Grimm MU1 Streamer - Really "The Best"?

@sc2, @rockrider

I have not tested N20’s USB or SPDIF outputs when N20 is being slaved to external clock. Since my DAC is a Network Attached DAC, the recommended configuration by the manufacturer is through RAVENNA network. In this configuration, I did hear substantial improvement when N20 slaved to my Merging +clock. So contrary to what Aurender manual says, a direct user experience always carries more weight in my opinion. As I said earlier, in my system adding a master clock was quite a revelation thus prompting me to bring in N30SA / W20SE for audition. For many out there, N20 should suffice. For me, I want to see how far I can push digital by upgrading the streamer and even a better clock down the road (yes, merging makes clocks at 3 performance tiers).

@nyev

I hope you view this conversation as another tool to further enhance the performance of your N20. Having said that, at this point in your journey where you’re still figuring out DAC’s, streamers; you needn’t worry about adding the Master Clock or additional cost associated with it. To answer your earlier question about “in terms of the degree of sonic improvement per dollar spent”, IME a better DAC, Streamer or even Master Clock yields much higher returns on your investment over a fancy Valhalla 2 USB cable. Of course, your rest of the system should be appropriately balanced to take advantage of ultra high performance of upstream components. Cheers!

@lalitk , 100%, I am very interested in all of the avenues we could choose to take with the products that I am choosing to spend some time to experience, even if I’m not planning to charge ahead and follow these paths. You and others on this thread obviously have a lot of knowledge and experience, not only on gear but the approach.

For me my time with the N20 has taught me more about me I think, than about the N20 itself. It taught me where my sonic priorities are, even when other presentations can be very alluring. I know I might “get there” following the path you have charted, but, I want to see which server takes me the furthest without going those extra steps. And to see what the external DAC can do. Not to mention that I prefer a simpler system, lol…

It was @ghasley who convinced me to try a good standalone DAC, as of course, I care about the sound of my system. But, I’m hoping it’s nothing but a learning experience and I get to sell my Merason after my time with it. I will however accept that my digital chain needs to include three boxes, as it is today (with my network switch, server and reclocker as it stands today), if the Merason wins.

I can even see a possible end to this particular journey being that I circle back to Innuos in the end - if I do I will go with the Statement. The difference with my N20 and my current Innuos setup has me wondering if there is some magic happening with my Diablo DAC module and the PhoenixUSB reclocker (which the Statement includes). Hoping when it arrives the MU1 will either confirm this, or it will be the one I prefer, but either way ideally without the Merason!

That said, I want to give the Merason the best chance I can. What are people using for XLR interconnects at this level?

@nyev

Others may differ but I would suggest using reasonable XLR interconnects but to not go crazy. If you read up on the XLR standard, the standard was developed to minimize cable differences. I’ve had alot of good ones...did I hear differences between Mogami and Blue Jeans? No. Did I hear differences between Kimber and Transparent Ultra? Well....maybe? In other words, there may be some differences but certainly not enough (IMO) to merit a XLR interconnect cable quest at this stage of the game. If you have a pair of XLR interconnects, try those first.

RE: the Merason Dac1. I hope you enjoy it. Its a fine dac that punches well above its weight class. With that said, at its new retail price, it is a fair value for the money but no longer the "deal" that it was previously. This exercise will tell you where your Gryphon dac falls in a two dac shootout. What would be awesome, of course, would be if your Gryphon is preferable to the Merason. That would keep your goal of a two box, high performance setup in play.

@adasdad picking up on this response here from you

To me it just doesn’t make sense to put a $10K streamer in front of a $4,500 DAC.

I put the Grimm in front of a comparatively low cost Metrum Octave v2 DAC and even this lowly DAC sounded far better with the Grimm at the helm.

Having such a solid front end like the Grimm helps you find the best from any DAC you may have in your collection - and in fact will also help you choose and audition any new potential DACs you may want to buy, with the Grimm allowing you to hear them at their very best.

So starting with the Grimm and simply using an Octave DAC (as an example) until you can afford better makes for good foundations in choosing the right DAC further down the line. When you audition these DACs you can be sure you have no upstream bottleneck putting a throttle on the full potential of your new converter.

“When you audition these DACs you can be sure you have no upstream bottleneck putting a throttle on the full potential of your new converter.”

+1, @chopandchange

Exactly! You can always explore better converter at later date. That’s one thing I always enjoyed and appreciated about Aurender streamers.