Grimm Audio PW1 Phono Preamplifier

For generations, the magic of vinyl has captivated music lovers. The Grimm Audio PW1 is an instrument born from a lifetime of devotion to that magic. Designed by Grimm Audio’s co-founder Peter van Willenswaard, the PW1 is a phono preamplifier that challenges the conventions of solid-state design to achieve a sound that is spacious, rhythmically addictive, and profoundly emotional. It embraces a unique minimalist philosophy, focusing on the purity of a simple signal path rather than just chasing low distortion figures. With an ultra-quiet internal power supply and exhaustive cartridge loading options, the PW1 is a masterpiece of Dutch engineering, designed to be the silent, truthful link to the heart of your record collection.

Key Features

• Unique Minimalist Circuit Design: Engineered with the fewest possible components in the signal path to preserve the purity and integrity of the delicate phono signal.
• Universal Cartridge Compatibility: Features separate inputs for both Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) cartridges.
• Exhaustive Loading Options: A vast array of user-selectable resistive and capacitive loading options for both MM and MC cartridges allows for a perfect electrical match.
• Flexible Gain Structure: Multiple gain settings, including an optional +10dB boost, provide up to 77dB of total gain, accommodating everything from high-output MMs to the lowest-output MCs.
• Silent Internal Linear Power Supply: A superiorly shielded, custom-designed internal power supply eliminates the need for a noisy external box, a unique feat for a high-gain phono stage.
• Copper Shielded Interior: A copper sub-chassis provides exceptional shielding against internal and external electromagnetic interference, ensuring an ultra-low noise floor.
• Balanced and Single-Ended Outputs: Features both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs for universal compatibility with any preamplifier or integrated amplifier.
• Elegant and Discreet Controls: All gain and loading DIP switches are cleverly hidden behind a sliding panel on the bottom of the unit, maintaining a clean, minimalist aesthetic.
• Handmade in the Netherlands: Meticulously assembled by hand, ensuring the highest standards of quality and reliability.

The Purity of Minimalism

The design philosophy of the PW1 is one of elegant simplicity. Grimm Audio believes that the best way to preserve the magic captured in a record groove is to ensure the signal encounters the fewest possible components on its journey. The PW1's minimalist, solid-state circuit is the result of exhaustive research to find a design that lets the music flow with the least possible interference. This approach results in a sound that is incredibly spacious, detailed, and open, yet rhythmically addictive and emotionally involving.

The Silent Foundation

A phono preamplifier must amplify a signal of a few microvolts without adding any noise of its own—a monumental task. The PW1 achieves a profoundly black background through heroic engineering. Unlike most high-end phono stages that require a separate, cumbersome power supply, the PW1 features a custom-designed, ultra-low-noise linear power supply built directly into its chassis. This is made possible by a superiorly shielded transformer and a copper sub-chassis that isolates the delicate audio circuits from any hint of electrical interference, ensuring the music emerges from a void of pure silence.

The Ultimate Cartridge Companion

The PW1 is designed to be the perfect partner for any phono cartridge ever made. Hidden discreetly behind a sliding panel on the bottom of the unit is a comprehensive array of DIP switches that allow for precise tuning. You can select from multiple gain settings to perfectly match your cartridge's output. A vast range of resistive and capacitive loading options for both MM and MC cartridges ensures you can create the ideal electrical environment, allowing your cartridge to perform at its absolute peak and deliver the exact tonal balance the manufacturer intended.

Form Follows Function

The PW1's unique, compact form is a direct reflection of its minimalist design philosophy. The elegant, rectangular chassis is exquisitely finished and feels incredibly solid and dense. By placing the adjustment controls on the bottom panel, the exterior remains clean and uncluttered, creating a piece of industrial art that is beautiful to behold. This is an instrument where every design choice, from the copper-shielded interior to the silent power supply, is made in service of one goal: the purest possible reproduction of your cherished vinyl collection.

For systems that require a digital connection from a vinyl source, the PW1 pairs naturally with the Grimm Audio UC1 universal AD/DA converter, providing a high-quality path from your turntable into a digital playback system.

The Listening Room Difference

When you shop with The Listening Room, you get more than just gear. As a third-generation, family-run business with a passion for music and decades of experience, we offer personalized service that goes far beyond the sale. Call, text, or email, and you’ll get a real human who knows this equipment inside and out. From in-store demos to curated home system design and wide-radius delivery, we’re here to help you get the absolute best out of your purchase.

Specifications