GRIMM AUDIO PW1 PHONO PREAMPLIFIER NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK

Grimm Audio’s highly anticipated PW1 phono preamplifier is now officially available to UK HiFi enthusiasts, following its initial launch announcement last December.

The PW1 is distributed in the UK by Sound Design Distribution and caters to both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges with a focus on clarity, flexibility, and minimalist design. Read our original launch coverage here.

GRIMM AUDIO PW1 PHONO PREAMPLIFIER MAKES UK DEBUT

Created by Grimm Audio co-founder Peter van Willenswaard, the Grimm Audio PW1 Phono Preamplifier adopts a purist approach. Its circuit design avoids unnecessary complexity by using single low-noise FET amplification stages for each step in the signal path. These stages bring MC signals up to MM level, amplify the signal prior to RIAA correction, apply accurate RIAA equalisation, and buffer the output—all without employing negative feedback.

GRIMM AUDIO PW1 PHONO PREAMPLIFIER’S INTERNAL ENGINEERING

Key to the PW1’s sound is the use of meticulously selected components, bespoke power supply stages for each amplifier section, and a layout engineered to achieve high signal-to-noise performance. The result is an open, detailed, and rhythmically compelling sound signature that’s easy to integrate into high-end systems.

BUILT-IN POWER SUPPLY

Unlike many competitors that rely on external power units to mitigate interference, the Grimm Audio PW1 Phono Preamplifier includes a custom ‘silent’ power transformer inside its aluminium chassis. A copper sub-chassis adds an additional layer of shielding, helping to maintain signal purity even with the most sensitive cartridges.

EXTENSIVE INPUT OPTIONS FOR MM AND MC USERS

The Grimm Audio PW1 Phono Preamplifier features dedicated inputs for both MM and MC cartridges. A sliding panel on the unit provides access to selectable gain and load settings, with a reference table supplied in the manual. This allows for easy adaptation to a wide range of cartridge types, including high-output MC models.

DESIGN MATCHES FUNCTION

Industrial designer Michiel Uylings, also known for his work on the Grimm MU1, has given the PW1 a sleek and purposeful aesthetic. The clean, minimal design matches the product’s sonic ambitions, making it a good visual companion to the Grimm MU2 streamer/DAC/preamp and LS1 active loudspeakers.

GRIMM AUDIO PW1 PHONO PREAMPLIFIER PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The Grimm Audio PW1 Phono Preamplifier is available in the UK from June 2025. It is priced at £4695 (inc. VAT).

HiFi PiG Says: We are pleased to see the new Grimm Audio PW1 Phono Preamplifier now available to UK based audiophiles!