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Old 07-23-2020, 03:59 PM
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bart bart is offline
Life is beautiful
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Belgium
Posts: 19,867
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Okay, time for our second competitor to enter the arena!
The MU1 from Grimm Audio.




It's flanked by the Mola Mola Tambaqui.
A bit more about that fantastic little DAC/pre later.

We played the same three tracks.

Muddy Waters

Holy s***...
I wasn't expecting this.
I stared in disbelief to my friend and to Ben, our host.
Tears filled my eyes.
I had always believed streamers don't matter so much: it's the DAC, amps and speakers that make the difference was my opinion.
Well I can tell you, I got the same visceral reaction as during last year's vist to Bert van der Wolf when the Merging NADAC clock (50-60K!!) was added to the streamer + power supply. You can read my experience here: https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=45800
I could use words like 'bigger and deeper soundstage', 'better detail' and more audiophile babbling.
But that doesn't really describe the experience.
What we heard: it was more real. Basta.
And this simply allows one to better connect to the musical experience.


Maya Fridman - Daniël Kool

We only needed the first piano note to come to the same conclusion.
What a difference!
So yes, the source seems to be the most important element in the chain.
Everything that is lost before it reaches the DAC can never be repaired afterwards.
And this means you start to appreciate the qualities of a good recording engineer even more...
"The piano is in the room" said Jacques...

Ella & Louis

Same findings.
I think even the bass was a bit more defined.
What a dangerous piece of gear!
You cannot go back to the Auralic when you've heard this streamer...


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Stereo: Hegel H590, Grimm Audio MU1, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Burmester 948 - V3 & V6 racks, Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, REL Carbon Special (pair), Silent Angel Bonn N8 Ethernet Switch & Forester F1, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse IC and SE SC, Furutech Digiflux
AV: Hegel C-53, Marantz AV8802A, Oppo BDP-203EU, Pioneer Kuro 60", Vivid Audio C1 & V1w's, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse, SE & E
Second system (veranda): Halgorythme preamp and monoblocks, Burmester 061, Avalon Avatar, Sharkwire & Wireworld cables

Last edited by bart; 07-23-2020 at 05:28 PM.
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