Have to admit, he is a master showman.
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It wouldnât make sense to say it sounds worse!
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Then even more of a reason to improve the trade in program, especially if you were involved in the beta testing. I have no ill will to Ted or PSAudio nor do I want to know the dirty details. Like that first scratch on a new car, it doesnât decrease its ability to do what you bought it to do, itâs just disappointing.
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Yes I would like a little more for my trade ins as I have a deposit on the new preamp and DAC but how many of you have asked TMR to put a value on your gear you would like to sell ? The reason I ask this is as I understand a good chunk if not all of the trade in gear goes to TMR. TMR has to make a profit like all businesses do. So if PS Audio is giving us $3,000 for trade ins what are they getting from TMR ?
TMR is convenient and no hassle but from my experience they are less than generous on what they are willing to pay for your gear. Again they are business not a charity and I understand that. If you think you can get more for your gear than $3K go for it. Personally, I am at the point in my life that the less aggravation the better. I am like water in that I like to take the path of least resistance.
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I did, just out of curiosity and within the last 45 days - before the trade-in value was set. They are not purchasing DirectStream MK2âs, or were not at the time of my inquiry. This is the response I got:
The appraiser passed on the PS Audio DirectStream DAC MK2 as we already have 5 that weâre sitting on and trying to sell.!
They (TMR) were sitting on more than 5, it was more like 10. I think itâs back to 5 that I can see and from what it looks like, that number is not likely to change soon.
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Another observation is that the trade in value for Stellar Phono to PMG Phono is $3000. This is way over what they are going for on TMR or in private sale in the past couple of months. So, I suspect that much of the trade in value is just pure discount and a small portion is actually recouped by PS Audio on some of these trade in these deals.
Thoughts?
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Nicely said, and most probable.
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The MU2 can be purchased for much less than $17.5k but still significantly more than a PMG. As many here will tell you MU2 is worth the price.
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Any experience with the MU1�
I am not in the less is more camp (yet) as it relates to integrated components. I still have the space and desire to mix and match separates to eke out the best performance I can from my system.
In order to afford to try to sate this desire, I tend to focus on the used market and components that are one or two generations older than the latest and greatest/SOTA.
I wonder if a MU1/modified DS Sr. DAC combination could offer the kind of value (performance for the dollar improvement) I seek, even though the Grimm does not offer an I2S output.
Cheers.
The MU1 is a nice server/streamer but is counterproductive when paired with DS DAC. This is especially true if you own/play a lot of DSD. Still, that hasnât stopped people from pairing them anyway. Beyond me.
No DSD with MU1, might be a step backwards for me.
Thanks.
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Any chance you are familiar with this kit?:
Regards.
I have a Grimm MU1. I donât use a Directstream DAC with it. The MU1 will play DSD files up to DSD 256 but it is converted to PCM because the audio is outputs via AES which is limited to 192/24. I compared the sound of 128 dsd out of the Grimm playing to my Ethos DAC and Native DSD 128 out from my Aries G2 and I could NOT hear a sonic difference between them. Grimm does not believe in USB and uses AES because itâs superior over USB handling jitter. The cost of the MU1 and a new PSA Dac makes no sense because it would cost the same if not more than a MU2.
With MU2 Grimm solved the issue of not being able to do native DSD by including the DAC inside again eliminating USB. With this example and the Grimm MU2 less is more.
If you own a Dac you absolutely love the Grimm MU1 is a fine choice. IMO
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My DAC is a modified DS Sr. (MKI).
The pairing of the MU1 with the DS Sr. would need to at least equal my DS Sr./AirLens combo for me to consider it.
I need a more convenient and expandable storage/rendering solution than my current iMac/JRiver Media Center system. I love the sound of JRMC but the Mac is filling up and my networked Synology NAS is wonky.
Thank you for your reply.
Any additional thoughts�
I had to edit. I did NOT hear a difference between the converted DSD to the native DSD. I preferred the MU1 sound because of its superior anti-jitter processing in the Grimm.
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I would feel confident that the MU1 would be superior to an Airlens tho I have no experience with Airlens. The Grimmâs ability to be a Roon core and processes the music makes it hard to beat! The Grimm over the Auralic Aries G2 was because I felt the Grimm sounded more like physical media and less digital or the Aries. The Aries is a great streamer I just found the MU1 more to my liking. You canât go wrong with any Grimm unit.
The other thing you should be aware of if you are not Grimm is Roon only. No JRiver media capabilities that Iâm aware of.
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HelpfulâŚ
Thank you.
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I got my MU2 before the PMG was announced. With the help of my dealer, I was able to sell my Airlens, Mk2, BHK preamp and all their attendant cabling. The proceeds of these sales more than covered the cost of the MU2, and once the MU2 completed its lengthy break-in process, the resulting sound far exceeded that of my prior PS Audio rigâŚ
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