New DAC! Meitner MA3, Denafrips Terminator Plus, Holo May KTE, Mola Mola Tambaqui

@ja_kub_sz , Hello!  I read with interest you comment on MMT output voltages.

And I have run into a few DAC related voltage output issues that I’ve had to troubleshoot over the years to avoid clipping.

My Tambaqui is connected to my Audionet Stern Preamp with single ended (prefered) (RCA) cables.  On a very few recordings, that in the words of my dealer, are 'very hot' I get clipping or distortion while using the 6v output.  Certainly different preamps or integrateds synergise with different output voltages.  So I can change it to 2v output, right in the Mola Mola app.  This eliminates the distortion on 'hot' recordings.  But, it does not sound as good generally.  So I learned this easy adjustment from Bill at GTT: in the app set Volume Offset (I use direct) to -2.  This allows me to maintain the higher output voltage and get no clipping with better sound.

@fastfreight wow! Some very good info! Gonna give it a try! 

@chauncey I use Roon through a Aries g2.1. I auditioned a number of streamers including the 3 you’ve listed. Thought the N200 and Aries G2.1 were even in sound quality but went with the Aries because it’s Roon-Ready and operates well via Wi-Fi (my listening room doesn’t have an Ethernet port). Earlier, a poster suggested looking at a Bricasti with network card. If I was in the market for a DAC, I’d give that a strong look. Happy hunting!

Hi @brewerslaw ​​​​@chauncey !  I use Roon and had a Nucleus+ in my computer room.  I have the Mola Mola Tambaqui and was looking for a streamer to up the game.  I was told "you have a Ferrari for a DAC and are feeding it cheap gas" !

I ended up with a wired Aries G2.1.  Definite improvement.  Then I modded it with a Sean Jacobs AR6 power supply. Expensive and requires internal conversion of the Aries.  It sounded amazing.  But my wired Aries G2.1 was very finicky.  I have good internet, 1G service, 1G switch and throughputs etc. If I left it for any time (overnight) it would be locked up and a PAIN to restart.

So when I learned about the Grimm MU1 I jumped on it before the price went up.  It runs Roon Core so it replaced my Nucleus +, It's power supply and a power cable. It is also an amazing streamer, especially for the non DSD stuff.  It does DSD, it just is amazing on the 44 to 196 stuff.  Special.  AES to my DAC.  I think it is a real value, rivaling the N20 and besting most other servers.   And it runs Roon Core without issue.  And nobody talks of changing the power supply as in other streamers.  No wifi though... You need to hear the Grimm.  

@fastfreight So I was mistaken... My MMT only clips at 6v, 2v is fine and 0.6v also.

I do appreciate the volume adjustment help. Do you think it would be of benefit to run that MMT at 6v and reduce the volume to avoid clipping? I'm just kind of puzzled by all of the voltage output difference.

Is the ideal setting one that outputs the highest volts without clipping?

If I run the MMT at 2v there is no clipping regardless of volume, but there could be room to spare?

Based on the variable voltage output of the T+A 200, I would estimate my clipping threshold to be around 4v (0-5v XLR variable output). Direct is at 5v and clips at all volumes, but running variable at 85-90% volume doesn't (4v est).