May 2024
Live from High End 2024: MUTEC MC1.2+ and BNC cable presented in video
In an interview with Alpha Audio at High End 2024, we talk about the MUTEC MC1.2+ format converter and the PSC 50 and PSC 75 BNC cables.
At the international hi-fi trade fair High End 2024, we had a conversation with Jaap Veenstra, founder of the Dutch online magazine Alpha Audio. In this exclusive interview, Veenstra and Christian Peters, Managing Director of MUTEC, discussed the company's latest products: the bidirectional digital-to-digital format converter MUTEC MC1.2+ and the digital cables PSC 50 and PSC 75.
MUTEC MC1.2+ Digital-to-digital format converter
Jaap Veenstra: Welcome to the High End 2024 in Munich! We are here at the MUTEC stand and I have some components in front of me. We had already been in contact by email beforehand, and now I'm looking forward to talking about the new cables and the new MUTEC MC1.2+. What can you tell me about this unit?
Christian Peters: We already had the digital format converter on offer a few years ago, but had to stop production because a special component designed for us was no longer available. Many customers continued to ask for it, so we decided to redesign it based on the components currently available. In addition, we redesigned the DC power supply inside to reduce noise and improve the audio result. The new version offers higher audio quality and many more conversion modes. We can now also convert between PCM audio formats, which was not possible before. We also have the MUTEC MC1.1+ in our range. Its functions are fully integrated in the MC1.2+, plus the functionality of the USB interface.
Veenstra: That's great. There are connections such as USB, AES, BNC and many more on the back. Would it be possible to connect the MC1.2+ to a MUTEC MC3+ and then clock it externally to achieve an even better result?
Peters: Yes, that should be possible. The main difference between the MUTEC MC3+ USB and the MC1.2+ is that this box is a format converter and does not offer a reclocking stage. However, it must be said that the price is only about half the retail price of the MC3+ USB. So there is a big difference in technology, but also in price between the devices.
MUTEC PSC 50 and PSC 75 digital cable
Veenstra: We know there's a difference in BNC cables, we've tested it, you can hear it. Now you have your own BNC cables with the MUTEC PSC 50 and PSC 75. What can you tell us about them?
Peters: The reason for entering the cable market was that we received many requests for high-quality clock cables due to the very good sales of our 10 MHz reference clocks, the MUTEC REF10, the REF10 SE120 and now the new REF10 NANO We wanted to make sure that our customers get the right cables for their premium REF10 clocks. That's why we developed our own range of cables, the MUTEC PSC 50 and PSC 75. The cable material comes from a German manufacturer and has been extensively tested by us. We can proudly say that the digital cables we offer are the best for our 10 MHz reference clock generators.
The quality of the square wave signals output will not be affected in any way, regardless of the length of the cable. Our 75 ohm cables are specially triple-shielded to isolate interference from the outside. The BNC connectors are also manufactured by Damar & Hagen, who produce 100% in Germany, including the gold plating of the connectors. This was very important to us, as it involves hard gold plating, which has to be carried out with particular care. In addition, the 75 ohm cables are also suitable for transmitting digital audio signals for S/P-DIF, whereby we use Neutrik connectors for the RCA cables.
Veenstra: That sounds absolutely great. I think the most important thing is to know the characteristic impedance, so 75 or 50 ohms. I messed that up in a test and you can hear the difference immediately. The right cable with the right shielding is the next step to take. To the audience: just try it out and you'll hear for yourself that there is a difference and that it's not just ones and zeros running through the equipment. What are the prices for the cables?
Peters: From our point of view, the cables are very reasonably priced. They start at around 150 euros for the shortest cable and end at 220 euros for the 50-ohm version.
Veenstra: Yes, to be honest, that's pretty reasonable. Thank you very much for your time and have fun at the fair.
Peters: Thank you very much for the interview.
The video of the interview
MUTEC product highlights from the High End 2024
MUTEC MC1.2+
The MUTEC MC1.2+ is a versatile USB audio interface that serves as a digital interface and re-clocking device. It supports a wide range of digital audio formats and offers extremely low jitter values for the highest sound quality. The robust design and high-quality components make it the ideal choice for professional studios and demanding hi-fi users.
MUTEC PSC 50
The MUTEC PSC 50 cable series guarantees precise signal transmission with a characteristic impedance of 50 ohms. Specially developed for the transmission of reference clock signals, they are characterized by their triple shielding and oxygen-free copper conductor.
MUTEC PSC 75
The MUTEC PSC 75 cable series offers a characteristic impedance of 75 ohms and is ideal for S/P-DIF and AES3id signals. With triple shielding and gold-plated contacts, they guarantee reliable, loss-free signal transmission. The series includes various lengths and connection combinations.
Further details: