Intro
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For us, it was one of the highlights of the High End Munich 2023: the introduction of the Grimm MU2. So we couldn’t wait until we had one in our hands to check it out. Does it disappoint after all the “high hopes”? Well … you already know that answer. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that we’d like to take a closer look at this beautiful device.
A few years back, Grimm introduced the MU1. That was a pretty “disruptive” device. It’s a streamer with a Roon core (or server) and as icing on the cake: far-reaching upsampling of the digital signal. That will give better results with all dacs, connected to it. Due to its excellent sound characteristics, the Grimm MU1 ended up in many a reference system. And rightly so.
Grimm MU2
The Grimm MU2 is not the successor to the MU1. It is a complementary product for those who do not want to work with a separate d/a converter. The Grimm MU2 is a streamer with the same Roon core as in the MU1 and now also a built-in d/a converter. A very special converter, about which more later.
But it doesn’t stop here. In fact, the MU2 also has an analog preamplifier with analog volume control. And it has a headphone amplifier. This signal path is also completely analog: no analog-to-digital conversion or other DSP-like conversions: it simply involves a relay which keeps the signal path as short as possible.
Then the price for all this beauty: 18000 Euro. Yes: a lot of money. We will agree on that. But realize that you are not only buying a streamer, but also a Roon core (unfortunately the license is not included; we would have liked that), top-of-the bill d/a converter, a headphone amplifier AND a wonderful analog preamp. All in all, the MU2 is a very interesting package deal!
Jaap — The “Notify me of new posts by email” has never notified me.
I wonder what effect your almost entirely not evaluating the better tube gear is affecting your view of what’s possible. It’s the question I asked myself after many years with a PS Audio Directstream I dac.
That is odd. It should work, although it only works for news for some reason. Check your spam. Maybe its there.
I can check tube gear. It is not that i am avoiding it :-).
Thanks, that’s helpful. Should I take it you don’t deal much with tube gear? I’m under the impression that LampizatOr being Polish is ubiquitous at shows in Europe, invariably with top end systems, and has a good following there. VAC being American (Florida), I’m not sure about, although in the U.S. their amps/preamps often show with Lampi and Von Schweikert speakers.
Hello Gene. We don’t review or compare tube equipment a lot. We’ve done some comparisons or used equipment with a tube in the past, but it is not our field of knowledge.
I do know that, although tube is being associated with ‘warm sounding’, it varies a lot too, depending on the design.
But although Grimm is very open sounding, natural and agile, in character it would probably not fit what most lovers of tube based components are looking for.
It’s funny, Hans Beekhuyzen characterized the MU1 as warm and in his comments said the MU2 is the same.
I would say it sounds very fluid and natural. Easy going… But not warm.
Thanks. Btw, your notification system doesn’t work.
Hey Gene! What notification system are you referring to?
I had a grimm mu1 on test, it wasn’t a bad device, but I personally don’t like what’s inside the box and the mu2 didn’t convince me either, no linear power supply, too small a box and too few parts which in my opinion are not worth 18000eur, MU1 played clean, detailed but to me it was a bit sterile and clinical and also thin with less space. For a similar price, I finally bought the playbackdesigns MPD8, which seems to me more musical, fatter and at the same time very detailed, but I would definitely like to listen to the MU2 as well
The number of parts is definitely not a criterium in my book. I will never understand people judging equipment like that. Just use your ears, as far as I am concerned.
not quite, why should I pay 18k for cheap accessories, for example? just because of the brand? I agree that parts are not everything, but there are manufacturers who worship a lot for nothing
I’m not saying it’s a case of grimm, I heard mu1 and my ears said, for example, this is not the sound you want
There is a sound for everyone. If we all like the same, it would be boring, right?
Yes of course 😉
Maybe it was not the sound that you needed. It’s always the combination of a whole lot of parameters from which the Grimm takes a few. It could be a mismatch with your setup no matter the quality level. The most important thing is to level the equipment and the room to a certain level. Find a good balance and from there it’s a matter of tuning. In the end it’s always difficult to point out which device is most natural and which is less. This is where reviews kick in. I think the ultimate sound should be for everyone’s taste.
True
Hi, I know Bruno Putzeys has worked together with the people at Grimm and I think as designers they are a little bit of the same school. In Bruno’s Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC he has also some novel ways of doing D/A conversion. It would be interesting to hear if there are similarities in the sound of the Grimm MU2 D/A converter compared to Mola Mola Tambaqui.
It sounds like the Grimm MU2 D/A converter is really special. If it’s that good it would be of interest to see a pure consumer D/A for all of us that don’t stream. It sounds like Grimm are already doing D/A converters for professional use. Best regards.
I have heard the Tambaqui a few times, but I am not very familiar with it. I have heard a lot of different DA converters though, and I cannot recall any other DA converter that doesn’t sound so unlike a DA converter as the MU2. So that rules out the Tambaqui as well.
It is very hard to put down in words. No, it isn’t like vinyl. No, it doesn’t sound ‘more analogue’. It is not HiFi anymore. It is ‘just music’.
Informative review. Before I upgraded from ATC SCM 40A to the 50 ASLT (and subs), I questioned others online about the Grimm active speaker(s). In particular, I asked if it had at least a touch of warmth, which I find need of for musical enjoyment vs. hardware listening. Without exception, Grimm owners steered me away. In light of that, I’m wondering where the MU2 fits in. I currently use a Lampi Golden Gate 3 dac, VAC Master preamp and modified digital only Oppo as a primary source for CDs and files from an SSD (USB). Streaming is in the future. Thanks,
Hi Gene, if you are looking for warm(ish) sound, the MU2 is not for you. The MU2 is very natural and neutral. I don’t know the equipment you are listing, so I have no auditory reference.