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  1. #1
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    Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    'Listening Matters' is the new name of Chattelin Audio.
    Ben Van Leliveld took over the whole business, and I think it will even thrive more now.

    The streamer that piqued my interest at a couple of events: Grimm Audio MU1:




    It is of course a streamer, but it promises to be much more.
    It is also a high quality upsampling device. Grimm's opinion is that if the DAC doesn't have to do that heavy duty, you'll get less calculation mistakes in the D/A conversion.
    Further, its FLL clocks are top quality. Grimm is known for its professional clocks, used in recording studios.
    It is a Roon core server.
    And in future updates (in the next months), it will be a multi-channel streamer, and FM radio too.

    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

  2. #2
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    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    The price of admission is quite steep, a bit less than 10K euro without SSD, a bit more than 10K with SSD (up to 4 Tb).
    But if you look at clocks and upsamplers of other top brands (like Auralic, dCS, Esoteric, MSB, Chord), it suddenly makes more sense.
    And you avoid the additional cables, as it is an all-in-one device.

    We listened to the MU1 that sent its bits to the Hegel H590.
    This is the amplifier/DAC that we use at home nowadays.
    Speakers: Vivid Audio Kaya 45.
    Cabling: Furutech mostly.

    We also used a CEC CD-transport to get an impression of the quality of the clocks and upsampling of the MU1.




    The KEF LS50 wireless stood there to see the possibilities that Roon offers.
    More about that later.
    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

  3. #3
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    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague






    First track came from this album:




    Marvellous!
    Of course, not everything is comparable to our system at home.
    The room is different, cabling also.

    But there was the Vivid sound and I do know the Hegel sound too.
    Our G2 Giyas offer a bit more body and delicacy than their more modest brothers Kaya 45.
    What impressed me here was that there was quite a lot more separation and soundstage depth than I'm used to hear at home.
    It was all a bit more lifelike also.

    We were in for another surprise.
    We thought the album was on the server of the store, but when we checked the pathway in Roon, we saw it was an 'ordinary' Tidal stream!

    These findings were confirmed when I put the following album in the CEC tray:




    'Black Coffee' is a fantastic piece of jazz.
    Just Ella plus piano.
    Her voice was more present in the room than I could remember having ever heard.


    This effect became even stronger in the first piece of 'Folk Singer':




    The only audiophile blues album it is sometimes called.
    I had never heard the venue so well.

    Wow, the MU1 transforms CDs into terrific source material!
    And Tidal or Qobuz streams undergo the same metamorphosis.
    10K seemed more and more reasonable...


    From above:




    The gold coloured knob in the middle serves as source selector.
    Can be pushed and turned.

    .
    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

  4. #4
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    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    As the MU1 also is a Roon core, we tried it out with other end points.




    The KEF LSX is an attractive little active speaker with an amazing soundstage and stereo image for such a little thing. And it does do bass!






    1200€ for a pair.
    For our kitchen...? :scratch2:

    .
    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

  5. #5
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    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    Next: KEF LS50 wireless.
    Bigger sound of course.




    2300€ for a pair.
    I liked it even more than the passive version, driven by a Hegel H120.
    A hifi bargain!

    The MU1 didn't object to switching and altering Roon endpoints one single bit.
    Ben even demonstrated the 3 playing together, all different things (internet radio, streaming services).
    A cacophony for sure, but an indication that the MU1 interiors do function, even if it is still a work in progress.
    Updates come rapidly though.

    When you add a multi-channel DAC - like Exasound or Merging Nadac Anubis - you'll have a great surround streaming system, that will do almost every file available now.
    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

  6. #6
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    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    Some other impressions of the store.

    Zanden, oh so photogenic:













    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

  7. #7
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    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague






    Ben, thank you for the time you took to explain the basics of upsampling, streaming via Roon, jitter, clocking, etc.!

    Conclusion

    The MU1 has become a top candidate for us, as it does/will do all the things we want in our system.
    For high quality surround sound, this is a device that can not be overlooked.
    But also for stereo only audiophiles this is a must audition!
    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

  8. #8

    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    Quote Originally Posted by bart View Post
    As the MU1 also is a Roon core, we tried it out with other end points.




    The KEF LSX is an attractive little active speaker with an amazing soundstage and stereo image for such a little thing. And it does do bass!






    1200€ for a pair.
    For our kitchen...? :scratch2:

    .
    Have the Kef LSX in an additional TV room, can only recommend them.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    “Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”

    Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.

    Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.

    HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.

  9. #9

    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    Quote Originally Posted by bart View Post





    First track came from this album:




    Marvellous!
    Of course, not everything is comparable to our system at home.
    The room is different, cabling also.

    But there was the Vivid sound and I do know the Hegel sound too.
    Our G2 Giyas offer a bit more body and delicacy than their more modest brothers Kaya 45.
    What impressed me here was that there was quite a lot more separation and soundstage depth than I'm used to hear at home.
    It was all a bit more lifelike also.

    We were in for another surprise.
    We thought the album was on the server of the store, but when we checked the pathway in Roon, we saw it was an 'ordinary' Tidal stream!

    These findings were confirmed when I put the following album in the CEC tray:




    'Black Coffee' is a fantastic piece of jazz.
    Just Ella plus piano.
    Her voice was more present in the room than I could remember having ever heard.


    This effect became even stronger in the first piece of 'Folk Singer':




    The only audiophile blues album it is sometimes called.
    I had never heard the venue so well.

    Wow, the MU1 transforms CDs into terrific source material!
    And Tidal or Qobuz streams undergo the same metamorphosis.
    10K seemed more and more reasonable...


    From above:




    The gold coloured knob in the middle serves as source selector.
    Can be pushed and turned.

    .
    Thanks for sharing your experiences, gave heard good thongs about Grimm.

    Are you now 10K poorer?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    “Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”

    Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.

    Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.

    HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.

  10. #10
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    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    Quote Originally Posted by Kuoppis View Post
    Thanks for sharing your experiences, gave heard good thongs about Grimm.

    Are you now 10K poorer?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

    Not yet purchased.

    Yes, this kind of device can be a gamechanger.
    Not everybody can spend 100K on a MSB or dCS stack...
    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

  11. #11

    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    In case I would go for dCS I would be happy with the Rossini or Bártok. But I think the Grimm would play in the same league.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    “Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”

    Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.

    Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.

    HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.

  12. #12
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    Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    Quote Originally Posted by bart View Post
    Not yet purchased.

    Yes, this kind of device can be a gamechanger.
    Not everybody can spend 100K on a MSB or dCS stack...
    MSB Discrete is $10k and I will tell you, it’s superb. Add a Roon Renderer module and you’re all set (or just stick with USB and your music server if choice). Haven’t heard anything better at it’s price point. The Grimm sounds interesting, I’ll have to check it out. But I’m not sure I would be comfortable buying a digital streaming device from a speaker company. That’s just my two cents.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

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  13. #13
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    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    MSB Discrete is $10k and I will tell you, it’s superb. Add a Roon Renderer module and you’re all set (or just stick with USB and your music server if choice). Haven’t heard anything better at it’s price point. The Grimm sounds interesting, I’ll have to check it out. But I’m not sure I would be comfortable buying a digital streaming device from a speaker company. That’s just my two cents.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Hi Mike,

    They're not really a speaker company.
    Check out their history on the Hans Beekhuyzen channel.
    There is a 13' video that describes their background.
    Their clocks are what made them famous.

    I'm sure the MSB discrete is a killer DAC, but I want something that streams multi-channel also.
    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

  14. #14
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    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    It is a good looking piece. Hope to hear it in Munich.
    _______________

    Mike

    Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
    Analog: Kuzma R, Kuzma 4Point (11”), MSL Ultra Eminent EX
    Phono Pre: Pass XP-27
    Digital: Esoteric N01XD Esoteric K05
    Speakers: MBL 101E MKII
    Subwoofers: REL Carbon Specials
    Conditioner: Shunyata Triton 3
    Power Cables: Shunyata Sigma 1 & 2, Alpha 2, Delta and Venom
    ICs and SCs: Wireworld Platinum 8
    Rack: Artesania Exoteryc

  15. #15
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    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    Quote Originally Posted by Ritmo View Post
    It is a good looking piece. Hope to hear it in Munich.

    They were there last May.
    I'm tempted to go also this year...
    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

  16. #16

    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    Gentlemen, might be nice to meet up. I’m planning to attend this year as well.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    “Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”

    Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.

    Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.

    HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.

  17. #17
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    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    Quote Originally Posted by Kuoppis View Post
    Gentlemen, might be nice to meet up. I’m planning to attend this year as well.

    Good plan!
    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

  18. #18
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    Re: Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

    Eelco Grimm and Guido Tent, Grimm Audio's designers, wrote me that the software update that will allow multi-channel streaming will be launched in 2 more months.
    There is an update before that. It will give the possibility to control the volume over AES and also to decode even more hi-res formats.
    Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld

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Testing the Grimm Audio MU1 streamer at Listening Matters, The Hague

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