View Full Version : Just Bought My First Phono Stage
Groove Junkie
23-11-2013, 14:56
:DI've Just ordered my first phono stage. A Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator.
I looked at a couple of others : Musical Fidelity V-LPS II, and the Cambridge Audio 551P. After searching in vain for negative reviews about the Graham Slee however but finding none, I ordered one.
My goodness it's tiny! :stalks:you can't tell that from most pictures of it and I had to double check that I saw the dimensions correctly.
I had a Slee gram amp 2SE, loved it.
I changed to an Arkless modded CA 640P, different league for buttons.
I'd love to hear one against my Reflex M to see just how good it is.
The problem is, if it were to sound better, Mrs H would not be happy with me wanting to buy another box!
I'd love to hear one against my Reflex M to see just how good it is.
The problem is, if it were to sound better, Mrs H would not be happy with me wanting to buy another box!
There's a loaner Arkless phono doing the rounds.
Groove Junkie
29-11-2013, 16:12
Well, the Graham Slee Communicator arrived today. I know that you're supposed to let it burn in but I must say I am disappointed with the initial sound which is not any different to the quality before using it :scratch:. I hope it gets better or I will have wasted money I could have put toward an RCM instead. Everyone seems to love theirs. It's getting left on 24/7 so hopefully in two or three weeks....
chris@panteg
29-11-2013, 16:21
What we're you using before, built in phono?
What's the cartridge.
Groove Junkie
29-11-2013, 17:03
What we're you using before, built in phono?
What's the cartridge.
I was using the built in phono in my Denon PMA520AE and a Pro-Ject Carbon with Ortofon 2M red.
Mind you the record I'm listening to right now is Oscar Peterson and it's sounding deep bass and sooo good so perhaps I do just need to give it time.
I am so impatient :doh:
The Slee phono I had was supposed to be left on 247 and it supposedly needed seven days to burn in.
I thought it was a terrific phono, especially for the money.
One of the dealers on here was selling them for £150, a total bargain.
Tony
chris@panteg
29-11-2013, 18:50
Yes let it run in ! I've just received my Puresound T10 SUT,needs about a week running in but sounds very good so far.
walpurgis
29-11-2013, 19:31
Well, the Graham Slee Communicator arrived today. I must say I am disappointed with the initial sound....
I'm surprised to hear that you don't find the sound up to expectations. What are your other system components? In a balanced system Graham Slee products tend to be neutral and transparent and certainly don't disappoint, it could be that something else is holding the sound back.
Stratmangler
29-11-2013, 21:45
Yes let it run in ! I've just received my Puresound T10 SUT,needs about a week running in but sounds very good so far.
Into the phono stage in the Marantz?
How's it sounding?
I've got a Slee Reflex/PSU1 coming on their loaner scheme - 2 weeks to play with one.
Should be good :cool:
chris@panteg
29-11-2013, 21:58
Into the phono stage in the Marantz?
How's it sounding?
I've got a Slee Reflex/PSU1 coming on their loaner scheme - 2 weeks to play with one.
Should be good :cool:
Hi Chris, very impressed so far, the Marrantz phono stage is pretty decent, nicely balanced with good tone, will try it with the Diablo in a few days.
Let me know how you get on with yours.
Stratmangler
29-11-2013, 22:28
Hi Chris, very impressed so far, the Marrantz phono stage is pretty decent, nicely balanced with good tone, will try it with the Diablo in a few days.
Let me know how you get on with yours.
It'll be interesting to hear your take on the T10/Diablo against the Diablo on its own.
I'm hoping to see mine tomorrow :yay:
Stratmangler
02-12-2013, 20:50
The Reflex landed on Saturday morning, and I've been playing vinyl at every opportunity.
This phono stage is amazing, telling me about details in recordings on records I thought I knew inside out and backwards.
Surface noise has all but disappeared on good condition records, and on less than perfect records the noise levels have dropped to be of little consequence.
My GramAmp 2SE/PSU1 is a very good phono stage, but the Reflex/PSU1 betters it by some margin, and points out how well the GramAmp 2SE covers its tracks.
I'm going to listen to a few other phono stages before I commit to anything, but the bar has been raised very high to start with.
I'd better start saving :eyebrows:
chris@panteg
02-12-2013, 21:18
The Reflex landed on Saturday morning, and I've been playing vinyl at every opportunity.
This phono stage is amazing, telling me about details in opprecordings on records I thought I knew inside out and backwards.
Surface noise has all but disappeared on good condition records, and on less than perfect records the noise levels have dropped to be of little consequence.
My GramAmp 2SE/PSU1 is a very good phono stage, but the Reflex/PSU1 betters it by some margin, and points out how well the GramAmp 2SE covers its tracks.
I'm going to listen to a few other phono stages before I commit to anything, but the bar has been raised very high to start with.
I'd better start saving :eyebrows:
Wow, it's addictive isn't it Chris, how much is the reflex ? What other phono's are you thinking of then Chris .
The Reflex landed on Saturday morning, and I've been playing vinyl at every opportunity.
This phono stage is amazing, telling me about details in recordings on records I thought I knew inside out and backwards.
Surface noise has all but disappeared on good condition records, and on less than perfect records the noise levels have dropped to be of little consequence.
You have not heard the ifi iphono have you? I would be interested to know a comparison if you have.
walpurgis
02-12-2013, 21:24
Glad the Reflex has worked out for you Chris.
My ERA V Gold still astonishes me and I gather the Reflex is even better (hard to believe as the Gold is so good). Graham Slee products just sound fantastic for the money. They may not be much to look at, but they certainly deliver.
Stratmangler
02-12-2013, 21:32
Wow, it's addictive isn't it Chris, how much is the reflex ? What other phono's are you thinking of then Chris .
It's extremely good.
There's been a price increase recently, so it's around £700.00 ish.
There are some Ebay sellers with pre price increase product too.
I'd like to try the Firebottle MM, and seeing Andrei's post the iPhono might be possible to arrange.
Stratmangler
02-12-2013, 21:33
Have you got round to trying the SUT with the Diablo yet, Chris?
chris@panteg
02-12-2013, 21:41
Have you got round to trying the SUT with the Diablo yet, Chris?
Not as yet Chris , I'm getting there, just another day or so with the pearl lite , then with the Diablo , no idea what to expect but it should be a big leap surely ? The T10 is an exceptionally good SUT !! It's a keeper no question about it.
Stratmangler
02-12-2013, 21:50
Not as yet Chris , I'm getting there, just another day or so with the pearl lite , then with the Diablo , no idea what to expect but it should be a big leap surely ? The T10 is an exceptionally good SUT !! It's a keeper no question about it.
Big leap?
Maybe.
You might find that the Pearl Lite/SUT performs in a manner more to your liking.
You could also find find that the Diablo/SUT sound more convincing than just the gain stages in the Diablo, and bests the Pearl Lite/SUT pairing too.
The only way to find out is to give things a whirl, and it sounds to me as though you've already found a good place ;)
chris@panteg
02-12-2013, 22:03
Big leap?
Maybe.
You might find that the Pearl Lite/SUT performs in a manner more to your liking.
You could also find find that the Diablo/SUT sound more convincing than just the gain stages in the Diablo, and bests the Pearl Lite/SUT pairing too.
The only way to find out is to give things a whirl, and it sounds to me as though you've already found a good place ;)
Yes I'm delighted with the T10, a big thankyou to Guy Sargeant for his advice and help.
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