Vincent des Champs

And it even is about to get ‘worse’.. Alex offered to try his renewed Agane loudspeakers in the near future ;-)

I completely agree. But on the other hand it is fun to own a speaker that nobody knows. Do a Google search for a review on them and you will find zero results. These specific “Eggies” Savoys were used in (and part of) the Wisseloord mastering studios in The Netherlands for a reason. And yes, I hadn’t heard of EgglestonWorks before when auditioning them for the first time. I was totally shocked by their unparalleled ease of presentation and grandness in soundstage. They bring the exact opposite of digititus. It is one of those loudspeakers that do everything ‘just right’ without exaggerating / emphasizing anything resulting in true life like sound bringing endless listening sessions. It is always a fun experience when people come over and are overwhelmed about what these hideous coffins can do. Over time I have learned to appreciate their esthetics though 😁.

Yup, out of this world.. and for 99,99% of the audiophiles an unknown brand, making it even more special.. combine it with Pilium amplification and you got true magic 🪄

End game... for now ;-)

Years later… … I am living the APL Illumifi-life and it is the best setup I have ever experienced!!! Also inspired by this article @The Computer Audiophile thumbs up!

Thanks a lot @Nikhil! It is a great journey to explore the audiophile world (endless mixing and matching of components and cables, subject to evolving personal taste over time)... I think I have hit the right spot between uber expensive and "reasonably affordable" and having an ultra highend analog/ life-like sound. Big shout out to Alex Peychev (APL) for providing the digital heart and soul of this result and Ben van Leliveld (Acoustic Matters) for designing and implementing the acoustic treatment in my basement!

https://audiophilestyle.com/profile/41453-vincent-des-champs/?tab=field_core_pfield_3

See Grimm Audio website for in/outputs: The only MU2 outputs are analog so the first step in your chain will not be possible (MU2 spdif out to DSP). Question: what is the use of this step? The MU2 can be used as Roon core -as suggested by Eelco- and of course the DSP must be a Roon endpoint to make the rest of your idea work.

Sold

I think there is a difference between ‘neutral’ and ‘natural’ sounding… both can be combined of course.. the APL sounds so real when it comes to how a instrument actually sounds (natural) but the APL is warmer tuned (turned on in the middle area, making it less neutral over the frequency spectrum).

The APL has more depth in its stage, all to the extend where I hear sound behind my head.. the APL is more warm sounding (as a result of the tube output stage) which is completely in line with Alex’ design goals (the search for reel-to-reel/vinyl-like digital reproduction). The APL is the master in honest timbre. The MU2 on the other hand is somewhat more ‘neutral’ sounding and less forgiving. Micro resolution is on par I would say. And of course the MU2 is a heck of a value pack (Roon server/ streamer/ DAC/ preamp in one).

Fair enough, the two are not comparable due to different price points and yes: the APL’s performance should be better (though we all know that “more expensive = better” is not guaranteed - but in this case it definitely is). I was happy enough to lay my hand on a pre owned unit and also happen to be able to make a straight comparison with the MU2 (as I currently have one on loan as demo). Also my digital front end should be taken in consideration as well, apples and oranges for sure. Yes, the APL’s midrange is silky sweet but so are the highs and lows. Both resolution and stereo image of the MR SE are lifelike. And that is where the APL really shines: it is 101% natural sounding. After having owned ultra high detailled DACs I moved to a more natural sounding reproduction. The total absence of digital artifacts is what strikes me the most. In that regard the MU2 and APL DAC share a value both on their own level. I think that people coming from a MU1 plus Mola Mola Tambaqui/ mScaler/DAVE-combo hearing the MU2 might be a bit disappointed in the first place, because the MU2 is just a different (more honest) cookie not throwing a sh!t load of resolution in your face. Once you get used to the natural sound, there is no way back. @The Computer Audiophile can you relate to above statements since you are familiar with the APL DACs too?

After having heard most of the DACs mentioned in this topic, I can conclude there is only one DAC to rule them all: Alex Peychev’s APL’s creations from Bulgaria. I realize it is a bold statement to make, but these DACs deserve attention. Currently playing with the DSD-MR SE DAC and I am floored - never experienced such a relaxation of the brain and such an ease of listening. Forget all the audiophile crap (at least if you don’t like intens puppet shows) and drown into the world of music. There is no DAC sounding close to this. And yes: I did the comparison with the MU2.

https://hifi-nl.translate.goog/artikel/33180/Review-Grimm-MU2-zijn-we-al-bij-de-grens.html?_x_tr_sl=nl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=nl&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Hi @The Computer Audiophile, could you please delete this post? I prefer no longer to share pictures of my private place after a bad experience. Txs!