields significant better results and is generally good sounding. 

 

Mutec have invest 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 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.

 

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 Ultra 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. 

 

10M Master Reference Clock Ready for Word Clock outputs  

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, dCS and CH Swiss. 

 

Audiophile 10M Master Reference Clock for High-resolution Re-Clocking

It is widely known that a master clock improves the sound quality of digital audio devices such as CD players and music streamers or mixing desks and DAWs more or less. But carving out finest details in audio recordings to reproduce individual instruments as clearly and with the best spatial resolution as possible is best achieved with high-resolution re-clocking of the audio material. This is what MUTEC’s proprietary re-clocking algorithm paired with the 1G-Clock technology provides at the highest level!

 

Mutec MC-3+ Smart Clock already impressed critics and users around the world, and the MC‑3+USB now marks the next generation of re-clocking by MUTEC. Extreme oversampling of incoming data allows the audio to be recombined and merged with a newly generated ultra-low jitter clock signal at ultimate precision, enhancing the re-clocked audio with unparalleled richness of details, spatiality, and musicality.

 

Measuring the Jitter Spectrum of a DAC 

 

With the Mutec MC-3 + USB , the Jitter Spectrum of a DAC is eliminated. 

 

It is worth to try 10M Master Clock?

The world-renowned 1G-Clock technology that we introduced with the popular MC-3+ Smart Clock by MUTEC has been setting new standards for the generation of nearly jitter-free clock signals. Our engineers have derived a reference clock rate for our DDS (direct digital synthesis) process through extensive lab testing, which reduces jitter and noise artifacts present in all other DDS algorithms to their absolute minimum.

 

Building on these fundamentals, we were able to further improve clocking algorithms in the MC‑3+USB based on our 1G-Clock technology. The reduction of power supply noise has been taken to yet another level by employing the latest cutting-edge components. All of these measures combined yield an additional, clearly audible improvement in transparency, spatiality, and musicality of the re-clocked audio as our distinguished beta-testers can attest.

 

The new MC-3+ Smart Clock 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 AfterDark. Giesemann OCXO 10M Master Clock, raising the timing accuracy to the highest possible level.

 

 

How much can a 10M Master Clock improve with Mutec MC3 + Smart Clock? 

The first impression when we connect Mutec with the external 10M Master Reference Clock, we simply a jaw dropping experience for us. The music is just right, huge soundstage, details is located in the right positions, very smooth sounding and make me smiles when we listened to music. This improvement is more obvious when you play classical and Jazz. The performer just give you there in a right position and timing. So, the digital harsh due to jitter will be eliminated. Finally the music is so organic with any digital music playback.

 

"Thank you for your wonderful Masterclock development. All of your claims have become true. Sound is more analogue, more detailed, more micro details, more depth, more body... just wonderful. I am absolutely in love with this nice piece of equipment.
Thank you for your work" by M.

 

The Listening Impression with Giesemann Clock 

 

[AfterDark.]

4 hours ago, Cazzesman said:

@AfterDark.

 

 

Hello @AfterDark ,

 

I currently run a Mutec mc3 +usb which has the 75 ohm inputs.   I believe the Mutec handles both square and sine waves.   Others may confirm this fact or fiction.

 

From your Master Clock range of Units, which ones are the most suitable to use with Mutec using the 75 ohm BNC.   
 

Also which Unit is most suitable for the Mutec re the Square vs Sine wave issue.

 

I am interested in the Emperor Double Crown with the Afterdark LPS unit.

 

Regards Cazzesman. 

 

Hello Cazzesman,

 

Thanks for your questions. The Mutec will accepts both sine waves and square waves. 

 

We recommend to choose Emperor Signature or above for Mutec. The soundstage is much wider and music is so smooth that you will be impressive with the improvement after using Giesemann 10M Master Clock with it. 

 

The LPS is a special designed with Giesemann Clock rated at 12V 2A 

 

We prefers sine wave, as this is more natural sounding when compared. 

 

Have a nice day.

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark. 

[AfterDark.]

19 hours ago, Cazzesman said:

@AfterDark.Thank you Adrian,

 

I have sent you some further questions about a purchase, to your email address at

 

'[email protected]'

 

Regards Cazzesman

 

Hello Cazzesman,

 

Thanks for your purchase. We do not receive your email, could you please resend again. 

 

Thanks and have a nice weekend.

 

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark. 

[AfterDark.]

1 hour ago, Cazzesman said:

@AfterDark.

 

Email sent again to '[email protected]'

 

Please let me know if it doesn't arrive.

 

Regards Cazzesman

 

Hello Cazzesman,

 

Thanks for your email, we well received your email.

 

We believe you will be impressed with the improvement it can made when connecting Giesemann Clock - Emperor Signature to Mutec MC3-USB.

 

Have a nice weekend.

 

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark.

 

 

[AfterDark.]

Hi! Ziggy47,

 

Thanks for your interested. The Giesemann Clock will improve the sounding for Mutec MC3-USB, the music will flow much smoother, and soundstage is wider. We have some good feedback with the comments below: 

 

The quality of three outlet one is the same as single output. 

 

Have a nice day.

 

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark. 

 

[AfterDark.]

19 hours ago, MartinT said:

 

@AfterDark. would you be able to answer this? I need to place an order for a 75 ohm splitter soon.

 

Hello! Martin,

 

This adapter may not work for this application. It is for video application.

 

Thanks and have a nice day.

 

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark. 

[AfterDark.]

We have more Mutec MC3-USB customer enjoying the Giesemann Clock like we do. 

 

Have a nice weekend. 

 

 

 

[AfterDark.]

Hi! 
 

Thanks for your support and positive feedback on Giesemann Master Clock. 
 

We are delighted the Giesemann products is having a formal review from Stereotimes in USA.

Please check this out on this review:

http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/afterdark-project-by-mike-girardi

 

Thanks for audiophilestyle members review, we hope all can enjoy our AfterDark products,  which can give great improvements for Mutec MC3-USB and EtherREGEN. 
 

Have a nice weekend.

 

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark. 

[AfterDark.]

Hi! 

 

We have some positive feedback about the AD modded Mutec MC3 + Farad Super3 LPS.

 

"Music is full blown, deep low-end, rich mids, crystal clear highs. Spatial resolution is astounding. Orchestral music is enthralling. Soundstage is all enveloping. All of this without digital edge."

 

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark.