Grimm MU1 Streamer - Really "The Best"?

There were at least two Grimm MU1's at CAF.  Bill w GTT showed his with the Makua Preamp with onboard Tambaqui DAC.  The amps were the new Percas, using two stereo amps in a vertically biwired configuration.  I did not find the Vivid Giyas bright.

There was a second Mu1 being shown in room 726, M101 cables.  He used it to demonstrate the effectiveness of his ethernet cable.

hello @lalitk my answer is a resounding hmmmm....

@lalitk , When I got my Grimm I had already decided I liked the Muon Pro Filter System.

With the Grimm, I tried it with and without the Muon.  The improvement was more subtle, yet I did hear an improvement with the Muon.  I think this acts similar to a fancy Ethernet cable, no?

@thyname I agree.   The Grimm sounds great, runs Roon core, is very stable and boots quickly.   

Hello @nyev ​​​​@lalitk and others!

I have ordered my Grimm MU 1.  It will be paired with my Mola Mola Tambaqui.  I have an Elation KS AES coming as well.  The Grimm will replace my Nucleus + , and I will move my Aries G2.1 to my Makua based system   This is of course if the Grimm sounds better than my Aries with the Sean Jacobs power supply!  I also still plan to use the Muon Pro filter in front of each.  That will again be an interesting test.  Yes, as others have mentioned, the MU2 is interesting.  I had not heard it was a joint venture with Mola Mola…but since I own the Tambaqui already, here we go.

@arafiq ​​​​@lalitk .  The Linkup ethernet cable is interesting to me if it beats my Supra cat 8.  There are two versions; 22 AWG and 26 AWG.  I assume it is the 22 AWG you are using?  Thanks!  Trying a new NA Muon AES Cable tonight, comparing to my K-S Elation.  Still using the Aries G2.1 and waiting on my Grimm!

Soon!  I am planning on putting the Grimm MU1 in my main set up, running 
Roon Core and AES into my Tambaqui.  My other system and bedroom endpoints will be on the network.

The latest Tambaqui update includes dimming / turning off the LED's!

@rockrider Yes it is!  Now I am waiting on Audionet who told me the same thing about their Stern Screen going completely dark!  I have covered the power buttons on my amps, so that screen is the last night sky pollution!

@ghasley,  "Do yourself a favor though, if you are convinced you have an optimized setup then DO NOT go listen to a truly optimized setup…it will be a costly mistake."​​​​​​

Boy daddy is that true!  I have loved and listened to my music all my life. But I first heard the magic about 5 years ago.  I was looking for an integrated to make music in my basement -  a second system for working on my model railroad.   I visited a local dealer and was auditioning the Halo integrated.  It seemed to sound just fine.  then the dealer switched in an Esoteric DAC. OH MY.  I heard it.  And now, like you, I evaluate every upgrade with my ears and love and appreciate all the improvements, some small some huge.  And then I will often take it away, and the 'missing it' confirms things.  It is like turning my subs off, you just plain miss them.  We all value what we value, and it is indeed very individual.  The Node is a great example; most of us have had or heard one.  It does the job.  Great for many, inadequate for some.  

@ghasley"At a certain point if someone has a massive library they are probably better served (pun intended) with a powerful server, perhaps in another room. This applies to most one box server/streamers. Then the MU1 could be the endpoint which is where its strengths lie in clocking, 4fs and the optimized aes output."

OK hello, this is very interesting to me as I have heard currently the MU1 will not work as an endpoint only, and must run Roon Core.

I currently have a Nucleus + in another room.  I am buying the Grimm for its AES output to my Tambaqui  Do I have a big library?  I don't know, is 3200 albums, between hard drive and Qobuz large?

And I have a second nice system currently fed by my Nucleus+, not to mention two more zones of lesser sound quality.

Can Grimm MU1 handle 4 zones like this?  Can I keep my Nucleus and use Grimm Mu1 as  a Roon endpoint?

Can I have one MU1 run Roon Core and Serve my tambaqui and another MU1 as endpoint only to serve my second system wtih Makua?

Thanks!  My Mu1 should come this week I hope!

I want to use it as both. 
a core to all my zones and a streamer to one of my zones.

Is this a good plan?

Hello @ghasley @thyname @lalitk @snopro @wsrrsw , Happy Holidays!!! 

So somethings about my Grimm MU1.  Interesting how many say it is immune to different ethernet and or power cables.   Also very interesting was in the M101 room at CAF. Lubomir was demonstrating the positive effects  (improvement in sound) of inserting his 1.5m ethernet cable going into the streamer or DAC.  But in his demonstration, he bypassed the Grimm to show off his cable.  Why? Because the mu1 uses a generic internal ethernet cable.  In a sense this generic cable 'undoes' the benefits of using an expensive ethernet cable into it.

So, you are thinking, (at least I was) can we replace the internal ethernet cable in the mu1?  Lubomir liked this question and was already on to it.  So I sent him my unit, and he replaced the stock cable with an identical length of his ethernet cable (M101).

I received it back last night and have only listened for about an hour.  But, it is astonishing!  The soundstage has opened, and I can now pinpoint locations of performers even better than before.  The attack and dynamics are formidable, with great bass and yet still organic and smooth.  For those who said the Grimm was too laid back and polite, say that no more with this modification. The highs are uber crisp.  It is though the music jumps out at you.

The Grimm MU1 is indeed a great component. 

Yes I have considered this...I just turned it down a bit.  It honestly seemed louder.

But harshness does not enhance the soundstage as here.  Usually the opposite.

@nyev what power cord are you using on your Tambaqui?

Hello all, My Grimm MU1 arrives tomorrow and will run my roon core and stream directly over AES to my Tambaqui.  Since I have another nice system on my network, a MM Makua with onboard Tambaqui, this system will  receiving streaming over LAN connection.  I am sure from what I have heard the main AES connection to my Tambaqui will be awesome.   I can't wait to try it!  but will the Grimm improve my second (LAN connected) system?  It has been mentioned that the Grimm has less processing power to run Core than my Nucleus+.

So I can move my hot rodded Aries G2.1 to my second system...

I reached out to Grimm:

Dear Ken,

Thank you for checking out the MU1!

To answer most of your questions: yes, the MU1 will replace the Nucleus, no problem. It has similar functionality. Important is to use it for your main system via its AES outputs, but I read you already knew that.

There will be very little to no advantage of the MU1 over the Nucleus for your Zone 2 system since it is just a Roon core with a nice power supply for that.

The Certified Roon End Point function of the next software update (due in quite a few months...) will add little functionality. Only customers with huge databases (> 30000 albums or so) will need a more powerful computer for the Roon Core and they will benefit. If you like to use a second MU1 in your system, you can stream to it without problems. For the track information to become visible however you need to wait until the MU1 has become a Certified Roon End Point.

Please enjoy the MU1!

Kind regards,

Eelco Grimm

So the option of a MU1 as streamer only will come with a software update!

Fed Ex is not my friend.

...should come today.

Hello @nyev and @Lalitk, I received my MU1!

I was able to deauthorize and unpower my Nucleus+ and start Roon Core on the Grimm fairly easily. Somehow I muddled through the confusing internal drive thing and do see the internal drive.  Mine is 8T.  I got Qobuz and Tidal started easily, and have moved some of my files to the internal drive.

BUT, I have so far failed at being able to restore my roon database from a backup.  I have a bunch of playlists so I want to do this.  I have found the instructions for this confusing.

SOUND: Amazing.   I have my JCAT M12 switch upstairs feeding a 20m run of Supra Cat 8, into the MUON PRO filter, feeding the MU1.  Then my K-S Elation AES into my Tambaqui.  I am using a K-S Realization power cable. The music is so 'easy'.  The Tambaqui has always been very resolving, yet now I seem to hear more things but in an unstressed way.  The bass is also much fuller.  It just makes me smile and I want (and have) stayed up very late listening to my favorites.

I removed the Muon Pro filter, but think it adds something.  Not as big as an impact as before the MU1.  I put it back in.

I also have a Network Acoustics Muon AES cable to compare.  It is very good and costs less than its competition.  It is a close second to the Elation.

I have also been streaming to three other endpoints now using Roon Core in the Grimm.  It has worked perfectly.

Maybe everyone know this, but I was slow to realize that running additional Roon endpoints lessens the sound quality.  When I sit down late at night, only running my main system, it always sounds amazing.  I thought it was the time of day or power grid issues.  But it is easily heard adding a second zone while critically listening.

A big thumbs up for the Grimm, but advice appreciated on restoring my Roon Database!

Thank you @thyname ,  I have tried all of this, and I have done this before on my room nucleus. But when I go to Roon and try to restore back up, I can’t see any of my back ups. They are on a USB hard drive that was plugged into my nucleus. Now I have it plugged into my laptop, which is on my net work. I can see the back up folder on the raid hard drive, but I can’t seem to get it into the MU one folder, which should not be the heap folder, correct? 

@thyname I see the network share option but do not know how to type it!

@nyev it either seems to be getting better or I seem to be appreciating it more!

Hey @wsrrsw !  Yes love the customer service.  Mr Eelco just emailed me back personally about the ability to run core on either the MU1 or MU2 and use the other as Roon endpoint.  This is coming soon. (certified Roon endpoint).  Yes if the MU2 is all that people say, it could even replace say my Makua with onboard Tambaqui DAC and a separate streamer (I have two systems).  But being better than Grimm - Tambaqui combo is still to be seen!  I will pm you with who did the mod.  And yes, I am sure voids warranty...but the new cable plugs at both ends with RJ45 so not impossible to undo.

Hello @lalitk, I only went for it.  Kudos to Lubomir of M101.

@aewarren ​​​​@nyev, I have the M1 magic in my Tambaqui and like it. I have not tried SR purple.

anyone compared?

Hello @calgarian5355   the Aries with the SJPS is very very good.  The Grimm is even more detailed, but much more easy and relaxing.  Not sure if it really is more detailed, but it is just so easy to listen to I hear more.  People say more analogue;  I do not have vinyl, but it is more relaxed and any harshness disappears.

Hi all,  my mu1 is settling in so sweetly with my Tambaqui.  I also have the  Muon Pro System from Network Acoustics.   I have previously taken the Muon in and out of my system and always preferred it.  As @lalitk says, the cables are nice.  The ‘system’ includes their network cable before the filter;  the cable exiting the filter has a fixed attachment.   So I tried the mu1 Tambaqui combo with and without the Muon Pro.  It is better with it.  It is less noticeable than prior to the mu1, but still a noticeable improvement.  And YES @nyev the fact that it is non powered (passive) is very appealing. And my addition of the mu1 eliminates my Nucleus + as the Grimm runs my Roon core. (And eliminates my HDPLEX LPS powering my Nucleus).

I have found the MUON pro sounds better than Eno, and it is a 1GB device vs 100 MB for Eno.   The Eno had issues with one of my streamers but the Muon does not. Rather one of my streamers had issues with the Eno …. The Aries G2.1.

I use fixed volume on the MU1 and the Tambaqui and control volume with my preamp.  Best this way I think.

Hi @ghasley I had a new internal ethernet cable replaced in my MU1.

We took out the stock generic 1 foot cable and replaced it with a M101Ethernet cable.

@nyev ​​​​@sdl4 @svenjosh good morning!

The dip  or less full frequencies is an interesting thing. A few years ago, after settling on Audience AU24sx and assembling a full loom, I upgraded my speakers. My amazing dealer delivered and set up the YG Haileys and they sounded fantastic..  They were demo’s so already broken in.  I had selected the AU24’s because of the clear airy highs.  As I was playing my favorite tracks, my dealer stopped me after Genesis ‘Fly on a Windshield’ from Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. He changed out my speaker cables only with K-S Elation and we replayed the track.  Wow. The bass coming in after the quiet hit me in the chest.  And the top end was just as clear.  This was ‘tonal balance’. Often missing low mids or upper bass lend one to hearing the highs better.  I now have all Realization or Elation.  Full natural sound.  I expect any part of the chain can be responsible for this, but cables seem to be obvious with a fleshed out system.  So, were there any cabling differences between the Grimm and Zenith set ups ??

Hello @thyname ,  there may be some designed coincidence if GTT is your dealer or distributor.  Bill Parish of GTT is a good friend of Joe Kubala, and also a big YG dealer.  Both have been to my home for delivery and set up (and checking out my train layout).  Bill always features K-S cables at his studio or at shows.  Interesting this year is that GTT is featuring Goya Speakers at Axpona with Audionet Stern and Heisenbergs, MM Tambaqui, Grimm mu1, and Kubala Sosna cables.

maybe soon there will be a coincidence with Giya loudspeakers and K-S cables?🧐. 

Hi @ghasley,

I can't swap from the stock to new.

So my comparison is remembering it before, then a week away, then hearing it now.

+1 @woots I went from Nucleus+ (with a HDPEX), Auralic Aries G2.1 (with a Sean Jacobs Power supply) to the Grimm mu1.  So that is 4 boxes down to one!  To me the Grimm sounds better and so far has run Roon core without issue.  I have 4 endpoints total.  When Grimm upgrades their software later this year (I am told), then the mu1 can be Core like now or an Certified Roon endpoint alone.  This means for me with two systems, one mu1 can be Roon core / streamer  and the other is streamer (endpoint) only.

@carlsbad2 said:

@antigrunge2 sounds like we are both after the same minimalist system (when it comes to the signal path). I agree Roon offers a bunch of DSP but I keep it turned off. I have used volume control when testing a DAC w/o VC and it wasn’t bad, but generally VC is even locked out. with it all turned off, roon and innuos both pass a naked signal through the streamer to the DAC.

I also love Roon and want to keep it. And I totally agree about the convenience and quality of Grimm MU1 running Roon Core and its upsampling.

But I do think Roon makes more ’noise’ even when all the processing, volume and multiple zones are turned off. I have been told it creates much more network traffic by pinging to make sure you have a subscription, providing metadata etc. Simply it makes more noise (I have been told).

When I had the XACT S1 on trial, it sounded amazing. Better easily than my Grimm running Roon. Marcin at JCAT says Roon can never sound as good as his streamer without Roon, My goal is to keep Roon, but optimize it to its best. While I love the Grimm, and have two systems, I have my eye on Aurender N30SA when it is a certified Roon endpoint, and of course eyeball the Taiko Extreme. Now that Taiko has announced their new better Olympus streamer, Extremes are showing up used for the same price as the new N30SA...

And I am now enjoying the MU1 with internal upgrade of its network cable, sounding even better. And I still stand by a great switch making even these SOTA machines sound better.

Hi @lalitk , I can not disagree.  But I want my cake and eat it too!  So if Aurender's streamer is a Roon endpoint, I would have both the convenience and attributes of Roon and the ability to use the Conductor for critical listening...if it sounds better :) This is key to many Taiko owners..ability to use both at a high level.