Grimm MU1 Streamer - Really "The Best"?

@nyev 

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.

@ghasley 

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. 

I thought that the “Pulsar “ was not finalized and still a work in progress. I know that the Pulse Mini and the Pulse network players are now available,

Charles

@charles1dad indeed, the Pulsar is a 2023-Q2 introduction. I brought it up only in the context that @nyev was seeking maximum performance.

The OP has chosen a path, one that I’m not so sure many would embark upon, but it’s his path. I joke about it with a dealer friend quite often. He keeps describing what I might (or might not) get by moving to the next level of amplification for my setup and I kindof think I’m where I need to be given the absolute realities of a domestic environment. Many of us are willing to chase the last bit of performance but I also recognize that I am certainly capable of chasing something beyond what could be considered reasonable. Based on this thread, the OP may be getting close to “beyond reasonable”. In fact, the Zenith by itself is likely not a bad match with the Gryphon dac board. Anything beyond that could be viewed by many as an imbalance of committed resources. I’d rather spend $10k on a server/streamer and $10k on a complimentary dac than a heavy spend on the server/stremer to feed the Gryphon dac board but that’s me. The OP set a goal and I hope he finds happiness. 

I do find it puzzling that the OP and his communicated impressions of the Innuos setup vs the N20 setup. I dont recall the OP’s speakers or whether he has an optimized room but the sound he describes from those two setups is inconsistent with my experience…his ears, his room, his goals right?

I too was told by Innuos that the Pulsar was not finalized due to parts shortages. In late December Nuno Vitorino said that there was no launch date and that it would be a long time in the future. I wonder if they had to redesign the unit around more available parts like Antipodes did. @ghasley , maybe your reviewer friend had a pre-production sample? Also, unlike past Innuos devices the Pulsar does have have a AES output. Yes, I agree it is a very interesting product! But would require me to keep my Zenith as you said, if I wanted to keep server capabilities and I do.

Also @ghasley , again you guys in the US are lucky with lower taxes and duties - FAR lower - than us Canadians. Depending on the item we can be charged 25% of the value of the item when it shows up at the door! And you’ll never know exactly how much it will be when it shows up. This is the reason many dealers won’t ship demos to Canada.

It’s true I can fall into an over analysis pattern when going down an audiophile rabbit hole. It’s happened with cabling. In some cases it can be stressful because I’m not entirely sure I trust myself with the extremely subtle differences I’m hearing. But so far in this case that’s not happened, and it most certainly isn’t stressful! It’s been eye-opening in the best possible way. The reason why: the differences between my N20 and Innuos gear are blatantly obvious! Two totally unique presentations. It’s when I’m in a situation where I’m splitting hairs that things can get dicey, and that’s not needed in this journey - so far at least!

After 2.5 days of run-time on AES, so far there is STILL absolutely zero difference between AES and USB that I can hear. Speaking of reading up in advance, I was looking forward to some benefits here hopefully, but nope. Everything still sounds very good though!

I was thinking last night that I’d enjoy the N20 if it was my only choice and I had to keep it forever. I’d also be consistently be aware of the missing top end transparency and air, but despite that it simply connects with music better than the Innuos for me. For the record - I hadn’t read any of these traits in advance of noticing! :). And yes, I’ve absolutely read up extensively on the MU1 and the K50. When researching I tend to discount one-off comments, but when you hear a small army saying the same things, I do pay attention then. Knowing that I still could be the odd one out due to my system or tastes!