2. digital
  3. 191173-107

Next step up on the streaming food chain?

I’ve been enjoying my Auralic Aries G1 for nearly 3 years now. If I wanted to explore a significant step up in my streaming quality, and not a small incremental increase in quality, what devices should be on my short list? Aries G2.2? Grimm MU1? Something else? The G1 is awfully good, however, I still perceive an extra layer of dimensionality and roundness with my analogs set up (see profile for details) that I would love too achieve in the digital realm. Or am I barking up the wrong tree, and should I focus on my DAC, a Bricasti M1, and try as non-oversampling R2R dac? FWIW, I think the Bricasti is excellent- it was the first DAC I ever heard that made me say- "that sounds terrific" instead of saying "that sounds great for digital"

128x128zavato
vinylshadow
502 posts
 

Playback Designs Edelweiss Streamer MPS-X. Thew penultimate streamer. You can do no better. 

fastfreight
827 posts
 

@Carlsbad2 said

Edit to add:  I don't think Auralic does Roon.  Grimm does not work without roon.  so it may not be a good choice for you.

Auralic are Roon certified Endpoints

fastfreight
827 posts
 

and +1 on the Grimm MU1.

trivema's avatar
trivema
100 posts
 

If you haven’t already, find a good electrician to run separate dedicated power lines from your panel with true earth ground and pure copper HD outlets. If you really want to go all the way, have a separate audio panel installed first. Then the dedicated lines. Made a big difference in my system and I don’t have near the level of gear you have. 

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,054 posts
 

A whole house surge protector is inexpensive compared to audio gear. It’s a bacon saver. 

+2 on Grimm MU1 or MU2. Not a fairy tale. 

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