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Grimm MU1 Streamer - Really "The Best"?

I've recently become interested in the Grimm MU1.  While reviews of top end players from Innuos, Aurender and Antipodes and others are typically all very positive, the tone of the many pro reviews of the Grimm MU1 go far, far beyond, with some reviews resorting to using superlatives and gushing of positive system transformation and not being able to stop listening to material, etc..  HiFi Advice and Steve Huff (actually calls it "magic") have such reviews.

Given the delay in availability of the Innuos Pulsar which I'm told will be better than my current Zenith Mk3 + PhoenixUSB reclocker, I am interested in replacing my streaming setup with a one-box solution that includes a high-precision clock.  The new streamer will continue to feed my Gryphon Diablo 300's DAC module, which I have no interest in replacing.

I'm actually a fan of Innuos, after they improved the sound of my Zenith with firmware updates and after I added their PhoenixUSB reclocker. I appreciate this commitment to improving sound quality which is why I was so interested in the Pulsar.

The trigger for considering an upgrade is not for improved sound, but rather, to solve some issues I have with too many Audioquest power cords coiled and clumped together. I will get to lose one of them and one of my USB cords with a one-box streamer. I've noticed my sound is very sensitive to positioning of my AC cords and find I often need to re-adjust the PC feeding my amp to get proper sounding vocals at center stage.  One of my subs also seems to be picking up AC noise when the crossover is set above 60Hz. The second trigger is simply system simplification, removing one box.  All that said I don't really have any complaints regarding sound, and the PhoenixUSB reclocker truly did improve the sound of my Zenith.

While the Grimm MU1 has it's 4X upsampling up it's sleeve with reviewers absolutely glowing over this feature and it's extreme ability to separate tones to the left, right, front, and back far better than the rest, I don't see that Grimm has gone to any lengths with regard to power supply management in the way other brands do including Innuos. The MU1's ultra-simplistic interior doesn't bug me, but the lack of transformers and power management makes me wonder....

Are there any updates from folks who have directly compared the MU1 vs similarly classed streamers from the competition?  Did you find it to be as revelatory as the pro reviewers found it? And, how does it compare to other streamers with it's 4X upsampling disabled?  Does it sound like it suffers from it's lack of power management?  I do see that the clock should be very good...

 

 

nyev
carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,602 posts
 

@buickwilson I didn't mean to ignore your question. you didn't put @ in front of my name so I didn't get a notification.

So long term I've decided the grimm is indeed more to my liking than the Innuos  Since, I have replace my DAVE with a Lampizator Golden Gate 3 and the Grimm is a great match with the Lampizator.

Putting the Innuos back in service I don't find it inferior at all, just not as good.  

Additionally, the Grimm has the onboard upscaling and onbaord Roon core which is convenient.  one downside to the grimm is no remote.  You can log into the grimm using its IP address but not always convenient.  there are some functions, such as software update, that have to be done at the unit so if it is low in your rack you are on your knees.

Jerry

antigrunge2
1,404 posts
 

@carlsbad2

may I suggest you look up the definition of ‘inferior’? Also, using InnuOS in a Roon setting is never going to do it justice. InnuOS’ main attraction is the use of its Sense operating system which requires less processing power and as a result produces less noise than Roon based systems. There is a formung consenses that Sense beats Roon in SQ

buickwilson
4 posts
 

I agree in my limited tests: Mac mini running Roon vs Euphony Stylus and Euphony sounded better; Innuos Zenith MkIII Sense native player vs Roon and preferred the Sense player over Roon.

My conclusion / assumption is these designers maximized (or maybe "tuned / shaped") their native players to get best sound versus doing a pass through of the Roon player. 

Several people mention their preference for the MU1 running Roon over Innuos (I'm assuming running the Sense native player), and I'm guessing either Grimm has figured out how to get better SQ out of Roon, or Grimm maybe is running or shaping the SQ.... 

 

 

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,602 posts
 

I have never agreed with those who felt innuos sense sounds better than roon.  I find no difference.  the streamer is doing the same thing, just a different human interface.  I hear no difference.

@antigrunge2 I suggest you look up the definition of tongue-in-cheek.  If that does't work for you, perhaps there are other words now in the dictionary that apply.  Would you prefer the wine review descriptions I read here..."subtle overtures of anis and a hint of manure..."   definitely some manure in some of the reviews I read here.  

I prefer the Grimm but don't want to bash the Innuos as it sounds great too.  Some reviewers can't pick one piece of gear without bashing the other and that is not my intention.

Jerry

antigrunge2
1,404 posts
 

@carlsbad2 

Let‘s just agree to disagree: InnuOS Sense and Roon are fundamentally different philosophies: Roon believes in heavy procssing and power akin to high powered amps whereas InnuOS believes in purist minimalist design akin to SET tube amps. To me they feel and sound very different.

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