I fully understand where you are coming from. You mention that you, “…are very happy with the sound from the MKII and AirLens.” That’s significant! The MK2 is an excellent DAC. Reflecting back on the beta period approximately two years ago or so, folks were gushing about how great it sounded. Eventual release of the component (and a firmware upgrade to address some initial technical and user interface issues) further enhanced its desirability. Some initial ‘professional’ reviews besmirched its reputation to some extent as it didn’t measure as well as expected. Regardless, it sounded great.
I contend that but for the announcement of the PMG line-up, the MK2 would still be a very desirable DAC. A lot of people put stock in the promise that firmware upgrades would flow similar to the MK1. I’m not in that camp. I’m not sure what I’d want changed if I had that power.
With the announcement of the PMG DAC (and confirmation that the MK2 would not benefit from further development) seemingly overnight the DSD MK2’s stature fell in the eyes of many. I’m not sure why as very few people, outside of those who have a vested interest in the success of the PMG DAC, have heard it.
This forum is a great resource and source of knowledge. It can also be a very seductive source of FOMO. “The insanity of large crowds” is ever present. All this is to say that you are very fortunate that you have a system (DAC in particular) that you are very happy with. Ask yourself if you would be looking to ditch your MK2 if the (as yet unheard) PMG DAC were not announced or if you weren’t reading about folks rabid about the magic of the MU2? You may already be in your happy place😊
Considering PS Audio is no longer supported in Norway moving on to a different brand may be a wise move. The Grimm MU2 is a wonderful unit. Place your PSA gear on the used market and see what interest develops.
I really like my PS Audio gear, however, if I were in @eral63 's position I would consider local availability and support a major factor going forward.
I’m continuing my discussion regarding the connecting of my MU2 here instead of the Stealth Cable thread, even though it was borrowing the “seems nice” Stealth power cables last week that jump started another level of improving of my system.
I now am using the MU2 as a streamer, DAC and preamp. I have fed the MU2 directly to a Levinson 534 power amp. I am a tube guy but have to admit this 100% solid state combination sounds very nice with Front Row Reserve rca interconnect. Switching to my old CJ tube amp, again, fed directly from the MU2 via Front Row Reserve rca interconnect, sounds extra special. The combination of the cleanness/openness of the MU2 and the sweetness/openness of EL34 tubes is to die for. With this transparency and tonal splendor, I have forgotten about a subwoofer, for today anyway, lol.
So, you like the pre in MU2, and you like CJ pre too when you use a quality interconnect. Is that it? That is a nice problem to have. I soon will have an integrated amp with a great preamp too, and I will not use MU2’s pre anymore. That’s too bad since I really like its pre.
I was inspired by the US Open golf yesterday (what a crazy course). I had an Eagle on the 2nd hole at Baylands GC this morning. My ball landed a few feet away from the flag, then slowly it rolled into the hole. I finished with a 50-foot birdie on the 18th hole too. What a round.
Is there only one dealer/distributor for all of Norway? If there is still a distributor, even though the dealer you’ve dealt with in the past no longer carries PSA, that means you could still get service relatively easily if needed. It might be worth contacting PSA by email and asking if there will be a distributor in the future. Maybe they don’t know or can’t say yet, but still perhaps useful to ask.
