FredM

Darko’s podcast with Eelco Grimm about the MU2 is available: https://darko.audio/2024/09/podcast-whats-going-on-inside-an-e18000-streaming-dac/ An interesting interview for sure, with nice insights on the level of detail and the collective experience that has been put in the design. The importance to have control over the various elements in the chain/signal path is made apparent. Grimm’s passion for quality playback is obvious, where every detail matters, with a ‘quite nice’ result 👍

Nice to share, some ‘quite’ positive write-ups on the MU1 and MU2 that have been published during the summer: Twitteringmachines (MU1) https://twitteringmachines.com/in-barn-for-good-grimm-audio-mu1-music-player/ Audio Accessory (MU2) https://www.phileweb.com/sp/news/audio/202407/02/25502.html Hifi Knights (MU2) http://hifiknights.com/reviews/sources/grimm-audio-mu-2/ In addition Stereophile has awarded the MU2 as an A+ level recommended component of the Year 👍

I don’t have the answer, as I understand the MU2 is designed with Grimm’s discrete ‘Major DAC’, which is -in short-partnered with the FPGA/calculations. It’s a different approach. You can have a look at the design documents/blogs on Grimm’s website. Like this one: https://www.grimmaudio.com/publications/the-mu2-major-dac/ (in general: to compare from a technical/spec point of view has its challenges and limitations, as the outcome always depends on the full design and implementation). Good to mention, Darko Audio announced an interview/podcast with Eelco Grimm about the MU2 and its Major DAC. Perhaps your question will be covered. https://darko.audio/2024/09/in-berlin-for-review-the-grimm-mu2/

@stevebythebay @Ronnie112 I fully relate with the darkness preference. I have the MU1 tucked away in a cabinet behind sliding doors, a kinda physical darkness mode slider/button, haha

In seems another MU2 review is around the corner. In this Darko video -about the relevance of large (touch)screens on devices- the MU2 is mentioned and placed in his rack 👍 ps. Imho large (touch)screen are only relevant when in use as a desktop device. In other cases a phone, tablet or tv make more sense (I think this echos Johns summary). Besides Roon for daily use, the MU1 web interface is very easy to use (for the rare occasion that I need to do something, similar to the LS1’s). I guess I would only like to see a ‘popup’ notification when a MU soft/firmware update is available. But I guess I’m splitting hairs, Grimm also mentions available updates in their mailing, this also works.

The MU2 review is now available at Stereophile 👍 https://www.stereophile.com/content/grimm-audio-mu2-streaming-preamplifier

Perhaps more information on uPnP/DNLA will be available with the summer update. I’m curious how it will work compared to Roon; SQ, UX and how easy the player software can be selected (as Roon supports 3 other music zones at home with Roon ARC for commuting)

Indeed, the emotional connection with music is just something special. That’s what it’s all about imho (with no need for dissective listening or overemphasising /compensating certain area’s). Thanks for mentioning @PYP, it’s quite funny to re-read my first experience with the MU1 after a while. Happy to share that the goosebumps / chills remained ever since btw 😃, just sit back and enjoy the rides! ps I also noticed this quoted part above. Grimm walks the talk: Recently Grimm announced a big upcoming software/firmware/DSP update for existing LS1 speaker systems (around this summer). Great dedication to (continue) supporting existing owners 👍

It sure seems promising 👍, looking forward to read the full Stereophile article: https://www.grimmaudio.com/reviews/stereophile-mu2-delivers-thrills-and-chills/

1+ Sonic behaviour absolutely key At the 2023 Dutch Audio Event I was able to attent to Grimm’s MU2 presentation in the auditorium. The Grimm designers/engineers (Gertjan Groot Hulze and Pieter Meijer) had a very insightful story 😀. Much of the technical subjects went over my head, but I can remember quite a lot straight lines/linear graphs in the presentation (as in: pretty true to the source/artist intend).

I suspect that the MU1 fits the LS1 speakers best. I recall that Eelco once mentioned that the MU1 was developed as-one with the LS1 speakers as thé go-to digital source (and ease their choice to select a perfect front end at demo/shows). Next to the LS1’s the MU1 of course also does its magic with 3rd party DAC’s. With more and more MU1/DAC users moving to the MU2, it’s an interesting indicator how powerful an end-to-end design is. The LS1 has a keen design imho, as with the MU1/MU2 there is quite a lot going on in 1 speaker (where drivers, amps, DAC’s, DSP, .. are tuned as one). In the context of your question, I think it’s worthwhile to highlight the LS1 inputs. The LS1’s support various digital inputs: USB, XLR and of course the proprietary input from the MU1. The digital signal is converted to analogue at the very end of the path (just before entering the amps). Each driver has its own DAC and Amp. Next to the LS1’s digital inputs it’s also possible to connect an analogue source (turntable, MU2, ..), the analogue signal will be converted to digital at the entrance, where after it is processed as digital and converted back to analogue just before the amps (similar to an digital source path, with a DAC and Amp for each driver). If I would guess, I think that a full digital signal path using Grimm’s proprietary connection from MU1 to the LS1 would be beneficial compared with an analogue input. In the upcoming LS1 software/firmware/DSP update, insights from the MU2 development are used to further optimize the LS1 (as shared in the ‘press release’). For more in-depth information on the LS1 speaker systems, a lot design choices and details are available on the Grimm website. LS1be overview: https://www.grimmaudio.com/hifi-products/loudspeakers/ls1be/ LS1 White paper: https://www.grimmaudio.com/wordpress/publications/speakers-white-paper/ LS1 manual: https://www.grimmaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/Manual-LS1-EN-V3.00.pdf MU1 & LS1Be review: https://www.grimmaudio.com/reviews/hifipig-5-hearts-for-ls1be-mu1/ To add: MU1 digital out is connected to “L/R” in the diagram (dark grey dot), via Grimms proprietary connection. The “switches” in the diagram (on the left) are small optional devices to increase flexibility and easily connect additional sources (eg on a desktop). The LS1 also have its own analogue and digital connection in the speaker itself.

I’m also very curious how the new LS1c sound, can’t wait to hear them 🙂

Indeed, the match with the MU2 wil be nothing to worry about 👍

Pssst, it seems the Grimm Audio product line up might be expanded with an Amplifier (time stamped link below)

Many tanks for sharing 👍. This is just awesome, above and beyond! Great to see Grimm’s innovation and commitment to support and improve existing models. Peter van Willenswaard is very very respected in The Netherlands. The PW1 should be nothing less than a masterpiece phone stage. And what to say about the new LS1c active speakers? From the very first moment I just loved the LS1be’s. Without a doubt my favourite hifi product/purchase ever, a gem, I never looked at another speaker since. I’m still touched with goosebumps. And now the LS1 is even further improved. With ‘driven to improve’ as their motto, Grimm really continu to deliver, on all cylinders. Besides introducing the new flagship LS1c’s, it’s great that the software, firmware and DSP improvements are made available for the whole Grimm LS1 family. Big kudos! I’m keen to learn more, can’t wait to see the PW1 and LS1c’s impressions from the High end event in Munich. Based on the article the (modest) team went above and beyond. And of course, I’m looking forward to update my LS1’s later on 👍. If I remember correctly, earlier you have been drawn to the Grimm LS1’s route (synergy with the MU1 is top notch). With the new LS1c, I can imagine it will be ‘quite’ interesting to arrange a demo 😃. Great times ahead 🥳

All, many thanks for your swift responses 😀 If you tried the OMD with the MU1-2 already, I’m interested in your findings (do you have other network devices in the chain?) When possible, perhaps you could try the 5V USB Output from the MU as a comparison. If you have a USB to DC plug cable laying around of course. Ah thanks for sharing, if the ER is considered to have more impact than the OMD, it gives an valuable image of the OMD performance (where Hans Beekhuyzen did remove his ER in favour of the Muon Pro, in an attempt to understand a ‘hierarchy’. But the Muon Pro would be another route , I’m keen to see/learn if the OMD might be an option to discover now ). Did you try the OMD with the MU? When I started using fiber, I preferred it compared with a normal house hold network setup. I also have a spare Netgear switch (with fiber and RJ45 ports) laying around, I guess could just try it with a network cable. The switch has an internal PSU and its own mains cable (so no 5V USB option). Or I cloud have a look at an all RJ45 Netgear switch, I believe in an Alpha Audio test a small Netgear model was doing very good (and can likely be powered with 5V)

Out of curiosity, who has experienced the Sonore Optical Module? Perhaps even compared with other devices? https://www.sonore.us/opticalModule-Deluxe.html Currently I’m using a normal/basic fiber converter, which is powered via the 5V USB port from the MU1. I prefer to use fiber isolation powered by the MU1’s 5V output. As the Sonore Optical Module accepts 5-9V input, I’m wondering if it could be an interesting replacement. I’m not aware of other ‘audiophile’ 5V fiber converters. Keen to hear your thoughts 🙂

To add, at the Dutch Audio Event last year the Grimm Audio room was set up with 5 LS1 speakers around. It just sounded breathtaking, what an experience. I envy the work space of the TRPTK recording/mastering engineer, what a treat 😃 Ps. At the DAE the only drawback was that sometimes visitors in the demo room where standing directly in front of the rear speakers. @Eelco, as a suggestion, perhaps a marking on the floor (with tape or something) could help to keep the space open (that said, at busy times with quite a lot of visitors standing behind the seats, it probably won’t work very well). Or perhaps go for timed surround demo slots, with a maximum number of listeners in the room (which of course also has its downsides). DAE Visitor tip: with the Grimm room traditionally at the far end of the main entrance, best to visit Grimm directly at the start (with the majority of the event visitors still at the beginning).

“ A round of LS1’s please” 🎼🎵 (work in progress, with the longer studio leg length)

I think the dark things in the corner are bass traps, probably the RTFS Big Block absorbers to be very specific (the square roundish blocks near the walls are the Sirrah absorber/diffusers from RTFS, at home I use 4 of them). I wouldn’t be surprised when both acoustic products are from RTFS. Thanks for the music tip, will have a listen 👍

Just noticed that the TRPTK label uses Grimm LS1be speakers & subs 😎 (photo from their Facebook acccount) For more info on TRPTK and its music, please have a look at https://trptk.com (=recommended, they have a great collection quality stereo and surround music). In addition, our ‘own’ AudiophileStyle has also covered the label in two articles 👍 part 1 https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/immersive/immersive-and-stereo-musical-gems-trptk-edition-part-1-r1190/ part 2 https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/immersive/immersive-and-stereo-musical-gems-trptk-edition-part-2-r1191/?tab=comments#comment-1244173

Thanks for sharing your experience👍. That’s what it is all about, finding your personal favourites, in your room with your other gear (no such thing as an overall ‘best’). Enjoy your new Accuphase C3900 pre amp as soon as you have received it 😀

Just to share: For my modest music collection ( <2 TB), I added an extra account on my Microsoft Office 365 family licence to make a backup in the cloud (music and Roon backup). The Microsoft 365 family subscription allows 6 members in total, standard with 1 TB each. I also have an annual local backup on a HDD, just in case.

Another very insightful MU2 chat, this time Guido dives in the analog design and implementation. Even for me (as a non-tech guy) interesting subjects are covered 👍. Part 2: ps. @TheAttorney, as a bonus, the headphone output is also briefly discussed 😀

The story about the MU2, nice insights in the Digital Part 👍