At the High End Munich show 2023, Grimm Audio introduces the MU2 high-end music streamer to the audiophile audience. The MU2 is a sister product of their famous MU1. It offers the same functionality with integrated Roon Labs Core and End Point, but this time it has analog outputs in stead of digital ones.
Eelco Grimm, creative director of Grimm Audio: “The built-in digital to analog converter of the MU2, baptised Major DAC, is of a groundbreaking discrete design that makes optimal use of our own high precision FPGA board and ultra low jitter clock oscillator. We are very excited that this design reproduces micro-details so well that it allows a deep emotional connection to the musical performance. For those interested in the technical backgrounds, we wrote a tech note about this exciting development that can be found on our website. After the DAC, a relay based analog volume control enables the MU2 to become the true ‘hub’ of any classic hifi system for both digital and analog sources.”
The Audiophile History of Grimm Audio
Grimm Audio, a company founded in 2005 by Dutch engineer and audiophile Michel van der Baan, has established itself as a key player in the high-end audio world. Known for its commitment to innovation, precision, and performance, Grimm Audio has earned a strong reputation for producing premium, high-fidelity audio equipment. The company has consistently pushed the boundaries of audio technology, combining cutting-edge digital engineering with traditional audiophile principles, creating products that appeal to the most discerning listeners.
Founding of Grimm Audio
Grimm Audio was born out of van der Baan’s long-standing passion for both audio engineering and music. The company’s inception stemmed from his desire to solve common problems within the audio industry, specifically in terms of loudspeakers, recording equipment, and overall sound reproduction. With an extensive background in electrical engineering and a keen understanding of what makes good sound, van der Baan set out to create audio products that would blend the best of both worlds: the technical and the artistic.
The company initially gained attention for its innovative approach to speaker design. Rather than simply following industry trends, Grimm Audio aimed to create products that could offer precise, accurate, and distortion-free sound. Their focus was always on technical excellence, which would later become the cornerstone of their success.
Grimm Audio’s Early Products and Recognition
Grimm Audio’s first major product was the Grimm LS1, a groundbreaking loudspeaker system introduced in 2010. This speaker was unique in its combination of digital and analog components, offering audiophiles a highly accurate and transparent sound that was previously difficult to achieve in a single, integrated unit. The LS1 was praised for its clarity, dynamics, and ability to reproduce the smallest details in a recording. It marked Grimm Audio’s commitment to challenging conventional speaker designs and pushing the envelope in terms of both performance and convenience.
The LS1 was notable not only for its exceptional sound quality but also for its modular design. The system integrated multiple functions, including amplification, digital signal processing (DSP), and active control of the speaker drivers, all within a compact package. This approach minimized distortion and eliminated the need for external amplification or complicated setups, making it highly attractive for audiophiles who wanted a high-end, no-compromise system without the complexity of traditional audio systems.
The Evolution of Grimm Audio’s Product Line
As Grimm Audio’s reputation grew, so did its product lineup. Over the years, the company expanded its offerings to include various audio components, including the Grimm MU1 Music Server and the Grimm Audio TPR (Tensioned Pulse Response) speaker cables. The MU1 was particularly notable for its ability to improve the quality of digital audio playback, combining advanced engineering with audiophile-grade components to offer exceptional sound clarity and precision.
Grimm Audio’s focus on digital audio also led to innovations in speaker calibration and room optimization. They integrated DSP technology into their systems, allowing for advanced signal processing that could account for room acoustics and speaker placement. This feature further elevated their products, as it allowed users to achieve optimal sound quality regardless of their environment.
Grimm Audio’s LS1be, an evolution of their original LS1, was another highly regarded product in their line. Featuring a beryllium tweeter, the LS1be offered even more detailed high-frequency reproduction and an expanded soundstage. Like its predecessor, the LS1be was praised for its accurate sound and transparency, with users often citing the speaker’s ability to faithfully reproduce the intent of the artist and the engineers who recorded the music.
The Digital Era and Emphasis on Precision
In addition to their speaker systems, Grimm Audio has made significant contributions to the growing field of digital audio. The company’s products have consistently focused on precision and transparency, whether in the realm of streaming, digital signal processing, or room correction. Grimm Audio’s digital products are designed to maintain the purity of the original recording while minimizing any potential for distortion, ensuring that listeners can experience music the way it was meant to be heard.
Grimm Audio’s MU1 Music Server is a prime example of their dedication to high-quality digital audio. It was designed to deliver a clean, uncolored signal to other audio components in a system, reducing jitter, noise, and any other potential sources of degradation. The MU1 is engineered with audiophiles in mind, offering a seamless, high-quality solution for music storage and playback that complements the company’s speaker systems perfectly.
In recent years, the company has also embraced streaming platforms and networked audio, ensuring that their products are compatible with services like Roon and other audiophile music management systems. This emphasis on integration and ease of use has made Grimm Audio’s products even more accessible to modern audiophiles who want both high-quality sound and a smooth, streamlined user experience.
