Grimm MU1 Streamer - Really "The Best"?
I've recently become interested in the Grimm MU1. While reviews of top end players from Innuos, Aurender and Antipodes and others are typically all very positive, the tone of the many pro reviews of the Grimm MU1 go far, far beyond, with some reviews resorting to using superlatives and gushing of positive system transformation and not being able to stop listening to material, etc.. HiFi Advice and Steve Huff (actually calls it "magic") have such reviews.
Given the delay in availability of the Innuos Pulsar which I'm told will be better than my current Zenith Mk3 + PhoenixUSB reclocker, I am interested in replacing my streaming setup with a one-box solution that includes a high-precision clock. The new streamer will continue to feed my Gryphon Diablo 300's DAC module, which I have no interest in replacing.
I'm actually a fan of Innuos, after they improved the sound of my Zenith with firmware updates and after I added their PhoenixUSB reclocker. I appreciate this commitment to improving sound quality which is why I was so interested in the Pulsar.
The trigger for considering an upgrade is not for improved sound, but rather, to solve some issues I have with too many Audioquest power cords coiled and clumped together. I will get to lose one of them and one of my USB cords with a one-box streamer. I've noticed my sound is very sensitive to positioning of my AC cords and find I often need to re-adjust the PC feeding my amp to get proper sounding vocals at center stage. One of my subs also seems to be picking up AC noise when the crossover is set above 60Hz. The second trigger is simply system simplification, removing one box. All that said I don't really have any complaints regarding sound, and the PhoenixUSB reclocker truly did improve the sound of my Zenith.
While the Grimm MU1 has it's 4X upsampling up it's sleeve with reviewers absolutely glowing over this feature and it's extreme ability to separate tones to the left, right, front, and back far better than the rest, I don't see that Grimm has gone to any lengths with regard to power supply management in the way other brands do including Innuos. The MU1's ultra-simplistic interior doesn't bug me, but the lack of transformers and power management makes me wonder....
Are there any updates from folks who have directly compared the MU1 vs similarly classed streamers from the competition? Did you find it to be as revelatory as the pro reviewers found it? And, how does it compare to other streamers with it's 4X upsampling disabled? Does it sound like it suffers from it's lack of power management? I do see that the clock should be very good...
Interesting you choose the Oyaide R1 receptacles. When Chris built mine he offered these as an upgrade option and I chose them. This was in 2008. Now 2023 and still no chance my system will be without it. Excellent audio products are really able to withstand the test of time. Charles |
Isolation transformers are are beastly. Mine weighs 88 pounds. One issue I’ve had is that I found that each outlet on it sounds slightly different. Center vocals are the most noticeable variance between receptacles, with the vocals becoming narrower/sharper and more forward or wider and more recessed. Both extremes don’t sound natural, and a few receptacles are just right. Recently went through experimentation to determine the best configuration of what gets plugged where. Before I realized this, I was a devout “plug your amp direct into the wall” disciple. But I realized that the outlet I had been using on the Torus when plugging the amp in was not the best. Found a better sounding receptacle and now have everything going through the Torus. One of the few weird “gremlins” I’ve experienced in my system. |
So….. based on my results so far, which server should I look to next - the K50 or the MU1? Tonally rich, dense, immersive, smooth, organic and immediate (K50) or neutral, precise, transparent and “incisive” (MU1)? Please don’t think I’m turning my attention from the N20; I’m not for a few weeks yet! But starting to wonder which to line up next. Considering just buying new from a dealer who can offer considerable discounts, particularly on the K50. The challenge trying to get demos from US dealers is that I’m in Canada. Tricky dealing with import duty etc. And if buying from the US I’ll be charged an unknown amount of import duty which can be massive. You guys down south have more options! Also, I’ve at least at this point written Innuos off, because I’m not about to buy the Statement Next Gen, and I’ve read many accounts that the Statement is really close to what I have now with my current Innuos setup. Meaning it’s doubtful it will address the few nits I’m trying to address. Like I said, my current thinking, which could change. |
Try the K50 next. Even though I’m a Grimm MU1 owner, a very happy one I might add, I’m running the Grimm into an external dac. As long as the Gryphon inboard dac is your dac of choice, you should consider server/streamers which allow for aes/ebu or USB outputs. That way you can do as you’ve done with the N20 and compare multiple inputs into your dac to determine the optimal input match.
You are already down the rabbit hole and you appear to be reading alot of commentary, which can be fuel to the fire of over-analyzing without knowing if what you are reading is truly applicable to your circumstances. Additionally, you seem concerned about duties etc which, while I understand the thought, I dont understand the logic….duties are peanuts when evaluating whether or not you can arrive at a solution with which you can be happy for the long run. Another option for you could also be to keep your Zenith, sell the Phoenix and get your hands on the Pulsar. For very little money (net) you gain the multiple outputs(aes/spdif/usb). Ive been told by a reviewer friend that it is an amazing performer for the $$$ with a warm, enveloping presentation. How would that perform with your Gryphon dac? One way to find out is to listen and you are already familiar with the form factor and the ease of being able to try it. The Pulsar is likely what you are after but its usb only.
If you are indeed committed to your inboard Gryphon dac and the two box footprint(streamer/server and Diablo/dac), then your limiting factor will be the Gryphon dac. Embrace the reality rather than spend $20k US on a server/streamer only to achieve something “a little different”. |
I do like the idea of changing out dac, but it seems dac delivers things he likes, just not with one streamer.
The fact so many happy with both Innuos and Aurender servers under review here makes me want to think issue is elsewhere. I suppose the only thing we all can offer is the things we'd do if in same position. Since I'm diy and modifier, whenever I have these dilemmas I tune by changing out capacitors, resistors, internal wiring, cabling, etc. If the components are close to delivering, these things can offer a solution.
@charles1dad I wasn't aware Chris offered the R1. In any case the R1 is my max resolving outlet, the PorterPorts which were Albert Porter's modified, I think Hubbels, are for added warmth.
@nyev As mentioned previously, I'd go with K50 next, guess I'm biased as this was going to be my streamer of choice.
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