For whom?
Contents
Who is the target group of Grimm Audio at the MU1? We see a target group with either a set of LS1be that is ready for a high quality source, and/or a target group that wants simplicity and minimalism. Especially when the MU2 and MU3 will be there soon. Then the MU really is a central hub. Please note that the MU1 costs around 10,000 euros and that the MU2 and MU3 will therefore cost (significantly) more. It will therefore be a target group with the willingness to invest a serious amount of money.
But that target group is there. After all: all high-end brands have a streamer in their assortment. Think Aurender, Auralic, dCS, Lumin, NAIM, Linn… go on and on. Is the MU1 a special appetite, then? Yeah. In some ways, yes. Think of the versatility and the special and very effective upsampling and clock that knows how to make music from any digital source.
Conclusion
Some reviews are ticking themselves. This can be positive or negative. But fortunately it is often positive. The Grimm Audio MU1 can not just be caught. That's not so much because of the musical performance: they are excellent. Rather, it is a challenge to capture the way of playing and performing in words. That is really difficult in this case. Because... how do you explain that the Grimm Audio MU1 creates a feeling? That the difference with a 'normal' streamer is not a matter of sound ... but more the touching of the essence of the piece? Yeah... that's that. But that's what we're talking about with the MU1.We hope that Grimm will soon be able to dot the 'i' in the software. Then he'll be up to speed with the LS1be... ...or flawless.
My hope is that there will be more than just a slight sonic improvement. Noting that the Weiss 501 will up sample to 195Mhz and use its own low jitter clock, on data it receives from the Grimm via AES/EBU connection.
The MU1 is not a slight improvement. It is – not kidding – the best streamer I have ever heard.
Fingers crossed! Thank you for your thoughts and feedback
Welcome!
Hi Jaap, great review.
I know you have reviewed both the MU1 and Weiss DAC 501. I’m wondering if you had ever paired the MU1 with the Weiss and could offer your impressions? I have a Weiss DAC501 Mk 2 version and am very interested in the Grimm product.
Sorry… I havent tried that combination. But I can imagine its absolutely gorgeous.
Jaap, I am currently in the process of sourcing a few AES/EBU cables to use for connecting my Weiss 501 to the Grimm MU1 (I now have one on order which will be delivered in about 2 weeks :).
I’m wondering of you have any feedback on the following few cables which I so far plan to trial – Transparent Reference G6, Nordost Valhalla 2, Cardas Clear? Or, do you have any other suggestions you recommend are worth a listen to?. FYI, the interconnects I have from my Weiss to my Genelec G5 speakers are Cardas Clear Beyond balanced XLR cables, which were sublime to my ears.
I havent tested any of those. Sorry. I mostly use Grimm TPR for AES/EBU. It is fine for my testing purposes. But I guess it is not good enough in your setup.
I am curious what you think of the MU1 please let us know!
That’s ok Jaap:) Ultimately it will be my ears that decide in the end. But I thought it was definitely worth asking you just in case you have ever found a certain cable that was extraordinary from your point of view, and hence worth adding to the list to explore.
I will be happy to share with you how it all goes!