Thinking of changing things up. Need advice on DAC/Streamers

@soix I appreciate the rebuttal, but it’s more of a hobby thing... I don’t HAVE to, but I WANT to try new things, nothing wrong with that.

It could be a step backwards or I could enjoy it just the same.

I’ll never know until I try.... and luckily I have the resources and ability to try as much as I want.

With that said, do you have any suggestions or just trying to talk me out of it :) (all in fun)

@brbrock I actually really love the AM IV DAC. It's more of just wanting to try something different. I will probably end up keeping the AM DAC as it's been the DAC I've loved the longest.. upgraded form III. Highly recommended. 

thanks @audioman58 appreciate it. I can have the luxury of trying it as just a DAC / pre with my Zenith, then put a tube preamp in the chain and use it just as DAC. lots of options. building out 2 separate systems so can swap a lot of stuff around to to try. 

@ddgtt interesting, thanks for this... as Verdant mentioned above, my eye on a Linn Selekt with Katalyst DAC is similar in sound to Mola... could use my Zenith as streamer

@verdantaudio thanks for the great info! I may PM for some things

@tump350 excellent. it may be worth grabbing a used MA3 and upgrading it to MA3i down the road... 

@curiousjim Aurender I've not looked much into them as I was never interested, but could be worth a look

@carlsbad2 @pbecker128 @fastfreight  MU2 is out of budget right now. 

@baylinor definitely could be my next step to try with a DDC. the new Harmony looks pretty good. 

@brbrock I've never heard the V, but the IV is definitely good. Vlad also will upgrade previous versions, so that's an option too

For all others, and @audioman58 - I totally get that ideally you want separate and better preamp, etc. why does any vendor sell devices that include more than one piece in the chain if they are inferior? because it's a choice and option. there's plenty of reasons why people choose products like this and always something/someway better to do it. 

​​​​​​​I understand the negatives to doing something like this. I'm not asking to be talked out of it, but for opinions on what I asked for. *all said in the nicest way*

Dang all of you Grimm MU2 recommenders :D  @wsrrsw @carlsbad2 
@pbecker128 @fastfreight 

After looking more into for fun, I must say it sounds pretty awesome for a 'all in one digital'

I'll have to keep an eye out on used market down the road since it's fairly new, price is out my budget. I MIGHT be able to stretch to $10k right now for the perfect device, but still off for MU2

Thanks everyone.

 @kennyc ive been contemplating a Linn Selekt DSM with Katalyst DAC, so we’ll see

part of me thinks if I can’t just spring for a Grimm MU2 I should probably just keep my Zenith and try a different DAC.