Grimm will do DSD 256 according to one of their latest updates.
Tho I agree on higher end dac’s it seems less important and harder to tell 128 from 256.
Grimm will do DSD 256 according to one of their latest updates.
Tho I agree on higher end dac’s it seems less important and harder to tell 128 from 256.
I believe that means it will receive and pass through DSD256, but if you use the filter (or whatever it’s called) it will be downsampled to 176.4 kHz or 192 kHz.
I will leave it to @aangen to explain.
I just recently subscribed to the TAS Substack service and asked if the Grimm would be a good choice with a dCS DAC.
Here’s the response:
Vince asked:
Q: I have a Roon Nucleus based system that feeds a dCS Bartók via the built-in ethernet Bridge. Is there any benefit to switch out the Nucleus with a Grimm MU1?
A: Great question! Generally we would think adding the Grimm (or similar) will not help because most of the timing of the system happens in your Bartok. But to check if we were missing something about the Bartok architecture, we asked dCS for their input. Here’s what they say:
“Systems such as the Grimm are not network end points like the Roon. Since the Bartok is a music server and streamer, and operates even without Roon or any server via Mosaic, products like the Grimm really don’t serve a very good technical purpose in a dCS system.
Worse, they introduce jitter because they cannot be referenced to a master word clock.
That said, music servers such as the Grimm do sound different, and some people like the sound.
We prefer the immediacy, transparency, and honesty of the simple approach of using the Bartok as a network endpoint, either with Roon or on its own.”
TAS added:
With dCS we often find that they have a very pure approach which suits some listeners and not others. Many of us at TAS like the dCS sound (or lack thereof), but if you are trying to address an audible issue, you might want to augment or abandon their approach. As always, borrowing a Grimm and trying it is the real proof of its value.
----
It was kinda cool to get a reponse from both TAS and dCS.
Oh boy. This seems like a can of worms just opened. ![]()
DCS plus Grimm no bueno? I can see that. Grimm introduces jitter? Am I reading this correctly?
hmmm
It’s because the Grimm won’t be able to be controlled by either the internal or external dCS Master Clock. This should come as no surprise. This is one of the reasons that after a certain point in price/performance clock input/outputs are introduced in DACs, streamers, or music servers.
That makes sense. The two devices are both trying to use their own proprietary technology to perform a similar task.
I need to get some sleep.
Three days early? NFW! I was planning on doing some stuff around town on Sunday. Now I am going to be running to the front door every time I hear a vehicle!
If it shows up tomorrow all in one peice I will retract anything negative I have ever said about FedEx.
Your guy speaks in generalized terms about blah blah blah.
This isn’t worth my time.
[There is an infomercial on right now about saving money on normal household items!]
I think it is way too late to save money on stereo systems
LOL!!!
What he said!
Having said that, an MU1 would be wasted on DCS.
I strongly prefer the non-DCS route.
(It’s a religious thing)
(They use baby seals for testing)
(I saw it on the Internet so it must be true)
After testing we eat them, so win!

Best.
Possible.
Answer.
I’m glad it’s seals and not bunnies, as that would just be wrong on so many levels.
Focal uses bunnies.
HoloAudio uses hamsters.
An impressive group of cinical crazy this forum, but I like it!
Ha ha, this has made my morning ![]()
Yet all tasty. I need to test something that uses Llama’s.
I suppose my preference for vinyl makes this all a bit silly.
You’re right, eating vinyl would be silly.