McIntosh MR88 and Wyred 4 Sound Remedy

[jdandy]

I had the Wyred 4 Sound Remedy installed in the optical connection between my McIntosh MS750 music server and Esoteric K-03 DAC in the living room system. Since the MS750 and K-03 have been sold as I downsize the living room system, I decided to redeploy the W4S Remedy into the optical output between my McIntosh MR88 and the Esoteric K-03 in the studio system. I listen to my MR88 through its digital output to the K-03 DAC. It sounds better to me than the analog output. The sound quality on a clean FM signal is very good. Last night I installed the Remedy reclocker between the MR88 and the K-03 using two Wireworld Super Nova Toslink glass fiber optic cables. The MR88 tuner normally outputs a 48kHz digital signal. The Remedy reclocker upsamples that output to 96kHz utilizing a Femto-grade clock, a digital reclocking device that removes digital errors and reduces jitter.

I tune in four different FM stations on a regular basis, and two of them are where I usually spend the most listening time, 94.3 MHz (The Mix) and 100.5 MHz (The Buzz). Both stations are received with good signal strength using a Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM antenna mounted 28 feet above ground outside. I enjoy quality sound with decent sound stage on both stations. After installing the W4S Remedy between the MR88 tuner and the K-03 DAC I was pleased to immediately notice an improvement. Overall there is a clearer focus to the sound and bass gained weight. Left and right channels appear more separated with a stronger sense of presence in the center of the sound stage. Even the voices of show hosts have greater tonal clarity.

I already knew the Remedy reclocker was remarkable. It easily improved the performance of the MS750 but I wasn't positive it would improve my FM radio performance. Sure enough, this cool little black box with the blue lighted logo on top has enhanced my FM radio experience. I am quite pleased with what I am hearing and enjoy the improved clarity, weight, and wider sound stage. Anyone with a McIntosh MR87 or MR88 tuner, as well as any other FM tuner that offers a digital output, give the Wyred 4 Sound Remedy reclocker a try. I'm betting you will leave the Remedy in the digital signal path. My Remedy's redeployment is a total success.

[Levitator]

Nice write up Dan, as always...out of interest, do you use a Remedy between your Aurenderand K-03, and if so what connections?

[tweet]

Dan,
Nice move. I have a W4S Remedy between my MR88 and MCD1100 with two Wireworld Super Nova Toslink glass fiber optic cables. I've had the MR88 playing since early this morning. I like it so well that I decided to drop Tidal and spend the money building my music collection. The MR88 and W4S Remedy is a fantastic combination.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Levitator

Nice write up Dan, as always...out of interest, do you use a Remedy between your Aurender and K-03, and if so what connections?

Jamie.......No, I would not put the Remedy between my Aurender N10 and the K-03 DAC. For one thing, sample rates above 96kHz are downsampled to 96kHz. The second thing is the oven controlled crystal oscillator in the N10 is far and away more accurate than the Femto grade clock in the Remedy. That is not a slam on the Remedy, just a fact.

To answer you connection question, were I to install the Remedy between the N10 and the K-03 I would use the coaxial connection. That will never happen in my case, just answering your question.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by tweet

Dan,
Nice move. I have a W4S Remedy between my MR88 and MCD1100 with two Wireworld Super Nova Toslink glass fiber optic cables. I've had the MR88 playing since early this morning. I like it so well that I decided to drop Tidal and spend the money building my music collection. The MR88 and W4S Remedy is a fantastic combination.

Terry.......Glad to know you are enjoying the MR88 and the W4S Remedy together. I have been listening to FM radio for over two hours this evening and enjoying it very much. I'm glad to know others have made the same discovery.

[Masterlu]

Dan... I use a Remedy with my MR88 also.

[jdandy]

Ivan.......I guess I'm late to the party. .

[jameslrock]

Dan: I have been enjoying for the last year the same set up you now have and I have had the same results. Whenever we listen to FM, HD, or Sirius we always use digital through the Remedy to the K-03x. I have also added the W4S PS1 power supply which I believe completes the chain. Nice write up. Jim

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by jameslrock

Dan: I have been enjoying for the last year the same set up you now have and I have had the same results. Whenever we listen to FM, HD, or Sirius we always use digital through the Remedy to the K-03x. I have also added the W4S PS1 power supply which I believe completes the chain. Nice write up. Jim

Jim.......Now that I am hearing from everyone I remember reading about this setup. Normally I am not this slow. At least I finally got here. I'm still in the studio listening to FM radio. Quite an improvement.

[Maks]

Good writeup, however I had the exact opposite result in my system after A/Bing. Per McIntosh the MR88's tuner chip outputs an analog signal, if you're using the digital outs it's going through an ADC, then back through whatever DAC you use. For me the best sound was balanced out into my C2300. But obviously YMMV. Either way it's a great tuner, I've been listening to mine for the last 2 hours so far tonight.