Why I am selling my Grimm Audio MU1
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- Опубликовано: 2 июл 2024
- Over year ago I bought the Grimm Audio MU1 digital music player and server. And to be honest I still haven’t found a better one. Why then am I going to sell it??
Contents of this video
00:00 - Intro
00:22 - Start of program
01:17 - Mu1 things I like
03:46 - Then why sell?
05:11 - Now what?
06:05 - The wrap
Relevant videos:
Chord DAVE: • Chord Dave FPGA DAC
Grimm Audio MU1: • Grimm Audio MU1 digita...
Grimm Audio MU2: • Grimm Audio MU2 digita...
Magna Mano Ultra mk3 Farad streamer and network bridge: • Magna Mano Ultra mk3 F...
Singxer Audio SU 6 D/D converter: • Singxer Audio SU 6 D/D...
About my reference setups, May 2023: • About my reference set...
If you like my work, support it through:
My Patreon page: / thehbchannel
Paypal: www.paypal.me/theHBchannel
My book: • File Based Audio aka S...
My links:
My site: www.theHBproject.com/en
My channel: / thehansbeekhuyzen
My Facebook page: / hansbeekhuyzen 
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Happy. Holidays Hans, Thanks for a year of great reviews!
Happy holidays to you too.
Hi Hans, have been watching your videos for years and wanted to note your engineering approach is superb. I thoroughly enjoy your content and have learned much from you. Take care & happy holidays.
Thank you very much and happy holidays to you and yours.
We all swing and sway to another piece of equipment worth a small fortune whenever our ego's are nicely stroked and are convinced the equipment will absolutely give me what I want, at all time and in the way I prefer.
I had the Aurender N20 and was on cloud 9 with the audiophile bingo card completely stamped. It was to lie by my side as I expire, years from now, clutching my 2014 Mercury Records- Blu Ray - 5.1 Mix of the Allman Brothers' - 1971 Fillmore East Recordings.
Well, I sold it and now have the N30.
It's a disease.
PHENOMENAL channel!
Hey, I'm a reviewer. That's different😄
This is true it is a disease.
Your video makes me happy, because i might be able to offort a secondhand MU1...
Fijne feestdagen😊
Make me an offer
The strength of being dependent on Roon can also be a weakness. Roon is sold to Harman. The future of Roon might change. On the Roon forum lots of people are worried about Roon's future. I hope Grimm is aware of that and it would be smart if Grimm developed alternative ways in its software to stay future proof and be not dependent on Roon.
From someone in the industry, close to Harman, I know that they intend to keep Roonlabs unchanged but might have them assist with other projects inside Harman. BTW Grimm is already developing an alternative next to Roon. I think that they will speed that up in the unlikely event that Roon gets in trouble.
being dependent on any subscription based (streaming) service is always a risk - inevitably better or cheaper services will pop up that will cause existing ones to perish. Lifetime subscriptions, if sustained too long after startup, are from a marketing perspective a guarantee that a service will not last indefinitely.
Roon is not a streaming service.
👍🏼
You are one of the few none-salesman or none-bought HIFI reviewers. Your work is much appreciated! BTW: Merason got a new DAC out, the Reuss, if you have a chance to get your hand on one.
They know I want to review it. So I'm waiting for a review sample loan.
great, I read the Reuss (a near empty box) is positioned near the DAC1 mkI, and should be measured against the DAC1 mkII. @@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
Hans, as always very informative videos. I also am thinking of upgrading my MU1/MSB Discreet DAC to a MU2 only streamer-DAC. Along with the proposed change I have already installed a Shunyata Altaira grounding system. This grounding system increases the detail of the audio while reducing the musicality. The net effect is an increase in detail at the risk of hearing fatigue (too clinical). I am hoping the MU2's DAC will balance this. I am suggesting that you might want to try the Shunyata Grounding system (many back guarantee).
The grid appears to differ worldwide. so I stay away from reviewing equipment like this.
The Altaira Grounding system is not affected by the grid, it is a component to component grounding system, you would be amazed at the increase in detail that can be achieved. System: VAC Master Pre-Amp, Boulder 1160 Power Amp, Sonus Faber Amati G5 Speakers, MU1 tried, MU2 Upgrade to be tried.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
I have the MU1.
Its very funny Hans as I thought the same when I heard it with the Dave and now at home with my Bartók..."everything sounds beautiful".
I wondered exactly the same thing. For a reviewer, how on earth can you test any connected DAC correctly when the MU1 makes it sound better than it normally does.
You made the sensible choice sir! Not only this, but you still have the option to enjoy those sleepless nights with your MU2.
Thank you.
Dear Hans, first of all, thank you for your excellent reviews on the Grimm audio material. This is extremely insightful, yet a bit frustrating too. A couple of months ago I bought the MU1 together with an Aqua audio formula HD which I’m feeling into a Nagra classic preamp. I feel the result is quite superb would agree with your description of smoothness, musicality and extreme detail rendering. I am now wondering whether the MU1 and the formula shall go for the benefit of a MU2. Ca i really expect a major improvement over the system I currently use? And yes, I agree, in the end, it shall be my ears to decide but I haven’t had the opportunity yet to listen to the MU2. Maybe someone in the community here has a view on this question too. Thanks a lot
What can I say? I have the MU2 on order and put my MU1 and Chord DAVE for sale on line today. Don't expect a humongous difference. It rather is an impressive refinement.
Hi Hans, you learn so much about very technical information, thank you very much for that. And Grimm is doing things so interestingly, there’s not much companies innovating like that and the result is amazing. I just wanted to ask you because I struggle to understand the clock overtaking and and scaling replaced by the MU for the Dave. For instance in the system of my oncle that I know well, there’s an Auralic Aries g2.1 feeding a McInstosh MDA1000 dac via coaxial cable. This dac works by OS everything to 768khz and thus reclocks the signal (I guess?). If I enable OS in the Aries it will not bypass the OS in the MDA 1000 will it? Same for the clocking even though we’re using coax it will still be reclocked by the output of the OS chip won’t it?
Offering a DAC a close to perfect digital signal does make life for the PLL or FLL easier. Regarding OS: it's not that the signal is OS'd, it's that the first two steps up are done to perfection that makes the MU series that good.
Thank you that’s wat I was thinking for the pll/fll. It’s note per say overtaken but it makes life much easier with such a clean signal.
From what I gather, the MU2’s DAC is a rather unique design. And one that, in conjunction with the firmware and FPGA, results in a very fine solution. It would be nice to hear more about the preamp, comparatively speaking, as direct-to-amp versus feeding a preamp.
Personally, I've found the MU1 wired AES to my dCS Upsampler with associated DAC and master clock superb. However, the dCS stack is sonically preferable to the MU1's various upsampling options, feeding a Spectral preamp. Yet it would be interesting to swap in an MU2 and wire it right into the preamp for comparison. Might give me pause...like using some of the newly designed Class D amps, in lieu of the traditional Class A or A/B designs.
The pre-amp is also in use when playing through the DAC. It is great and makes an external pre-amp superfluous.
Interesting. So you really cannot bypass the preamp, if the one you have is part of an integrated amp? Or if the preamp you use is top-notch?@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
There “is no separate pre-amp”. The output stage any DAC has can also be used as pre-amp. In this case that output stage happens to be very good.
Got it. So, as with my dCS DAC which offers multiple line output levels from.2V up to 6V the MU2 performs the same function albeit via its preamplification function, though it is continuously variable. @@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
Since you’re already an MU1 owner, it might be best to email support with a detailed question or two. John-Paul, here in the U.S. has been quite responsive at addressing mine, including getting quite “deep” ones answered by the team over in the Netherlands, at least until they touch on any intellectual property 😉@Dan-ml1nv
If the mu2 had digital out that would have been a killer piece of kit. Hans I saw this move coming! I want the mu2 but will try the denafrips terminator fed by arces streamer with clock linked. That’s $5,600 usd but something tells me it will be killer. I’ve been fighting jitter for 25 yrs…still have my old audio alchemy equipment with I2S!
Why would you want a digital out on a device with such a great DAC. I have reviewed both the terminator and arce and they’re great but no comparison to the mu2.
Hans yes you did review the terminator and arce but not as a combination. I think the arce hardwired to network, then feeding I2S to terminator AND with clocks synchronized will a very synergistic combination. In past I believe you reviewed the terminator with clock synced to Gaia and you felt it was a great combination. I think embedding the streamer into the DDC as done with the Arce was a great move by denafrips and I expect it the be better than the Terminator/ Gaia/ external streamer combination. And yes I expect the MU2 will be better but don’t forget the price difference- term plus arce and decent cables probably $6k us$, the mu2 is 3x more. In a similar approach - would like to see you review the DCS Lina dac, with and without the Lina clock.
You used to have the Denafrips Gaia which is a DDC. If possible, could you compare the Gaia with the Singxer SU-6? I have been using the Gaia with my streamers (Auralic G2.2 and Innuous Statement) and it is wonderful.
I never owned the Gaia, I reviewed it 3 years ago.
Hans, I have the mu2. Are you suggesting that the USB on the mu2 can be used as a digital out? Regards. Dan
If I did, I was wrong 😔
Thanks for the review. I’m now going to sell most of my audio system to purchase the mu2. I have spend some years building a system and now most of it will be traded in and money to get this device. Trading in Dave, m scaler, naim 282. Innuos mk3 4TB. + all the expensive bnc wave storm and all cables to give it the best performance I could afford. I have been using Innuos streamer for many years. Roon I’m not sure about. But have no choice then to jump into it if I buy this mu2. It will be running with a naim 250 power amp. I have a hydra delta power supply. And a Vertere dynamic groove turntable, speakers audio vectors s3. The only thing is not sure if the headphone amp on the mu2 will be as good as the Dave? But maybe get a tube amp for the headphones listening to plug in. I did not want to get rid of the Dave. But no choice really.
That is called progression 🥴
I had almost the identical system components as you did and now love the MU2. I sold the Dave/ DC4 ARC6, Mscaler/Ferrum Hypsos, Innuos Zenith Mk3 and Phoenix USB, Wave cables, etc.
👍🏼
Hi yes I have the Mu2 at home on Demo for that past 4 days. Anyway I have placed an order for the Mu2 8TB version. Runing with a naim 250 power amp. And my vector turntable. Have ordered a decent cable that will work with the mu2 and the naim 250. Chord top of the line cable. That’s all plugged into my hydra power supply. Anyway about 4 weeks to get mine. They are selling like hot cakes. My dealer had sold 4 already👍. .
Have you ever listened to the DCS Lina DAC w/streamer?
i havent, the sound states arent ready for that much power lul
lessfox is great but sort of 'restricted' i can imagine sound with the amp, although uncertain if the fiio can keep up, prob lessfox indeed the best pair
Not under controlled conditions but I intend to.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I am looking forward to how it compares with ta Mu1 and good DAC.
Did you try to compare the Mu-2’s pre-amp with you’re Ayre? (I’m not sure if you can bypass this)
The Ayre amp doesn't have a pre-amp as usual (watch ruclips.net/video/cHruLttewB4/видео.htmlsi=zUOu6CFb2M04nKtn&t=646). It has a variable gain power amplifier. But I have tried setting the volume on the MU2 or the Ayre and heard no difference.
Was DAVE running with DC4 PSU during your tests ? I feel MU2 is going to be next hit product .
The Dave was on its own psu
RE your intro point 5: the dCS Network Bridge digital out (to DAVE) sounds better than the MU1 (scaler inactive). But only with dCS's own Mosaic music player, not with Roon.
Thanks for sharing
And the scaler does a great job.
Jcat has a server that also might be interesting.
Why?
As an alternative for MU1, interesting for review and your opinion.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel
I have a DIY fanless audio server implemented with JCAT hardware (USB EX, Network EX, JPLAY, OPTIMO 3...). 6000€ worth of hardware and software.
I was able to compare it to the MU1 connected to my TAMBAQUI DAC using Roon.
Performance was identical, even superior with the JCAT hardware.
I agree with MaxiMe that you should test the new XACT S1 server. It seems to outperform all other servers.
Then on the engineering side, Marci is doing an incredible job on the hardware and software. You're in for a treat ;-)
Last Word : I admire your excellent work. Thank you for your contributions.
Nice piece of gear but a bit too pricey for me.👍🍻
I understand
Does the MU1 offer anything the MU2 doesnt?
The MU1 has no DAC but has in stead digital outputs which the MU2 doesn't.
All good problems to have!
Agreed
The asking price seems a bit way too high for what’s inside the box
Not if you judge by ear!!
What you're paying for is not just the hardware used, but the years of engineering that went into the design. High end audio gear is commonly estimated to have a parts cost of only about 20% of its suggested retail price. So you pay for what it does and ultimately how well it performs, but it is a subjective evaluation to determine a product's value.
It’s not what’s in the box- it’s how it’s arranged!
Your logic only makes sense if the purpose of your buying hifi is to appreciate the engineering and components. Personally, I only care about the sound so if someone could sell me a black box that I did not know the contents of, but it made my system sound exactly as I would ideally like I would purchase it in a heartbeat assuming I could afford the price.
Sorry Hans, often you are good but this is filler video
This video raises an engineering issue in my mind. All streamers worthy of consideration are bit perfect in their AES/EBU output, yet don't sound the same when driving audiophile DACs. Consequently, we must blame factors that can influence a DAC's clock jitter/phase noise spectrum, or than can modulate the power supply used in the I/V conversion and buffering stages at the analog output of said DAC. I've noticed from my own experience that S/PDIF reclockers can noticeably improve the sound of a DAC similar to the improvements reported by owners of very well executed (& expensive) streamers, albeit probably not to the same degree. It boggles my mind that a properly engineered, or even over-engineered solution to this problem always has to cost $5000+ to deliver at retail. It apparently _is_ the case that such well-engineered products are sufficiently scarce in the market that they command prices that most of us deem unaffordable. Surely this situation can, and therefore will, change in the future!
I know, it's painful that things of above average quality cost above average. And when you think there is a product that breaks this rule, it almost always turns out to be a lemon.
@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel If we were merely talking about build quality (materials and workmanship), few would argue against the idea you get what you pay for. But the engineering design decisions that result in a superior digital streamer should not necessarily cost a fortune to replicate via mass production.
How much?
The asking price is €7799. It has the 8TB SSD for music storage.
If I have the winning New Year's Eve ticket I will send you a message😉
👍🏼
So whoever is going to buy better not watch this...
?????🧐
Your channel has a good contents, and your presentation though comes with an accent is informative. But seriously speaking why you insist on this medicore shirt you wear?? It made a lot of sense to change outfits as a sign of time passing and it would add to the longevity of the channel itself. Please care to explain. Thanks.
I think he has the right to choose which shirt he pleases and there is nothing wrong with his shirt.
I think your comment is rather ridiculous and shallow.
Wow… WTF do you care what he wears? Never mind asking him to explain it….
Maybe you should explain why you’re so insipid….🙄
HIFI troll 😂, rude dude
I have four of those shirts. It would not be woke to throw them away, would it. And it's not a fashion show, I hope you're not watching it for the 70 year old presenter but for what he tells. If not, I would seek help😀