Jonas Bednarz, editor of the German online publication Lite Magazin, was captivated by the qualities of the PW1, especially its abilities to connect a listener to the music. Because the PW1 also excelled in design and usability it was granted Lite Magazine’s “100 / 100 Reference Class” accolade! Jonas’ text reads like a long speech of praise, and luckily the built-in English translation on the page does right to that. We recommend to read the full review here, but for your convenience we copy some fragments below.
“The Grimm PW1 is no ordinary phono preamplifier. Instead of flaunting superlatives or getting bogged down in numbers, Grimm Audio focuses on a minimalist design with maximum sonic ambition: Here, music should sound authentic – unadulterated, vibrant, and moving.
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The voice stands out in the room, every breath, every element of reverb is finely crafted – and yet nothing seems analytical or overemphasized. The absolute silence in the background is particularly impressive: no noise, no humming – instead, a pitch-black silence from which the music unfolds effortlessly. This allows spatial information to emerge clearly and gives the recording room to breathe. Even if Grimm Audio doesn’t place any emphasis on spectacular measured values, the high signal-to-noise ratio is audible. And contributes significantly to the PW1 acting like an acoustic window to the music.
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You can feel the size of the recording room, pinpoint the individual orchestral sections, and practically lose yourself in the sound. What’s particularly impressive is how clearly and harmoniously the entire frequency spectrum is portrayed: no area obtrudes, nothing is missing, everything seems to be of a single piece. When the timpani start, you can practically hear—and at higher volumes, even feel—how the sound spreads through the room. I’ve rarely experienced orchestral music as balanced and lively as with the PW1.
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Anyone who enjoys immersing themselves deeply in recordings and wants to feel like they’re truly listening to the music will find the PW1 to be an extremely reliable and musical companion. Hats off to Peter van Willenswaard (PW) and Grimm Audio!
“The Grimm PW1 is a true mediator between groove and soul.” Jonas Bednarz, Lite Magazin, Germany
The Grimm Audio PW1 is a phono preamplifier for true audiophiles. Its understated appearance impresses with its class. Its purist concept appears austere on paper, but unfolds enormous emotional power in the listening room. The reproduction is natural, finely resolved, and carried by a calmness that is unparalleled. Particularly impressive was the ability to reproduce even the smallest details vividly and effortlessly, without ever seeming analytical. The cabinet is of uncompromisingly high quality, and the hidden adjustment options are both practical and elegant. Anyone who knows their record collection will be surprised by how much it still has to say. The Grimm PW1 is not an effects unit, but a true mediator between groove and soul. Anyone who appreciates this will be rewarded with an amplifier that sets standards both musically and technically.”
