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Upgrading digital side

I currently own a Jay's Audio CDT-MK2 CD transport and a Holo May KTE DAC.  I also stream (mostly files) with a Raspberry Pi (Roon and Audirvana software).   These feed PrimaLuna EVO400 preamp and amp and Devore Gibbon speakers.

I am  looking to upgrade my entire digital side.  I have an extensive CD collection that I will continue to listen to as well as thousands of files.

My budget is around $20,000 and I prefer new equipment.

So far, for DACS, I have been looking at the Grimm MU2, Bricasti M21, Mola Mola Tambuqui and the DCS Lina.  For server/streamers, Aurender N200 or N20 and Innous Stream 3.  I know that the DACS I mentioned also stream, but I'm not sure that I want to be completely tied to Roon or Audirvana.  I like the idea of internal storage for my files.

Finally, I am also considering the Luxman D-07X SACD player, which has a USB input where I would connect a streamer.  I'm wary of the quality of the DAC in the Luxman, especially for streaming.

Any advice on the best combination of the above (or something I haven't looked into yet) would be greatly appreciated.

walt8489
fastfreight
1,288 posts
 

Hello @mclinnguy !

I have had the S1 on demo in my home. Marcin from JCAT is super nice and great to deal with.  I honestly felt after multiple AB comparisons that his streamer was the best I had heard. But there was a slight Glitch, switching Between tracks of different resolution on Qobuz.  Marcin worked with me for a while, trying to get it figured out, but in the end we could not. I’m still not sure if it was a.JPLAY issue or on my end. But I ended up sending it on.  Also, I was hoping for a streamer that could run Roon as well as its native app.  That led me to purchasing an N 20.  It did not sound as good running Roon  as my Aries, and I could not wrap my head around the conductor app.  At the time the DAC in the system was a standalone Tambaqui.  

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
1,085 posts
 

 hello @fastfreight !

Sorry, perhaps I should have said more words to clarify, or perhaps you are not aware and therefore it is not in your recent thoughts. I mean in regards to this: 

https://www.grimmaudio.com/news/big-firmware-update-for-mu1-and-mu2/

In your MU1 have you tried Jplay, instead of Roon? (or Tidal connect)

EDIT: I was going to say give it a try and let me/us know how it is, but I just read this: Please note that a UPnP server should be running in the network, the MU1 and MU2 do not offer that function. 

I don’t get it, what does that mean? One needs another server to run their server? 

fastfreight
1,288 posts
 

Hello @mclinnguy ,  no I have not tried JPLAY using the update on my Grimm MU1.  While interesting, I expect it is the hardware of the S1 which lended amazing sound, along with the JPLAY software.  If I need another server for this, probably not in my future.  Thanks!

jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
1,110 posts
 

This might be worth a look. Didnt look extensively myself...

https://simaudio.com/en/product/681-network-player-dac/

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