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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
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,700 posts
 

With my Innuos Zenith 3 I found the Muon Pro to have more positive sonic impact than the Phoenix which I returned. As I stated many pages ago, the Innuos Zenith benefits from the SR Purple in a very special way. Much more so than other pieces of equipment I have put these fuses in. The Zenith really responds. It is a must do to really evaluate the Zenith 3 as it performs on another level for $195. Not sure the SR Purple fuse will have this level of impact in the Grimm. I doubt it based on my experience.

I know SR has a new Master fuse now. It is said to be more resolving. I feel that much resolution could tip the Zenith into possible listening fatigue over time. The Purple is perfect 😊.


Give the fuse 48 hours of burn in before judging. After just 24 hours your tail with wag with joy! The Muon Pro also needs a week of run in. Network Acoustics says many customers prefer the pigtail end of the filter going to the switch. I preferred the pigtail on my Innuos as an FYI. Try both directions over time and decide for yourself.

Pigtail end on Innuos was more full bodied and meatier. Pigtail on switch was more resolving and lite up. It will come down to personal preferences and system synergy.

@nyev , I love how you are having fun with this hobby and passion. You are really going through the effort of trying pieces for yourself and determining what pieces engage you the most. Wonderful.

 

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
6,185 posts
 

+1, @grannyring on SR Purple Fuse with Innuos and NA Filter. I have been using a different fuse but case in point, aftermarket fuses does impact the sound favorably in most cases. 

nyev OP
1,033 posts
 

Thanks all for the guidance on the Muon filter and also on fuses.

My dealer said they’d get a quote on the Purple fuse for my Zenith, but I haven’t heard back.  I’ll give them a nudge. 

I’d like to try adding Purple fuses to my Diablo amp, Tambaqui, and even the MU1 as well, eventually.  What is the general guideline for what fuse specs to choose?  I know there is a lot of info on this on the boards already but I also don’t want to be the guy that keeps blowing very expensive fuses (or alternatively damaging my gear)…  I think the MU1 uses a fast-blow fuse.  Does that mean I should pick a fast-blow?  What about the current rating - how much higher should it be than the default fuse installed in the component?

 

peter_s
1,441 posts
 

I am thinking about getting an MU1 but have a question. I currently have three roon endpoints running in my house, and they are all connected to an NUC roon server. If I install the MU1as a Roon server for my main system, would it be the server for the other two endpoints? Or would I need to maintain the NUC as a second, parallel Roon server?

rshad0000
272 posts
 

Nyev,

I agree, I love how Roon pulls up "like" songs and plays them!  

Before my current gear I had a Diablo 300 as well...I loved that integrated amp and I can see how the Grimm work work very well with it.   Enjoy!

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