Grimm MU1 Streamer - Really "The Best"?

@ghasley I have to thank you for convincing me to try an outboard DAC and suggesting the Merason DAC1.

My DAC1 arrived a bit early. I’ve quicky unpacked it and connected it using the very basic cables I have on hand. The unit is really in mint condition. With my Innuos gear, I can confirm the sound is very enjoyable and natural. The reviews I think are largely accurate. It is a hair less resolving than my amp’s DAC module, but it more relaxed, easy going, and less “wound up”. In comparison my amp’s DAC module has a tension to it that makes it less relaxing. Vocals and all sounds are bigger and less pinpointed/edgy than with my Gryphon DAC module. Vocals are also properly presented boldly and up front instead of being set too far back in the mix and made to be smaller when using my Gryphon DAC. Another quality I was unsure whether my Innuos gear or my Gryphon DAC was responsible for, until now. Now I know! I think my Gryphon DAC has a touch more of a full and bigger bass sound. I’m also noticing the slight smoothness of sound that many of the reviews mention. The highs are not rolled off at all, rather, upper mids are just easier going. Snare drums hit with clarity and crispness but they don’t jump out like a gunshot anymore when the volume is cranked. All of this makes for a very easygoing but engaging listen without resorting to a closed in sound.

The DAC1 is cold still from being delivered - it’s 41F outside now. Between that the basic Audioquest RCA interconnects (bought for $500 25 years ago), I think it’s likely I’ll get some better transparency once it warms up and once my fancy Shunyata cables arrive. And, I can always upgrade to the Mk2.

Just my very early and preliminary impressions. An interesting thing is, like when I had the Aurender N20, the DAC1 seems to address my nits with the Innuos setup. Or more accurately would be to say my nits with my Gryphon DAC module now that I know. The question is, whether I could get the degree of bass and transparency to be happy with it. Between warmup, replacing my basic RCA cables with the new balanced cables, and a possible upgrade to the MK2 version, I can see myself getting there potentially. Not to mention the introduction of the MU1 in a few weeks. With the Shunyata Omega AES. Fun times….

Update: by the end of this long post I am already hearing greater transparency one one song I had first played about an hour ago.

Update2:  Just realized the MU1 had better beat my Innuos gear.  Otherwise I’m at +1 boxes with an outboard DAC, regardless of whether I were to stick with my current Innuos gear or go with the Statement! Pulsar is an option I suppose but I do now value having a server…

I know it is far too early to be listening this critically. But you know how it goes, new toy and all…

I went back to the Gryphon Diablo DAC module for a bit. I realized that what I perceived to be more bass MAY be actually due to the Gryphon DAC being warmer leaning, with a more bottom-up presentation. I believe the Merason may be more neutral leaning, aside from the gentleness in the upper mids. I think it may have been in the Pursuit of the Perfect System review where the guy mentioned he thought the Diablo 300 was actually quite neutral and that the warmth people attribute to it is actually coming from the DAC and not the amp. I am thinking I might be agreeing with this now!

The Gryphon DAC is still better with detail resolution and spatial presentation, but as I mentioned, everything is just smaller, narrower and more delicate. Something I incorrectly attributed to Innuos above in this thread. My sincerest apologies Innuos! Things are more confident, coherent and “in the room” with the Merason. I know it may sound like I was saying about the Aurender N20. But the difference is with the Merason the sound is far more is wide open and I’m not missing any top end frequencies at all, as I was when the N20 was in my system.

@nyev 

Greetings. I wouldn’t listen too critically to the Merason until you get proper interconnects. Output from the balanced Merason outputs doubles up to 3v. The 1.5v output from the rca outputs combined with your “classic” Audioquest interconnects is a “thing”.

Again, be patient, take good notes. The Merason Dac1 is very good and after its been left on 24/7 it will improve…but it isn’t end game…this is really more of an experiment for you of what a solid performing, stand alone dac can bring to the table vs your inboard Gryphon dac. From its balanced outputs the sound will change considerably. Good luck.

Thanks @ghasley. I know the Merason isn’t end game, especially considering how comparatively inexpensive it is. Regardless of how it sounds now, I’m learning things about my Gryphon DAC module. People have said it’s got a little warmth but I now think that is a big understatement. The entire bottom end and mid bass has quite a lot of warmth, and it’s very detailed at the same time. I think that boosted lower frequencies is the reason I’ve felt the mids and vocals are recessed and overly delicate and small. I think it’s causing the midrange tension I spoke of. This is what happens when you boost lower frequency tone controls, the mids can become a bit pinched off. So what I am hearing with the Merason is I think mostly my ears adjusting to a more neutral presentation, where the midrange is more prominent and open. Have to say I like the coloration of then Gryphon DAC though - it is a pleasing tonal balance. But I think there are trade offs with the more constrained mids. It will be interesting to see if I can adjust and be comfortable with the more neutral presentation in the end. I hope so, and I think it’s possible.

Your reaction to Merason sounds similar to when you got the Aurender. 
Just sayin’ … 😃