@metaldetektor @essrand If you want a USB DAC the Musetec MH-DA005 uses an Amenero board for the USB. As a long time advocate of AES/EBU I’ve been literally blown away using this DAC with the USB input fed from my Aurender N20, which also has a 10Mhz Master Clock input. It’s so good I just ordered a new USB cable!

I was disappointed at first because I found the Musetec only offered DOP over AES &SPDIF but after a few days I realised why.

I will let you be the judge against the Grimm streamer but I did compare it to the N20 and I bought the N20.

Grimm does not offer DSD re-clocking in any of it’s products AFAIK.

The Aurender also unfolds .ISO files internally which sound better than just copying .DSF files.

The Aurender N20 plus the Musetec is an end game system for me, at least for several years I imagine.

On a last note the Musetec beats many more expensive DACs, I’ve even heard it best a $30k DAC.

Hong Kong prices for high priced DACs are falling through the floor, the Musetec is a game changer.

N.B. I don't stream because of the incredible sound I get from the internal SSDs on my N20. Although the N20 is a very capable streamer, I want maximum resolution and I have a sizable ripped music collection.

@metaldetektor Hi the USB for DSD is absolutely wonderful there is a very small difference between AES/EBU and USB for PCM and I will not be able to make my final conclusions until maybe another 2-3 weeks from now when the Musetec should be fully burned in.

AFAIK I can't re-clock the USB because there's nothing that I know of that has a USB input and output, so I may try re-clocking the AES/EBU with a Mutec and see if it makes a difference. I've tried the Grimm re-clockers and compared to the Mutec they sound exaggerated. YMMV.

As far as streaming is concerned I've listened to the Aurender N20 and N30 in hi-end systems and they both are very,very capable but since I know my music collection mostly off by heart I prefer to listen to ripped.

I get a warm fuzzy schadenfreude feeling when I hear that people have spent $10-$30 grand or more on DACs without doing proper research.

Fool and his money?

GoldenSound has compared the DCS Bartok to his Holo May KTE and found the May superior for a third of the price. Members here have found the May also as good or better than the Mola Mola Tambuqui. Again at a much lower price point.

Now here's the interesting thing the Musetec 005 has been favorably compared to the May and found to be at least equal if not slightly better depending on your taste for $2k less. May is R2R, 005 uses ESS chips. Each has it's followers.

Personally I have put up my 005 against a $30k DAC and found it superior, and it isn't fully burned in yet. I won't tell the name because a lot of people will see their expensive DACs lose huge amounts of money and my schadenfreude feelings don't go that far.

However I will say as I've said before, with all these excellent Chinese DACs on the market the bottom has dropped out of the Hi-End DAC market in Hong Kong which is one of the largest Hi Fi markets in the World.

Auender N20 plus 005 max $15k you could sell your Nagara DAC and still have $5k change and a superior sound and ease of use.

Another promotional thread...your post is not a controlled experiment so caution to all..lol.

A hard on for Aurender, one of your previous posts.

Aurender A10 help

@essrand What I would suggest is eliminate the streaming first and judge each on their sonic merits alone. So record your favorite track, one that you have heard 100's of time onto a USB stick. It probably would help if it has acoustic guitar and voices. One of my references is "And You and I" by Yes.

If after comparing 20 or so times you can't hear a difference then there is no difference to be heard.

If you can then your router probably needs isolation or something else but do this first.

Good Luck.

@essrand I suggested that you do a simple test and you decided not to do it. You possibly can't explain away what you've done as a review and your reputable reviewer shouldn't put his name to such an amateurish ensemble.

Your sound comparisons are meaningless you don't even mention what you were listening to. It's pathetic gibberish.

Better off sticking it all through Cindy's multimeter.

I really don't believe you know what your listening for. Just like someone at their first wine tasting who likes an Australian Shiraz above a Petrvs.

@essrand I honestly don't care less what you think about me but you are not giving an honest in depth review. It's just you and your mate who came over on Saturday afternoon and chilled and played some tracks and thought "Hey man this is the same as six grand."

Do you really believe such bargains exist? I don't think so and neither does anyone else.

Anyway carry on in ignorance.