streamer need...........

 I found a disappointinly small improvement going from a good $500 streamer to an excellent $4500 streamer.  Not sure there is much to be had going up from there

I respect and appreciate this is your outcome. It does fly counter to what many experienced streamers have reported as they have improved their streamer quality. I wonder what led to your alternative result?

Charles

@carlsbad

Thanks for your comments.

Just to understand, what is your system? There is a place to display it under your UserID. The performace of a streamer is dependent on the rest of your system. So, it would be really helpful to understand the system you are using.

Personally, I have streamed using iPods, iPhones, PCs, MAC laptops (unplugged), as well as streamers from $3K to $22K and in every case higher quality dedicated streamers performed much better than low cost streamers. But of course, it all depends on your entire system.

My system is the Innuos zenith mk 3 streamer to Chord Dave Dac to Decware ZMA 25th anniversary. I focus on a system with great resolution and soundstage.  I know you won't make a decision based on my input.  I'm just a data point.  Best of luck.

Certainly the Grimm If you want to have an as good or hopefully better performance than the present.
I haven’t heard your Burmester or Aurender, hence I add the word ‘hopefully’.

I have not heard the Grimm MU 1. It has developed quite an impressive word of mouth reputation from those familiar with it. Seems to be a legitimate contender in the upper tier of music servers/streamers. 
Charles