Grimm MU2 Experience

I am glad to see this thread continued. I am about to purchase a new DAC/Streamer setup and the Grimm is on my short list along with EMM Labs, Weiss, DCS, and Linn.

@awise1961 

If a one-box solution appeals to you and you have the budget I would throw Playback Designs into that list 

 Eelco Grimm's 10 hi-fi myths busted: 

https://darko.audio/2025/01/podcast-10-hi-fi-myths-busted-by-eelco-grimm/

@soix

..but that this level I’d want everything separate.

Excellent down to earth discussion regarding this in "myth" #10 from the link I posted above. Starts around time 1:29

@mclinnguy Yeah, I understand there are some tangible benefits to combo units, but there’s really no getting around this one fact — if you buy a combo streamer/DAC/preamp you’re ultimately beholden to that designer’s tastes on all three. What bothers me about that is what are the odds that his/her implementation of each of those three functions melds optimally with mine or yours? I’d say that it’s probability is next to zero. As an example, I prefer to use a certain tube preamp for the sound characteristics it presents, which I’m simply not gonna get in a solid state combo unit where the designer takes that choice/option outta my hands. Or, put another way, I may much prefer a Grimm streamer/DAC through my tube pre than through whatever preamp is in the MU2. Same logic applies to the DAC — what if I prefer a particular R2R NOS DAC, but in the combo unit I’m beholden to the DAC in that? I’m sure the MU2 sounds fantastic and I’d probably love it, but at that price level I’m gonna pick the streamer, DAC, and preamp I like and construct the combo specifically to my tastes. Frankly, I’d love to use a Grimm streamer with my choice of DAC and preamp as I think once you get a great streamer from the likes of Grimm, Aurender, Innuos, etc. they’re less personal than the choice of a DAC or preamp, but that’s me.