Grimm MU2 Experience

As with some of you, I too am skeptical about considering a one-box solution but what really interests me about the MU2 is all the positives that I am hearing about its DAC section. In his Twittering Machines review, Michael Lavorgna said:

"If you want to hear the best digital music reproduction I’ve heard by an obvious and distinct margin, you’ll need to find a Grimm MU2 to listen through. That’s it, that’s my conclusion—the Grimm MU2 acting as Roon server, Roon endpoint, and DAC made music sound at once less processed and more fully fleshed out than other digital solution(s) I’ve had the pleasure of hearing. What’s more, the MU2’s analog volume control and line level inputs turned it into a wonderful sounding preamplifier to boot. All in one."

That is high praise. Furthermore, he mentioned:

"The comparisons used for this review included the Barn resident Auralic ARIES G1.1 (review) streaming to with the review sample totaldac d1-triunity (more info) or the Barn resident Mola Mola Tambaqui (review) through a length of AudioQuest Diamond AES cable."

Thats right, he compared the all-in-one digital solution MU2 ($17,000) and its DAC section with a totaldac d1-triunity (about $23,000) and Mola Mola Tambaqui ($13,500), which are both very nice sounding DACs. Adding to the impact of his conclusion is how entrenched Lavorgna is with his appreciation of totaldac digital converters.

I would really like to hear an MU2 in my system. Stereophile and others have also given it quite high marks. Unfortunately, it seems that a trial audition is no small thing. It appears Upscale Audio (one of the dealers carrying the Grimm line) cuts their evaluation period from 60 to 30 days for Grimm Audio products, and tacks on a 20% restocking fee, or $3,500 for the Grimm MU2 - a hefty audition fee!

@wlp3 - any further updates from the OP since your comments in August, '24?

I am thrilled with the MU2.  It is Wadax level good for a fraction of the price. Stunning realism and transparency.  The break in period is quite long >250 hours.  On my system I prefer the fixed volume setting in Roon over the device volume setting….wider and deeper soundstage with more natural feel and ambiance.  YMMV

@wlp3 - thanks for the update.

For my clarity, you are saying that you have the volume fixed in the Roon settings, and then you are using the on-board volume control in the MU2?  If yes, how do you physically change the volume except by manually turning the plate at the top of the unit?  Is there an app that allows you to control/change the volume remotely?  I guess I do not understand Grimm not including a remote control with the MU2.

The MU2 is best controlled with a tablet.  You can control the volume through a sliding bar on the control app, the disc on top, or by an infrared remote.  They don’t include a remote because most people will be using a tablet to control and volume can be controlled on the tablet.  In my case I am using the volume control for my integrated amp.  If you choose to use the preamp in the MU2 you would use the control app or buy an infrared remote on Amazon if you feel the need to have one.

I seem to prefer using my Nucleus+ as the Roon Core on the network and fixed-volume to my MU2 as the endpoint...