Grimm MU2 Experience

@ja_kub_sz   Thank you.  Give it whirl on your system and see what you think.  You may prefer the Device Volume setting in Roon on your system.  On my system, the WVL speakers are so revealing and transparent that the Device Volume setting seems a bit etched to my ear, and the Fixed Volume setting is more natural sounding.  Again, YMMV.  

I must say that the MU2 has taken my system from excellent before to ethereal now.

I must say that the MU2 has taken my system from excellent before to ethereal now

I must say with the MU2 mid-range is the key element that jumps out to me with ethereal precision, accuracy and fluidity. That’s where the magic is and that’s where the bulk of music is happening.

@ja_kub_sz The MU2 just keeps getting better and it has taken 2.5 months for it to really blossom on my system.  I think you will find that bass and hf will get even better with time as well.

I just posted a review of the MU2 here

http://www.stereotimes.com/post/grimm-mu2-music-player-by-john-hoffman/

I love it

I have some interest in the Grimm MU2, which apparently serves the roles of:

• Server/Roon core
• Streamer/Roon endpoint
• DAC
• Analog preamp

Can users explain whether they have tried and found any sonic benefits (or not) to:

• Using a separate server/Roon core networked and located away from a user's music system, and thus using the MU2 only as the streamer/DAC/preamp?
• Using a separate preamp and not the onboard preamp?
• Using a unity-gain buffer on the preamp/volume control outputs, to improve the output impedance?

I cannot find any information/specifications about the on-board preamp, and whether it is a true preamplifier with gain (i.e., how much gain?), or simply a volume control as is the case with many volume controls inside of DACs.

I need to review more closely but would like to find more direct comparisons between the MU2 used as a DAC and other top DACs, i.e., how good is the DAC section?