Media Server Reviews

Grimm Audio MU1 music streamer Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Music streamer/Roon endpoint with Intel i3 processor and 4GB RAM running Linux and Roon Core, 3.5", 480×320 pixel, color TFT display, and optional internal SSD for music data storage. Digital audio outputs: two AES/ EBU (multichannel capable, with switchable volume control) and one Grimm LS1. Digital audio inputs: one each AES/EBU, coaxial S/PDIF, TosLink S/PDIF. Other inputs/outputs: FM cable input; Ethernet network port; 2 USB ports; 3.5mm socket for external IR remote sensor. All sample rates and formats supported. Tidal, Qobuz, and Spotify Connect support. Functions include "ultra high precision" 2× or 4× upsampling of 1Fs and 2Fs PCM data and downsampling of DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, and DXD data to 2Fs or 4Fs PCM, all with "Pure Nyquist" decimation filter. Clock jitter: <0.6ps RMS (>10Hz). Power consumption: 17W (normal use), 50W maximum.
Dimensions: 14" (355mm) W × 3.9" (85mm) H × 11.6" (295mm) D. Weight: 9.9lb (4.5kg).
Finish: Matte black anodized aluminum with bronze-colored control disc.
Serial number of unit reviewed: 13-0.002.123, firmware MU1 v1.2.14. "Manufactured in The Netherlands."
Price: $10,500 without internal storage. A 1TB SSD adds $225; 2TB SSD adds $430; 4TB SSD adds $805. Approximate number of dealers: 3 in the US, also sold direct. Warranty: 5 years.
Manufacturer: Grimm Audio BV, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Tel: (+31) 40 213 1562. Web: grimmaudio.com.

COMPANY INFO
Grimm Audio BV
Eindhoven
The Netherlands
(+31) 40 213 1562
grimmaudio.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
dumbordumber's picture
Submitted by dumbordumber on February 25, 2021 - 2:26am

A lot appears to have been spent on the casing of this item, particularly the top. However, the interior is a very different kettle of fish. It looks lashed together. Standard length cables, folded and cable-tied. The DC, digital and signal cables are all unprotected from RF and EMI. The casing interior has no damping of any sort, no special layout, or suspension of circuit boards, just old-school steel pillars. In fact the interior of this device largely looks like a computer that has been assembled from fairly standard off-the-shelf components by your local computer shop. I have no doubt that it sounds good if those components are well matched and well chosen, and if the power supplies are decent. But so do many home built computers costing far less. This really is a lamb in wolf's clothing.
If I had bought this device and not known what was inside, I would have been expecting, for the price, something akin to Naim's layout and military wiring. If I had opened it up and found what lay inside, my face would have looked...well, Grim.

Jack L's picture
Submitted by Jack L on March 22, 2021 - 9:33am

Hi

I concur with yr candid comment: "grim" - uninviting !

It should sound superb as reflected from its lofty price. Yet its so-so internal fabrication looks like some "of-the-shelf" stuff built by a neighbourhood computer repair shop. Hopefully it's actually "a lamb in wolf's clothing" !!

I said so from my recent experience. Just 2 weeks back I got a very basic DAC of an audio unknown brand-name in New York for an unbelievable very dirt crappie price from Amazon.

I acquired it sorta for 'fun' as digital is always my back burner music source vs vinyl classical music I addicted to.

It got basic Toslink & coaxial input & unbalanced RCA audio O/P & earphone jack featuring no-joke 24bit 192KHz sampling rate with 3 year free warranty.

Beyond my expectation for such crappie price, this New Yorker sounds pretty decent with its coaxial input & audio O/P hooked up to my design/built phono-linestage with straight-line bypass mode ON.

This Little David from New York makes ALL my CDs & DVDs sound so much better than before ! WoW. So pleasantly surprised !!

Play digital smart, dear consumers !

Listening is believing

Jack L

Jack L's picture
Submitted by Jack L on March 22, 2021 - 9:48am

Hi

Despite its very dirt cheapie price vs it's decent sound, this litte no-name New Yorker DAC is built in a small all-aluminum box so rigid & strong with 'seamless' corner joints looked like 100% watertight !!!!

So gratified !

Jack L

mememe2's picture
Submitted by mememe2 on February 25, 2021 - 5:57am

"$10,500 without internal storage". Two hoary homilies come to mind - 1. More money than brains and 2. You can put lipstick on a pig but it's still just a pig.

cgh's picture
Submitted by cgh on February 25, 2021 - 6:08am

Knowing nothing about the manufacturing process I was surprised, many years ago, to learn how expensive it is to make the box. I happened to be at a manufacturer's plant in CO after a RMAF when these parts came back from being dipped in acid and anodized.

Anyway, that's an attractive box IMO. The top reminds me of those popular pictures attempting to explain general relativity (curvature related to stress energy). Guessing it isn't cheap to make.

Jack L's picture
Submitted by Jack L on March 22, 2021 - 12:53pm

Hi

So comparing the "off-the-shelf" like fabrication quality of its inart, how much as a consumer like you, would guess to pay for the for the box alone ? Say 60% ??

Are we paying our hard-erned money for the music or its "attractive" box ?

By the same token, the dirt dirt cheap price I paid for my basic 24bit192KHz DAC of New York which sounds so decent, is built in a small "water-tight" aluminum box strong & rigid like a miniature tank. Where the manufacturer got the money to cover the cost of the box alone ??

Jack L

Jack L's picture
Submitted by Jack L on March 22, 2021 - 12:53pm

Hi

So comparing the "off-the-shelf" like fabrication quality of its inart, how much as a consumer like you, would guess to pay for the for the box alone ? Say 60% ??

Are we paying our hard-erned money for the music or its "attractive" box ?

By the same token, the dirt dirt cheap price I paid for my basic 24bit192KHz DAC of New York which sounds so decent, is built in a small "water-tight" aluminum box strong & rigid like a miniature tank. Where the manufacturer got the money to cover the cost of the box alone ??

Jack L

partain's picture
Submitted by partain on February 25, 2021 - 6:48am

Unlike in the political universe , where never do promises of benefits "trickling down" come to fruition , Trickling down is inevitable in electronics.
Good thing.
I'd be willing to pay $700.00 , or so .

AaronGarrett's picture
Submitted by AaronGarrett on February 25, 2021 - 1:08pm

I have one and my experience exactly mirrors JA. On low resolution material like streaming radio, which I listen to a lot, the difference is enormous upsampled via AES/EBU. Stuff I couldn't listen to I now really enjoy. For me this alone is worth it, I can enjoy a lot more music than I could without the MU-1. In addition for Native DSD it is great. And although JA didn't mention it (because it is not presently a feature) it will be able to do FM radio as well and be a very full-functioning digital preamp.

But as JA says also there are a lot of other very serviceable and cheaper solutions if this isn't an issue for you.

davemill's picture
Submitted by davemill on February 26, 2021 - 5:17pm

I am looking forward to the release of the Boulder 812 which will additional provide balanced analog inputs and will be at a LOWER price point. I refuse to spent that amount for this type of device unless it is engineered and manufactured in the US which the 812will be and will no doubt perform extraordinary well.

Dear Stereophile Administrator, the CAPCHA authentication process at least for MacOS and iOS devices using Safari needs to be fixed. For at least six months, I have always had to use the forgotten password process to log in even though I am entering the correct password. This is a security issue.

Foottapper's picture
Submitted by Foottapper on February 26, 2021 - 2:42pm

Hi John, thanks for the review. Since a couple of months I’m thrilled to have the MU1 at home, just love the ease of use ánd jaw dropping sound. Any chance that you’ll review the LS1be’s?

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