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Grimm Audio MU1 and MU2 Music Players

FredM

By FredM
in Music Servers

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FredM

FredM

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2 hours ago, TheAttorney said:

I've only just realised the significance of this.

My DAVE AES input's limit is 96kHz. And I've just checked that my M-Scaler doesn't even have an AES input!

Which severely restricts the options I have with MU1's AES output.

 

The proof of the pudding will be in the hearing, but these limitations (not particularly MU1's fault) mean that I may not get the full potential of the MU1 with my Chord equipment, so may need a Plan B sooner than I had expected ☹️.

 

 

In this fragment you can find an explanation what the FPGA does, and why AES-out is chosen. I don’t know how AES-96 will pair with the DAVE DAC. Indeed, the proof of the pudding is in the hearing 😀


 

 

56 minutes ago, lmitche said:

Greater, for sure.

Somehow I was quoted without typing the message 😁😁😁

 

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matthias

matthias

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3 hours ago, TheAttorney said:

The proof of the pudding will be in the hearing, but these limitations (not particularly MU1's fault) mean that I may not get the full potential of the MU1 with my Chord equipment, so may need a Plan B sooner than I had expected

 

If one likes the concept of MU1 it might be the best to wait for the MU2 since the pairing with the DAC is not perfect (like in your case) 😀

 

Matt

"I want to know why the musicians are on stage, not where". (John Farlowe)

 

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FredM

FredM

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10 hours ago, johnli said:

btw, how are you enjoying your MU1 Fred?


It’s a true pleasure, the experience as I shared earlier still applies. 
 

Which reminds me, as you also use LS1be’s: Recently the Grimm LS1be were tested in a live session, together with two other active speakers (connected with a dCS front end). Great to see the reaction of the listening panel when the LS1’s played, even with goosebumps for the panel. Very familiar 😀


Here you can rewatch the session (the MU1 is also mentioned shortly)


TL;DW

https://www.grimmaudio.com/reviews/alpha-audio-the-ls1be-is-in-its-own-league/

 

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FredM

FredM

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6 hours ago, johnli said:

I'm glad you're enjoying yours too

 

FYI, the LS1 be will have an upgrade in both the DAC board and the subwoofer.

it will cost money!

 

Perhaps techniques from the new MU2 DAC are reused in the LS1be. Interesting for sure, nice to have this upgrade option ahead, curious how it will sound 😀
 

 

4 hours ago, Darryl R said:

Can anyone elaborate on the power supply in the MU1?


Here you go, with thanks to the time stamp from @Alpha Audio😉

 

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matthias

matthias

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2 hours ago, FredM said:


Mid 2021 is mentioned in the interview above (in the timestamp list underneath the video there’s a shortcut: What’s next?)

 

Another question, maybe they addressed it too in the video but I missed it:

When do they launch their own software player as alternative to Roon?

Thanks again

 

Matt

"I want to know why the musicians are on stage, not where". (John Farlowe)

 

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Darryl R

Darryl R

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19 hours ago, FredM said:

Here you go, with thanks to the time stamp from @Alpha Audio😉

 

 

Thanks FredM.  I had hoped for a little more info, but I didn't expect it.  I'm very interested in any breakthrus in SMPS's for the server piece, as I'm so tired of messing with expensive LPS's.  In my case, USB is the best option, and the MSB Pro-ISL/USB interface is integrated with the MSB Femto33 clock.  Hence my interest in the power supply aspect.

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  • 2 months later...
FredM

FredM

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A recent review on Stereophile, including some nice format conversion comparisons with the FPGA board (heart of the MU1).
 

Ps. At home I even use the FPGA board for the FL and FR (active) speakers in a HT-setting 👍 (via Toslink to uncouple the HT gear with the stereo gear)

 

CD

Quote

The same recording, upsampled to 176.4kHz and sent to the MBL DAC via the MU1's AES/EBU connection, was dramatically better. The tonal balance was still warm, but the congestion was reduced, adding depth to the soundstage and increasing the separation between instruments and groups of instruments within that stage.



Lossy

Quote

Even lossy-compressed audio, like the 128kbps stream of BBC Radio 3's Night Tracks program, to which I have become addicted, benefited from the MU1's upsampling.



24/192

Quote

I selected "The Trader" from the Beach Boys' 1973 Holland album, which I had ripped to a 24/192 PCM ALAC file. Now that was intriguing. [...] the sound was noticeably more palpable, with a better sense of rhythm, than the network connection.

 

 

DSD

Quote

I had the same experience with DSD-encoded files, like Christian Tetzlaff and Lars Vogt's superbly idiomatic recording of the Brahms Violin Sonatas (DSD128, Ondine/HDtracks ODE1284-2D). There was simply more there there with the AES/EBU outputs.

 

 

Summary

Quote

[...] And, especially via its upsampled AES/EBU outputs, it sounds superb. For those who can afford it, the Grimm MU1 is a highly recommended digital audio solution.


For the full review:

https://www.stereophile.com/content/grimm-audio-mu1-music-streamer

 

 

 

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FredM

FredM

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In an attempt to share Grimm MU1 news/impressions in this topic, it’s time for a short update:

 

Recently the MU1 is listed on the Stereophile ‘recommended components 2021’, ranked as an ‘A+’ device. 

 

Furthermore it seems Hifi-Advice.com has probably a Grimm MU1 on review, as it’s mentioned in a just released review of the Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC. 

 

“When swapping the Antipodes K50 for the Grimm MU1 Music Server, the Tambaqui further ups the game by providing even finer levels of detail. I already pronounced it grain-free with the K50 and LinQ, meaning that it has now become beyond Retina-like if that makes any sense. I mean, there’s grain, the absence of grain, and then there’s superlative refinement, and that’s what the MU1 adds.

 

Additionally, the Grimm matches the Tambaqui’s clean and articulate presentation and further pushes the boundary in these aspects. Whereas this could normally result in an overly septic sound, the Grimm actually never steers in that direction. Granted, the MU1 does not sound quite as smooth and relaxed as the Antipodes, but in spite of its immense resolution and even when coupled with the very pure and direct-sounding Tambaqui, the music remains fluid, naturally flowing, and breathing. In a way, the MU1 combines the virtues of the K50 and the linQ to make for a technically perfect, yet musically highly appealing presentation.”

 

 

Also worth mentioning, Grimm has recently announced speaker updates.

 

Update Grimm LS1 speaker system

Article which covers ‘computer aided calibration’, with more improvements in the pipeline. Awesome 👍

 

Introduction of the new Grimm subwoofer: SB1

Improved Digital Motional Feedback subwoofer that seamlessly works with LS1 speaker system, now also has a 3rd party mode.

 

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TheAttorney

TheAttorney

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I'm still waiting for the MU2, with the hope that Grimm can provide great synergy between its FPGA and internal DAC, e.g. by upscaling higher than is practical via its AES output - the end result to surpass the likes of Tambaqui. If the MU2 can pull that off, then it will be top contender for my next purchase.

 

Ideally, to fulfill my single-box-solution aspirations, the MU2 would also include a top quality headphone output, but unfortunately that option does not appear to be on the horizon.

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Kenkuan

Kenkuan

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I was told MU2 could be one year away, if you can wait😅

 

I couldn't... Now waiting for delivery of MU1. 

Gigawatt PF2 >> Paul Pang Quad >> Allo DigiOne Signature (w Shanti power supply) >> Grimm Audio MU1 >> Holo Audio Spring Wild Edition >> Leben CS600 >> Harbeth SHL5+ 40th Anniversary

All Audiolund cables (Extreme + Silver) 

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FredM

FredM

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On 5/5/2021 at 1:52 PM, Kenkuan said:

I was told MU2 could be one year away, if you can wait😅

 

I couldn't... Now waiting for delivery of MU1. 


Congrats Kenkuan, please share your findings 🙂

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SackATK

SackATK

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My previous digital setup included a USB chain consisting of a Sonore opticalRendu streamer, Uptone Audio ISO Regen USB reclocker, and Innuos PhoenixUSB reclocker.  It utilized some very good USB cables and DC cables with some very nice low noise linear regulators cleaning up the DC power from an HD Plex 300W LPS. This setup sounded great!  At the time, it was the best I had ever heard.  I could've easily stopped there and just enjoy. The only downside was the number of boxes and cables and determining how to place everything. 

 

The Innuos PhoenixUSB was a transformational addition to the system and it provided a good lesson. This USB reclocker has an excellent clock and power supply built into the unit.  The clock and the DC power are very close to the parts that need them.  These design decisions allow it to perform at a level above other implementations.  Of course, the same design decisions can be said of the MU1. 

 

So a few weeks back I decided to try the MU1 because it would accomplish a few things for me.  It can replace most of the boxes and cables, it would satisfy a small curiosity with upsampling, and it would allow me to reclock spdif for a few components that output spdif.

 

Initially a Sonore opticalModule fed the ethernet signal to the MU1 using a no name ethernet cable and a Grimm TPR AES cable was used on the output. This combination bested my previous USB chain.  I didn't take notes but I remember their being more low level details and I believe tonality was more correct and everything else was better except for perhaps dynamics.  Now when I did this comparison, the MU1 and the TPR cable were still fairly new and the state of burn in was unknown. 

 

I sold most of my USB chain and I've been happily listening and tinkering with ancillary cables and components. The Grimm TPR cable was replaced with a Shunyata Alpha AES cable and this was an improvement.  Then the Shunyata Alpha AES cable was replaced with a Shunyata Omega AES cable. This was not a subtle change.  Many things improved and there was a noticeable drop in the noise level.  Then I implemented Supra ethernet cables into the system, removed the opticalModule, and most importantly, I added an Innuos PhoenixNet switch between the router and the MU1 and "astounded" is the word I want to use.  With the PhoenixNet, sounds became more well formed and the pieces in the soundstage had more clarity. Transparency was better and the "pops" popped more, if you know what I mean. Each percussive sound felt like a punch in the face/ear drums.  The bass performance was nothing like I've ever experienced in my system.  It almost felt like there was too much super tight dynamic bass... but I'm not complaining. My research indicated the PhoenixNet would benefit the system but to experience the ways the music has improved is something else. I solely stream music with the MU1 so I don't know how playing music internally stored in the MU1 would compare.

 

The MU1 was used to supply the digital signal to Kii Three active speakers and to a Benchmark DAC3/HPA4 headphone stack.  Power conditioning and cables are higher end Shunyata Research. 

 

 

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SackATK

SackATK

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I don't know if this is really new info, but a few days ago, I noticed this on the Grimm Audio website under the MU1 webpage: "Spotify and Tidal Connect support (soon)".  I'm eager to do Tidal Connect on the MU1 because I use Tidal Connect more than Roon day to day and this would allow me to eliminate the Bluesound Node 2i from the system because it's main purpose is to utilize Tidal Connect.  And my spdif implementation out of the Node 2i (also connected to the PhoenixNet) doesn't sound as good as Roon directly on the MU1. 

 

 

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SackATK

SackATK

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On 5/5/2021 at 6:52 AM, Kenkuan said:

I was told MU2 could be one year away, if you can wait😅

 

I couldn't... Now waiting for delivery of MU1. 

 

I have lofty expectations of the MU2.  It would make me a very happy man if it can beat my headphone DAC because it would allow me to free up a very expensive AES cable and power cable.  Simpler is better in my book. 

 

 

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