Marco Manunta has been a recognised class leader in USB implementation, for over 15 years. Which is why a number of mnfrs, have incorporated his designs, in their own products. USB was never intended for Digital Audio – which is also why, AES/EBU, BNC and now I2S, are often preferred connections in upper-echelon Audio.

“With the Manunta Evo DDC 3 in place, even though the acoustics are not yet 100% perfected, the Genelecs are now challenging my Magico S1 MkII Speakers in the main listening room in certain aspects, such as Bass precision, linearity & Transient behaviour. But even when using SAM, the Genelecs did not fully impress until they were driven by the Evo DDC 3”.

https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/digital-reviews/digital-interface-reviews/manunta-audio-evo-ddc-3-usb-to-digital-converter/

Next level … Mr. 6 Moons :

“It’s why all three of my HiFi's use a Bridge not direct connection between PC/Server and DAC. I’ve not yet come across a DAC which didn’t benefit from an intermediary DDC”.

The DDC3.1 can be further upgraded with a dedicated PSU + an upgraded Clocking Board is also available.

Synergy (opinion only) :

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/m2tech-young-mkiv-review.1211627/

A parameter that can vary from one DAC to another, is the maximum Master Clock accepted (I2S connection). While the DDC 3 provides up to 49.152MHz Master with 48kHz-based files and 45.1584MHz with 44.1kHz based (and DSD files), it might happen that the DAC used with it, only accepts up to 24.576MHz and 22.5792MHz respectively. When that’s the case, the Evo can be set to divide the Master Clock output on the I2S connection by 2.

Only DDC3 for sale here.

HFA also utilise the EVO Phono 3 (& M2Tech Nash) in their Vinyl Reference Systems.

Critical Sound : Manunta Audio/M2Tech NZ