Grimm MU1/Mola Mola Tambaqui combo vs. Grimm MU2

The MU2 is a streamer DAC combo.  It also has built in Roon Core and upscaling.

MU1 is streamer only.  It has the Roon core and upscaling, but no DAC.

Both have optional onboard storage for your library.

I use the MU1 and an external DAC.  I do prefer seperates.  I don't want my DAC attached to my streamer in case I want to change one or the other.  that said, there can be some advantages to designing the DAC/Streamer to maximize snyergy, avoid the need for a second set of support equipment (poer supplies, cables, etc).

I've heard nothing but good about the MU2.  In fact I bought my MU1 from a guy who was one of the first buyers of the MU2 over a year ago.

Jerry

The MU2 also has an analog preamp built in as well as a streamer and DAC. It works very well connected directly to an amplifier.  

@rdoc The MU1 has the ability to take an analog input and switch it through to the analog output.  I assume that is what you are referring to.  but it is just a convenience switch, not a preamp.  That assumes I understand it correctly.  I haven't used it.

@carlsbad2 wrote: " The MU1 has the ability to take an analog input and switch it through to the analog output.  I assume that is what you are referring to.  but it is just a convenience switch, not a preamp.  That assumes I understand it correctly.  I haven't used it."

This understanding would not be correct according to Grimm which state the following:  "The MU2 combines a music streamer with a superb DAC and a reference quality analog preamp."

Numerous reviewers have commented on the quality of the preamp in the MU2 as well as the inbuilt DAC.  It is an MU1 and much more.

I use it as a one box solution from Ethernet to my amp.  It sounds superb as well in my opinion and better than many of the separates which I have used. 

@rdoc the question is, is it an active preamp or is it a passive preamp?  what I've described, just a switch, it often called a passive preamp. I still think that is what we have but will look into it.  I have a contact at Grimm that I will ask.

I use my Lampizator DAC for my "one box solution"  I guess I could run the output from my DAC back into the analog input on my Grimm and make it my one box solution.  

So you use your grimm for volume control?  The remote on the grimm MU1 is a phone "app" which is really just logging into the IP address of the machine. Is that what you have?  I found the volume control to occasionally switch to max and do not use it.

Jerry