Grimm MU1/Mola Mola Tambaqui combo vs. Grimm MU2


Here is a great video discussing the very popular question of which is better:  the Grimm MU1 streamer with the Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC or the Grimm MU2 with built-in DAC?

 

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He concluded that the Grimm MU2 is very good and a winner for the price.  Given a high-resolution system, the Grimm MU1 with a Mola Mola Tambaqui is clearly better.  Both are extraordinary values, but the separates in this case are simply better (MU1/Tambaqui).  

Sounds about right to me.  I have an MU1 and a Lampizator GG3.  Haven't listened to the MU2.

 

Other reviewers don’t share his opinion. He sells both lines, why would he tell current and potential customers that the cheaper option sounds better? He left out the fact that the MU2 has a preamp section and doubles as a Roon Core and Endpoint.

It's a an interesting back and forth, but I see it as two potential forms of bias. 

1. This guy will argue on behalf of anything that costs more, because he makes more. Simple and obvious.

2. Reviewers always rave about everything, and this eternal product optimism is their nature, because positivity moves units and keeps them in the good graces of the industry. This too simple and obvious.

Now not to go too far into it, but I do know some professional reviewers on a more casual basis and even though this item (MU2) falls outside of their typical price and functional capacity likings. Meaning they typical don't advocate product's in this price range, and they more often then not advocate for separate systems out of reasons for tailoring and personalization, they all unanimously and unequivocally love the MU2 and say that it's better then more expensive separate systems.

I'm gonna have to do some deep soul searching and hope to get an audition of a MU2, because my Innuos Statement, Tambaqui, possibly my Yamaha C-5000 may just have found a replacement should the reviewers be correct in their assertion.

I'm kinda skeptical. I like my system, and still have questions, and am somewhat Roon-phobic, but we'll see.

Probably will take me 6 months to a year to sort all this out.

A couple of points here.  I know Bill and he is usually spot on with respect to how things sound.  He states the MU2 is excellent.  His point about the MU1 and separate Tambaqui is that if you use excellent power cables and interconnects, the separates are better.  True, the MU2 also has volume control, but in his world, he is using an amazing preamp which is better again.  So for price and one box convenience, go with the MU2.  For absolute best sound, go with the separates and use good cables.  BTW @jjgasp, both the MU1 and the MU2 serve as Roon core and Roon endpoint.