Product Strengths

• Startling clarity
• An extraordinarily clear view of the 'reality' of the recording
• Subtlety is exposed, which made listening a fuller, more complex experience
• Sound quality is unmatched in terms of technology, design, build and finish
• A very fluid, massive and somewhat dynamic soundstage

Product Considerations

• The dCS Mosaic app is starting to feel clunky
• Basic display
• Some holes when it comes to features
• Audiophile sound is mostly faint clouds hovering between boxes
• It is wished the streamer had Wi-Fi compatibility, but dCS sees this as compromising on sound quality

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Vs Denafrips Terminator Plus—it replaced the Denafrips Terminator Plus
• Vs Chord Dave DAC—the Chord Dave gets very close in sound to the Lina, but the Dave leans a bit leaner and sharper where the dCS Lina is fuller, thicker, smoother with more density
• Vs Weiss 501—the dCS is a smooth sounding DAC indeed, but it is not one of those that sound overly smooth, the Weiss 501 sounds closest to an in-studio experience, where we get the master tape kind of sound
• Vs HiFi ROSE 150b—the ROSE feels and looks to be built to a similar level (at least the outside), and is gorgeous as well, it's not nearly as refined or together in the DAC department when comparing it to upper echelon products
• Vs dCS Bartok Apex—compared to the Bartók Apex, the Lina's sound (without the Master Clock) had a slightly different textural quality, not coarser or finer grained but as though performers were viewed under a different quality of light, the Lina's light felt slightly more brilliant than remembered with the Apex and maybe 3o cooler

Takeaway: The Lina DAC is a small but very technologically advanced DAC and delivers music with a bonafide life-force behind it. This DAC brings a larger soundstage and bigger sound to the room and is well worth the cost if you have a system that can stand toe to toe with it.

Product Strengths

• The MU2 is an all-in-one device combining a Roon core/endpoint, DAC, preamplifier, and headphone amplifier
• Major DAC provides exceptional digital music reproduction, described as 'the best... by an obvious and distinct margin' and more 'lifelike'
• Offers a very quiet background and deep, wide, layered soundstage with stunning holographic reality
• The analog preamplifier section is high quality, described as Class A throughout, with ultra-low harmonic distortion
• Excels in revealing copious amounts of detail throughout the frequency range and making a deep emotional connection

Product Considerations

• Roon is required to operate the MU2 (although Grimm is reportedly working on another option)
• There is no wireless connectivity, requiring an Ethernet connection
• Some reviewers found the MU2 to be 'polite' or 'calm', which may not suit all preferences
• Parts are allegedly not worth the price

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• vs AURALiC ARIES G1.1 + Totaldac d1-triunity/Mola Mola Tambaqui—MU2 provides more fully fleshed out sound
• vs Grimm MU1—the MU2's integral implementation and direct internal connection give it an advantage, sounding more expansive and expressive
• vs Aqua Formula xHD DAC—the MU2 is calmer and more composed, while the Aqua is upfront and explicit

Takeaway: The Grimm MU2 is a versatile, all-in-one music player that delivers exceptional sound quality for digital music, and it simplifies your system by combining a streamer, DAC, and preamp. It is designed to bring you closer to your music with its impressive detail and engaging sound.

Product Strengths

• Delivers an engaging and emotionally charged performance with rhythmic drive and articulate rendering of dynamic shifts
• Excellent build quality
• Streaming platform is stable and capable of dealing with all file types with ease
• Offers state-of-the-art sound quality with everything from online streaming services and Internet radio all the way through to hi-res music stored on your home network
• The output stage is Naim's preferred balanced impedance type, but they prefer the DIN route for normal cable lengths

Product Considerations

• No USB (Type B) input
• The manuals are a little scant on detail
• The signal level out of the balanced XLR sockets (2.1V) is the same as the single-ended connections, rather than double, as it usually is
• Some found the new white logo lighting (instead of the traditional green) to be a negative
• There is not enough space under the sharp cooling fins for fingers

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Vs NSC 222: The NSS 333 justifies its price premium with even better sound quality
• Vs Naim ND 555/555 PS DR: The Naim NSS 333 delivers a significant chunk of the ND555/555 PS DR's performance at a fraction of the price
• Vs Moon 681: The NSS 333 delivers admirable precision and stability in the way it places instruments and sounds, though the Moon 681 produces more in terms of soundstage width
• Vs Naim NDX: The NSS 333 offers significantly more air and space in the recording, a greater sense of detail, and a notably natural and unforced delivery
• Vs NDX2: The new player sounds better and closes the gap with the flagship ND555 player, at least when the high-end machine is used in its basic single power supply configuration

Takeaway: The Naim NSS 333 is a musically satisfying music streamer with excellent build quality and the ability to convey emotion. It combines detailed, richer sound with a slick and user-friendly experience.

Product Strengths

• Known for analog-like qualities in dealing with transcoding zeros and ones
• Conveys low-level musical complexity and subtle spatial nuances that other DACs have difficulty with
• Produces voices that expand in three dimensions with a refreshing sense of presence, reminiscent of vinyl reproduction
• Returns energy to the music, instead of taking it away
• Reproduces details and anchor points with refreshing vividness, presenting the actuality with the least fragmentation of the sound image

Product Considerations

• A single-ended into a balanced pre configuration caused occasional static, making image difficult to discern during those moments
• Clarity could be improved on very complex choirs and instruments, and more separation would also be beneficial
• The attack on drums is slightly slow—perhaps medium paced—compared to some DACs

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Compared to CH Precision C1.2 DAC, the DAC III is more emotionally involving, while the CH Precision sounds markedly cooler, flatter, and more emotionally restrained
• Compared to aqua acoustic quality Formula xHD, the Formula xHD retrieves detail, bass precision, articulation, and transparency better, while the DAC III is airier, more fluid, and more refined
• Compared to Holo Audio May, the attack on drums is slightly slow—perhaps medium paced—and behind the Holo Audio May as well

Takeaway: The SW1X Audio Design DAC III Balanced has a musicality that makes it worth considering. It expresses music in a way that is closer to analog, with a natural transparency and higher degree of contrast.

Product Strengths

• Surprisingly technical, with resolution on par or better than anything else heard at its price point
• Conveys the time of music extremely well, notably with exceptional leading-edge portrayal and high resolution/micro dynamics
• Offers excellent timbre
• The internal streamer presented better clarity in the bass

Product Considerations

• With signals above PCM 24 bits and 192 kHz, the converter down-samples the signals
• DSD signal is converted internally to a PCM signal, since the R2R resistor ladder is a 24-bit circuit
• Treble compensation may be needed for optimal sound, or to lower excessive treble energy

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

• Versus Totaldac d1-tube DAC/Streamer, the d1-unity offers greater clarity, voice, and impact, providing a more fully resolved picture
• Versus Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC, the d1-unity offers more body, tone, and texture, whereas the Mola Mola emphasizes upper frequencies a bit more
• Matches the resolution and dynamic presentation of the Chord Dave
• The internal streamer is marginally better than the Sonore Optical Rendu

Takeaway: The d1-unity is a good option for those seeking an engaging and high-resolution digital source. It is especially suited for listeners who appreciate a physical and vibrant presentation of music.