Grimm Audio introduces PW1 phono preamplifier

Grimm Audio introduces PW1 phono preamplifier and has started shipping this versatile preamp!

Creative Director Eelco Grimm says that “decades ago all founders of the company were so inspired by vinyl that they dedicated their life to developing audio equipment. Even in these days of high-performance digital audio playback systems, it is hard to imagine a future without LPs. There is just something magical to it. Since we intend to build the full signal chain, a phono preamplifier was a logical addition. But to be worthy of the Grimm Audio logo, it just had to be something special.”

The PW1 carries the initials of its chief designer Peter van Willenswaard, co-founder of Grimm Audio. Peter spent a lifetime designing and improving phono preamps, both in solid state and with tubes. Of all stages of audio amplification, phono preamplifiers pose the biggest challenges to a designer. With moving coil cartridges, deep bass signals of a mere 50 nV require no less than 90 dB amplification!

Grimm claims that Peter managed to develop a solid-state FET phono preamplifier that matches his best tube-based designs in their sound quality. He stayed true to minimalistic design principles, using the smallest amount of hand-selected active components, and taking great care of their electronic and mechanical surroundings.

Eelco Grimm: “The PW1 unleashes the potential of your cartridge with a musicality that allows you to forget that you’re listening to a highly sophisticated audio system, and just let the music enchant you. It carries Peter’s signature sound, which is very spacious, detailed, and open, but at the same time rhythmically addictive and emotionally involving”.

The PW1 offers very flexible cartridge load settings at the bottom of the PW1, elegantly hidden behind a sliding panel. The power supply is so quiet that it could be built-in, which is unique for a high-end phono preamplifier capable of handling the lowest output MC cartridges.

Grimm Audio is known for its MU1 streamer and LS1 playback system, an all-digital chain. More recently they embraced the analog domain. First with the highly acclaimed and popular MU2 streaming DAC and now with the PW1. Grimm says that both approaches have their specific strengths and that they love to push the boundaries in all domains.

For the Grimm Audio team,
Eelco Grimm and Mark Devlaeminck

Grimm Audio, Zandven 6, Veldhoven, Noord Brabant 5508 RN, The Netherlands, +31 40 213 15