Hello everyone,
As a long-time supporter of the sound of the Myryad z20 converter based on the Cirrus Logic CS4398-CZZ system and the desire to use the balanced path (XLR),
I purchased the M300SE for testing.
Some tips:
The USB cable in the box is just a power cable!
In my opinion, the manufacturer marked the USB-C inputs incorrectly: Aux /Power = Power, and Power = USB-IN.
We must use power supply - a powerbank, e.g. (TP-Link TL-PB10400, Tracer TRABAT47064)
In my case, I liked the LaCie drive cables the most (both USB-C ->C and USB-A ->C), no other cable provided
such great quality at the USB-IN input, both from the phone and from the Intel NUC server, what's more, the best quality
I achieved this without additional power supply at the Aux/Power input.
The finally selected filter was FL3 (the smoothest, full and calmed sound, which is natural and perfectly suited to my musical climate) and, of course, the fixed mode.
This filter is also the closest to the Myryad z20 sound reference.
Tested in many configurations on Flac, Tidal (HiRes, MQA) files from the USB Audio player, Squeezer and Wiim applications:
1.USB transport - Huawei P30pro
2.USB Transport - Intel NUC N3060 (Daphile)
3. spdif transport - Mozos HD (Aptx-HD)
4.Coax transport -Wiim Pro Plus powered by a powerbank
Wiim Pro Plus (I'm only reviewing the stream) is a great device for most people, offering a whole lot of possibilities, but it can't beat the Intel NUC on Daphile, it plays noticeably digitally (thinly) over coax or Spdif.
You can get a slightly better message by omitting the Wiim application and using Wiim as UPnP.
Both Myryad and SMSL transducers gave the same results when receiving a signal from Wiim to LAN.
Wiim had to return to the seller :=(
Focusing on the Intel NUC by Daphil transport and making direct comparisons, switching only the input on the SMSL amplifier, it surprised me very positively, it is very close to Myryad, the black background is on both, it's amazing how the sounds
they come out of nowhere. The z20 has a slightly better transfer of vocals and a more analog sound with a slightly larger bass backing, but SMSL gives a feeling of better - slightly greater dynamics and spaciousness.
It's surprising that the Goldenote doesn't play louder on XLR vs RCA, but maybe that's because the Myryad outputs 2.4 Vrms.
So, while searching for optimal solutions, I achieved an amazing value for money effect.
I will leave it in the system, after all, the amplifier works in full balance (XLR) and also provides MQA.
However, when I turn on Myryad z20, I have the impression that the turntable is playing, which provides the best feeling in the audio system.
My system: Harmonizer Nordost QV2, Audiograde conditioner, USB transport - Intel NUC N3060 (Daphile),
Myryad z20, RCA PSB Basic Gold PB, Goldenote Signature S1 dual mono single ended (XLR), ELAC BS 244.3 HG on Mission stand
and of course there will be S.M.S.L M300SE.
Intel NUC powered by a 12V -1.5A transformer (linear - stabilized)