Thanks @arafiq, very interesting. I don’t know about the Zeno filter but have you every tried the Zenith with the PhoenixUSB? It’s really an entirely different experience than the Zenith on its own. Depending on the DAC used of course.
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...
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I should mention I agree that the Innuos gear, with or without the PhoenixUSB, is not a sound I would consider to be organic leaning. But, it’s certainly not analytical or dry either. Again, the DAC used can obviously change all of this; my comparison and reference point is a different server (the N20) connected to the same DAC (Gryphon Diablo module). |
I was actually all set to purchase the PhoenixUSB but another audiogon member advised me to get the SR Purple fuse instead. He had tried the PhoenixUSB and didn't think it added much. So he sold it and bought the Purple fuse instead. Having said that, these things are so system dependent. It might have worked wonders in my system but I was quite happy with the Zenith + SR Purple fuse + Network Acoustics Eno filter trio, so never thought of buying the Phoenix. BTW, I still maintain that the DAC module in your Gryphon is top class. I think you will have to get something at least $10K or more to better it. Just my opinion based on hearing the Gryphon Diablo 300 a couple of years ago. |
@arafiq , interesting. Still planning to try the purple fuse - will order this week. Yes I’ve heard that for some the PhoenixUSB doesn’t add much. The fact that the PhoenixUSB does actually help I suppose implies that the Diablo DAC module is lesser than the DACs where the PhoenixUSB makes no difference. Not sure if this is the right way to think about it, but I’ve seen that argument in forums before. And I’ve seen some people claim it also helps when paired with some of the Uber-DACs. I would really love it if the Grimm does everything and just a bit more, in one box, with my Diablo DAC module. If it did, I’d be tempted to stop there. But because of this thread, I’ve promised myself just to try a stand-alone DAC. I know know a lot more about my Innuos setup thanks to the N20. Likewise, trying against another DAC would offer insight into my Diablo 300 DAC module. Back to the Grimm, my fear (too strong of a word) is that the AES interface won’t perform well with my Diablo DAC module. Or at least not as well as it should. The reason being, that there was really zero difference between the Aurender N20’s USB and AES interfaces when they should really have sounded different. Something seems funny there, and leads me to wonder if it’s the Diablo DAC’s AES interface that is limiting things. |
It's been quite painful reading your almost daily musings, but like a blind squirrel, I guess you'll eventually find a nut. There are many things that are non-negotiable if you want the best SQ and those things include: Use SR Purple fuses or better in all your gear. Disable the +ve wire in your USB cable. I know you don't want to get it sticky..lol You are running a three legged horse if you don't get a Masterclock for the N20. I know you only want one box...tough Plug your 300W amp into the wall. Use a Hurricane to feed the Torus and a Dragon to feed the N20 / Innous Glad to see you're getting a separate DAC Please don't reply just try these things and you will see they all work. |
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