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Grimm Audio’s reputation preceded its fame. This is a cliché about the purest Dutch water, but that doesn’t make it any less true. The team in Veldhoven is alone, even worldwide, when it comes to “processing” the digital audio signal. And given the astonishing results, Grimm Audio is also being viewed with suspicion around the world. The latest marvel is called MU2 and, in short, it combines the digital process with the conversion to analogue, using the well-known DAC. The “best DAC ever” has been making waves in the world of high-end audio since its introduction. What do the ears think?
It is the intention of every reviewer to act as if the introduction to the subject to be described is the first. That is of course not the case. In addition, prejudices play a major role, “biased”, as it is called in English. And subjectivity can never be eradicated, especially when it comes to auditory perception. No, this story is not based on an introduction to the MU2 or the rest of Grimm Audio’s oeuvre.
Eelco Grimm
I still remember the first real confrontation with the MU1 compared to a counterpart that was equally impressive in terms of quality and price. Was stunned. I had no idea that the inadequacies of the digital realm could be reduced to the level of an (almost?) purely analog experience. This first impression was preceded by a listening session and demonstration by Everett Porter in The Hague at Listening Matters and was later confirmed by the necessary visits. They’re all too funny and graphic not to mention. Herewith.
Everett Porter is a sound engineer for the Concertgebouw Orchestra and works in the Concertgebouw’s studio on Van Baerlestraat in the capital. In his studio there is the same setup as the set with which he gave his demonstration in The Hague, the active loudspeaker Grimm Audio LS1 (then in an earlier version) in 5.1 surround. The LS1 was later superseded by the LS1be, but that’s beside the point.
Introduction MU1
Everett demonstrated the superiority of his skills and what struck me at first was the feeling that I was actually sitting in the world-famous main hall of the Concertgebouw, even though I had actually traveled to The Hague by train.
Bicycle kick
This feeling was later confirmed in the cave of the analog experience: Analogue Audio Products in Nieuwegein. Just the name. Amid a selection of tube amplifiers and turntables on Wim van Kraanen’s domain was an MU1 connected to a tube DAC converter. In fact, he demonstrated exclusively with this purely digital device. Without further ado, digital, in a purely analogue experience.
A little later I was able to visit the Grimm Audio laboratory in Veldhoven. With the same feeling, I left the building again and wrote a report for HVT. ‘On the border of analogue‘ was the title. I have found that it covers the load well. On the way back I rode in the car next to Eelco Grimm. The MU2 is in the pipeline, he said. Planned world premiere during the high-end show in Munich. So far I have been able to experience Grimm Audio’s work via the purely digital MU1, often connected to the LS1 (later LS1be), which has a digital input. In any case, the MU2 would be expanded with a DAC. The first meeting with the newcomer took place a little later.
The debut was a combination with the PMC Fact Fenestria, powered by two Halcro power amplifiers. The second experience in the same set. The third and fourth with the same amplifier, but now entrusted to a top model from VIVID, the GIYA G1 Spirit. All sessions left a waterproof imprint on the eardrum. I will try to express these impressions in relevant language, but not before Grimm Audio has its say through the technical information, most of which can also be read on the website, supplemented by Hans Beekhuyzen’s insights on an excellent YouTube presentation available on of the website At the time of writing, this review has been published online.
Coffee
But first this. Dealing with this matter at this level presents an esoteric trap. As if this kind of device is reserved for experts and idiots. Suddenly start using all sorts of fancy words yourself. But nothing is less true. Anyone who enjoys listening to music feels that playing records is more fun. Not just because of the physical aspect, but precisely because of the sound. As if digitalization were taking something away. The latter is not entirely true. It also adds something that doesn’t belong there and masks the soundstage.
Grimm Audio does nothing other than smooth out these bumps. Everyone, without exception, hears the result. The experience of the digital audio signal, whether via computer, CD or streaming, returns to the analog experience of yesterday, without all the disadvantages associated with this technology and with much, much more depth. In fact, it’s as if there are no electronics between the musicians and the listener. They camp out in the living room and ask if the coffee is ready yet. Nothing more, nothing less.
What is the Grimm Audio MU2? Veldhoven comments on the border on the website: “The MU2 combines a music streamer with an excellent DAC and a reference quality analog preamplifier. The integrated DAC takes full advantage of Grimm Audio’s low-jitter clock and powerful FPGA processor.’
FPGA stands for “Field-Programmable Gate Array”. You might immediately forget this term, but at Grimm Audio this flexible platform stands for a unique, completely individual interpretation.
‘A relay-based analog volume control allows the MU2 to maintain true volume ‘hub‘ Your hi-fi system for both digital and analogue sources. Just like its sister product, the ‘Digital output’ “MU1, a Roon Labs Core server, is on board, so no external computer is required to enjoy perfect streaming.”
Coffee was poured
Grimm Audio further says: “At the heart of the MU2 is Grimm Audio’s proprietary Major DAC. It features a groundbreaking discrete design that makes the most of our own FPGA board.” (That’s it!) “Uniquely, our high-resolution Pure Nyquist upsampling filters are equipped with a fundamentally flawless 11th order noise shaper of 1, 5 bits combined. If you would like to learn more about this technology, please check out the Major DAC blog.
I would definitely do the latter.
“This means the MU2 reproduces micro details so well that a deep emotional connection to the musical performance is created.” The stereo image is of groundbreaking quality. Its serenity invites you to enjoy longer listening sessions.” That sounds like a sales pitch, but Grimm Audio hits the nail on the head with these words and it fits my own experience exactly. That’s the point.
I listened to the MU2 exclusively through the built-in streamer, on countless tracks selected by importer Bert Bazuin and Eelco Grimm. I have to say, the combination with the PMC Fact Fenestria left the most impression.
Most of the choices I had never heard of before; always nice, a new acquaintance. A recording selected by Eelco with Han Bennink on drums gave me goosebumps. I had recently heard this incredibly good drummer play live (a concert on the occasion of his 80th birthday, yes, yes, at the Roode Bioscoop on Amsterdam’s Haarlemmerplein). It sounded like the tireless genius was giving an encore at the Artone Studio in Haarlem, where the MU2 screening was taking place.
Bob Ludwig
Another recording also left a deep impression. During the Audio Show iEar’ 2023, the MU2 was put in the spotlight with the VIVID GIYA G1 Spirit. Bert Bazuin offers musicians a stage, also as part of the presentation of the great brands that Terrason Audio offers. And in Tilburg the honor went to Minco Eggersman and Theodoor Borger with their production UNIFONY III, which also features Moya Brennan, the singer we know from Clannad, and the beautiful “Theme from Harry’s Game”.
Very special: Bob Ludwig mastered the album. UNIFONY III was the last production from this legendary top mastering engineer before his retirement. The whole thing was created in collaboration with Grimm Audio. Great quality, both in terms of music, recording and playback.
Just one thing
A few more technical notes. You can also find all information about the inputs and outputs on the Grimm Audio website. There are two analog stereo inputs, both XLR and RCA, complemented by three digital inputs: AES/EBU and S/PDIF, the latter both coaxial and optical in TOSLINK. Please note that the base of the MU2 is an analog preamplifier. The DAC at a lonely height is one of the additional components. There is also a headphone output and a remote control with infrared technology. All sample rates and formats are supported. Internal SSD storage is optional. External USB and NAS storage is welcome.
Diploma
The main conclusion has to be that the MU2 is the best thing my ears have heard in this area so far. Again partly from subjective observation: Anyone who chooses this level has to pay 18,000 euros and that is and remains a lot of money. Noblesse obliges, this amount is completely worth the result. The analog experience is one step closer. I’m interested in two things: How will the competition react and what is the next step for this wonderful company that has already achieved so many miracles?
Grimm Audio MU2
18,000 euros | www.terrason-audio.nl
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