Studio Magazin

6 Studio Magazin 11/13
figured out a very simple, clearly mana-
geable, autarchic setup that consists of
an AES signal as a source, an (due to
reasons of fairness) unspecified D/A con-
verter, and a Mutec MC-3+ Smart Clock.
Although the rewiring of the AES3 sour-
ce directly to the converter or via the
‘detour’ through the re-clocking path of
MC-3+ always took a few seconds and
a correspondingly long listening break,
the perceived differences were so signifi-
cant that I readily see in the position to
determine exactly the tonal implications.
As a source I used the CD material from
my test components that I know for a
very long time and which already for-
med the basis for many listening tests.
Among them was a recording of a sym-
phonic concert which was recorded wi-
th only two microphones at one position
(Denon One Spot Recording) and some
more modern pop titles that are either
characterized by sharply defined transi-
ents or musically overloaded structures
which react very sensitively to transmis-
sion situations of all kinds, e.g. spea-
kers or converter listening tests. I liste-
ned to each ‘direct’ and ‘re-clocked’ si-
gnal over a relatively long period of ti-
me in order to memorize specific sound
features with every listening session: di-
mensionality, localization, transient re-
sponse and so on. Part of the classical
recording is a bassoon solo in which,
under good listening conditions, the key
sound of the instrument can be percei-
ved in the background. When I first li-
stened to the re-clocked ‘version’ of this
recording I was pretty amazed. This key
noise was suddenly so concise as never
before, the stereo stage appeared ‘reli-
ef-like’ or more three-dimensional whi-
le the instrument groups moved all in a
much clearer perceivable position, pre-
senting themselves more defined and
thus more ‘frontal’. The basses became
more ‘physical’ and the strings’ sound
structure appeared to contain mo-
re ‘details’, all this was combined wi-
th a ‘deeper’ perceived spaciousness.
That I had to discover these tonal dif-
ferences consecutively in order to spe-
cify them more precisely, already points
out that I do not talk about scales of
improvement. But all sonic details to-
gether generate an effortlessly percei-
vable spacing towards the standard re-
cording. With the pop songs I noticed
especially the sharper reproduction of
the transients. Overall, pulses appear
more powerful, rim shots showed a fi-
ner structure in their dynamic process.
Basses had a richer, more ‘growling’
overtone spectrum and a deeper spatial
sound image was here clearly perceiva-
ble again. Especially small, rather hid-
den spatial details could be noted in a
more contoured and more detailed way.
You hear them in the internally clocked
version, too, but only when the re-clo-
cked version had quasi ‘pointed wi-
th its finger’ on it. With all the elation
about the perceived differences, it ho-
wever remains to be noted that the-
se effects are not likely to be so ob-
vious with every converter combinati-
on as some devices, due to their circuit
designs, remain ‘resistant’ to a ‘better’
clock signal. At least, it can be assumed
that an extremely clean external clock
does not degrade the sound. In mo-
re complex studio installations with ma-
ny converter channels, the external clo-
cking is certainly a good decision. How
this topology actually affects the sound
depends on the particular case. To put it
another way, I absolutely entrust to try it
out to you.
Conclusion
Considering complex circuit details on
the basis of new technologies, Mutec ap-
proached the topic ‘clock signal’ with its
MC-3+ Smart Clock significantly closer to
the theoretical ideal. Beside the aspect
of mere considerations about an instal-
lation or a system, our test device not
only comes up with extremely extensive
and fully-equipped features. The audi-
ophile requirement also gets one’s mo-
ney more than worth to achieve a sound
quality with re-clocked audio signals that
would not be possible with any other
post-processing means. The processing
of the MC-3+ is above reproach. Its ope-
rating structure’s design is very logical
and practical while the technical func-
tionality is meticulously implemented at
the highest quality level. And finally the
best - its absolutely unbeatable price.
The manufacturer quotes a suggested re-
tail price of 749 Euros including German
tax. Hardly any argument can be urged
against an optimal system clock at this
price level. My personal summary: this
gizmo stays in my studio...
review