April 2024
REF10 NANO: Review @ 6moons
The prestigious online magazine www.6moons.com has published a REF10 NANO review. Author Nick Mavridis confirmed the positive influence of the 10 MHz reference master clock from MUTEC on the sound quality of various digital audio setups.
Mavridis was focussing on the NANO in a professional studio environment. The 10-MHz-master clock was assisted by an MUTEC MC3+ USB interface to integrate various device constellations via word clock. Depending on the quality of the internal clock of the audio interfaces used, the improvements made by the MUTEC devices ranged from clearly audible to highly dramatic. As an example, a MotU 896mk3:
This [device] acquired a new lease on life as soon as the MUTEC MC3+ USB imposed its clock signal. This significantly broadened and deepened the soundstage and generated greater image focus which was impressive with symphonic orchestra or church organ. The treble too responded positively by appearing a lot more transparent and clear during impulses. (...)
The real difference maker was NANO. I didn't expect the delta between the already high-quality clock of the MC3+ USB and NANO's 10MHz clock to be this noticeable. In fact, things seemed to take a big step forward in music. The phantom centre between the speakers appeared even more clearly tangible and recorded reflections more cleanly separated from their images.
Nick Mavridis' experience with the REF10 NANO in pro audio applications also allows him to draw conclusions about its performance in a hi-fi system:
In fact, external clocking in the home can achieve much more than a final touch. The improvements can be downright substantial. I would like to say that a good stable clock can do more than any cable.
His conclusion from working with the MUTEC REF10 NANO is clear:
With this clock, MUTEC produce a reference device made in Germany then charge anything but a ludicrous price for it. If one of your digital devices has no 10MHz input, I recommend the combination with the MUTEC MC3+ USB. I actually like to avoid the term but it probably fits here: these MUTEC clocks are secret weapons on the path to audio system optimization and the perfect sound.
Further comments by other users