A big, warm welcome for the latest addition to the Barn reference system—the Grimm MU1.
You can read all about the MU1 in my review but I’ll add that the reasons I bought one are a) it makes the music coming out of my system(s) sound better—a lot better, b) the MU1 is a perfect reviewer’s tool in that it allows any attached DAC, at least in my experience, to sound its best, c) I love lowering box count, d) I like the way it looks, and e) Grimm is a company I respect.
“For anyone looking to bring more refined beauty to their music while simplifying streaming and serving needs in a single lovely to look at and lovely to use device, the Grimm MU1 is my first recommendation.”
And f) I listened to myself 😉
I’m using the MU1 as Roon Server and Roon Ready endpoint so it replaces my Intel NUC that was acting as Roon Server while also becoming my go-to streamer. That’s two, two, Roon fun(ctions) in one (I have another Barn system streamer update coming soon).
“Why didn’t you get the Grimm MU2?”
Great question. While the MU2 offered “the best digital music reproduction I’ve heard by an obvious and distinct margin” (see review), it is an all-in-one digital solution adding a DAC to the MU1’s server/streamer functionality and it does not have digital outs. This limits the MU2’s use as a reviewer’s tool and I am. . .a reviewer. That said, if I could easily afford one I’d have one.
The MU1 arrived yesterday and it’s already in play as I type. Transferring my music files and Roon Server from the NUC to the MU1 was a snap—drag and drop my music library from the NUC to the MU1’s internal storage, open Roon and connect to the MU1, Restore from Backup. Boom!
You’ll be hearing a lot more from the MU1 in future DAC reviews and I am thrilled, thrilled!, to be fortunate enough to have one as part of my reference system.