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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...

 

 

nyev
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cleeds
5,657 posts
 

lordmelton

What grates my posterior is those two clowns Coco and Bungle recommend and endorse a DAC to you that doesn't do 176 Khz.

Perhaps in time your anger will subside. Meanwhile, many audiophiles enjoy DACs that won't do 176 kHz. Some are even happy at 96 kHz, and will recommend them accordingly. Then there are those who use NOS DACs. That's an approach I've never understood, but it works for quite a few.

For me, that's part of what makes our audio pursuit interesting - there is no One Way. Some insist that there is only One Correct Way and as @lordmelton reveals, most of them get frustrated quite quickly and for some it rises to anger. 

The thread about underhung arms suffers the same problem - the concept angers a few and the fact that they've never seen or heard one makes no difference at all!

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,076 posts
 

@nyev

Catching up on your musings…LOL! I see you’ve sold N20 and enjoying Merason DAC1. Personally, I wouldn’t have sold N20 until I’ve found the DAC that checks all the boxes. It’s all good, this is your journey. Just have fun and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. As long as you’re not giving away your kidney to afford your musings, you’ll be fine :-)

The Merason DAC1 is a fine performer. The NOS DACs are known to have more natural presentation. The highs tend to be smoother and clearer, and the entire presentation is more analog like which is what most of us strive for and hope from our digital gear. Some folks may see these purpose built DAC’s as compromising or lacking in features but they focus on one thing, and do it well rather than try to be all things to everyone. Streaming resolution maxes out at 24bit/192kHz so you’re A-Ok with DAC1 and Gryphon onboard DAC’s. When you get your MU1, be sure to use a good AES cable between MU1 and DAC1 / Gryphon and you will realize full potential of all components as intended by their respective designers. Follow @ghasley lead on all things with MU1 to achieve best outcome before considering another streamer or DAC options.

Be patient with the process and keep it coming!

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,599 posts
 

@lalitk 

Some folks may see these purpose built DAC’s as compromising or lacking in features but they focus on one thing, and do it well rather than try to be all things to everyone.

As usual, lalitk hits the nail on the head. Good and sensible advice.

nyev OP
1,023 posts
 

+1 @arafiq and @lalitk!

I know moving on from the N20 was a bit premature, but while I had planned to have the cash “locked up” in my demo gear until I was through testing, I had a buyer approach me, and I know how long gear can be listed even at fair market value.  In short, I am rather fond of BOTH of my kidneys, lol!

pokey77
1,260 posts
 

@arafiq 

@lalitk 

 

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