I have no opinion on the cables you mentioned as I have not tried them. Conceptually, the Varidig design concepts make sense. I’m guessing you are looking at AES/SPDIF cables exclusively, not Ethernet or USB cables.
I own the Octava T AES cable after audition of several others. The benefits of the ring are yet to be realized. You can also save $ using equally good (their assessment) RCA connections.
Ok thanks very much for the reply…
Since I have NAIM gear, I got a custom interconnect from Chris West at AVOptions to connect the MU2 to my NAIM integrated amp. For those on this thread, I think the price would fall within the reasonable range. 
Because my Marantz CD player won’t output SACDs directly to the MU2, I am using a decent Chord interconnect to run SACDs directly to the integrated, bypassing the MU2. Not bad.
For regular CDs, the Grimm dealer provided a Grimm AES-XLR interconnect to connect the Marantz and the Grimm. Okay but room for improvement.
BTW the MU2 is awesome. But I don’t have to tell anybody here that!
Cheers.
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I have been watching this topic with interest since I am considering updating and reducing the components in my system. My wife would also appreciate a smaller and simpler set up in our living room.
My question for MU2 users is can I expect the preamp function to be equal to the Aesthetix Calypso Signature I am using now? I would need the analog inputs for vinyl, a Rega Planar 8 and Manley Chinook SE.
I am also very happy with the DSD MK2, I was not looking to replace it so I’m curious how it compares to the Grimm.
Does anyone use the headphone output of the MU2? I’m not sure I would give up the LTA MZ3.
The MU2 would be a big step up from the Antipodes D1 Core that is very long in the tooth and is on the list to replace if not with Grimm then a newer Antipodes. I use a Sonore Optical Rendu as the streamer.
Advice would be appreciated from this savy group.
I am not familiar with your pre, but my previous pre is a BHK Signature and I like the pre of MU2 better. It matches the musicality of BHK pre, but it provides a darker background. The detail level is quite a bit better too.
I am using PST/DS MK2 with the pre section of MU2, and I felt the SQ quality of playing SACD is good enough to be my end game setup. I have no analog gear so I cannot help you there.
If you have music files, I suggest you get one with 2 or 8TB depending on your file size. SQ of ripped files from internal SSD is better than my original CDs.
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Thank you for the quick response! The BHK Pre and the Calypso should be comparable, more tubes in the Calypso. If I do not go to the MU2 my other thought is to get an Aesthetix Janus Signature which would eliminate the Chinook since it is a Calypso with a phono section. Eliminates 1 box but still need to replace the Roon core and player.
I will be using my BHK 250 amp either way.
I had ripped all of my CDs, still have a few SACDs but no transport. For streaming do you prefer the DSD MK2 to the Grimm?
Grimm MU2 does all the streaming from Qobuz and music files in my case, and it is one of the best out there. It has a Roon core built in, so do not need to store it anywhere else.
I use DSD MK2 and PST for SACD playback only since I have an ample collection of SACDs. All CDs are ripped and stored in its 8TB SSD. The SQ from both SACD (PST) and DSD256 (MU2 SSD) are equally satisfying. But DSD256 sounded more analog to me.
I agree, the HDTT albums I have in DSD 256 are the best sounding music I have.
I have 4TB in the Antipodes as well as more music on the network and stream from Qobuz. It will be 8TB MU2 if I go that way. I just need to figure out how to justify the expense. This is why I would not be able to keep the MK2 and would need the Grimm as a DAC as well as preamp, Roon core, and streamer.
If I understand you the MK2 is only used as a DAC for SACDs in your system and streaming uses the Grimm MU2 DAC?
(I see from your bio we are both in the SF Bay Area.)
Thanks,
Lee
Yes, that is correct! You will love how MU2 sounds.
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Also check out the latest upgrades thread for more posts regarding the MU2.
That’s what I needed to hear. I may try to hold on to the MK2, it sounds so good, but I’m also looking to upgrade to FR 10 or FR 20 speakers.this fall.
What can anyone tell me about the headphone output?
Thanks,
Lee
They are worth every penny
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The FR 20s would be my choice but I don’t think 18-20” from the front wall will be enough. Might not be enough for the FR 10s either.
It also helps to have good clearance around the speakers. I am lucky to have a good-sized (and good-sounding) room for the FR20’s, and with my recent upgrades to pre and power amps and (MU2) DAC, I just love music with the FR20’s.
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Unfortunately it is a problematic room, 13’x25’ with French doors at one end and two openings on the back wall and a fireplace on the front wall😒.
Can you share why you use a preamp with the MU2?
Lee,
If it helps, when I bought the Grimm, not only did I enjoy MUCH better sound from the unit, but also sold:
-PS Audio Mk2 DAC
-opticalRendu
-Roon Nucleus+
-etherRegen
- (2) Farad Super3 power supplies
- Joule IV power supply (for the Nucleus)
- Several Shunyata Anaconda PCs
- Various interconnects and leads.
I don’t know if I’ve broken even yet, but when I factor in the sublime sound of the Grimm, I have zero regrets.
(I have no experience with the headphone out. I use the Grimm without preamp functionality, as I have a Rowland integrated.)
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That’s a downsizing plan in the correct way!
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I LOVE the sound of the GAT-S2 preamp with the MU2. The MU2 is clean, open, pure sounding, with the GAT-S2 clean, open, vibrant and dynamic. They are perfect together for me.
The openings in the back of your room might not hurt that much, unless one side of the wall is open and the other closed.
My listening room is 2 offset rectangles. The front and side walls are symmetrical around the speakers to the listening position, but the back wall is much further back and opens up to a bigger room behind on a parallel but offset rectangle.
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That sounds pretty much like what I am looking at too. It will also make it easier for my wife to listen when I’m traveling.
I’ve owned CJ gear in the past, I’m sure the GAT would make a difference. Thanks for the explanation.
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