Graham slee jazz club vs reflex m vs gram amp 2 se vs whest ps 20

[Mateusz]

I'm looking for a good phono stage, up to 400,00 gbp on second hand market. Do you have experience with one of those above or could suggest something new to the table?
Regards

[petrat]

What cartridges are you using, Matt?

Some phonostages give more flexibility than others, but my favourite is this ... http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/rialto_mm_mc_phonostage.html
In my system, it saw off quite a few (higher priced) competitors.

If you only use mm, then this is identical, apart from not having the mc facility ... http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/simplex_mm_phonostage.html

[Mateusz]

Thanks Peter, that looks interesting. I will read more about it. I'm using mm cartridge at the moment. If you find some time, how would you describe your impressions of Rialto ps?

[hifi_dave]

I second the Rothwell. Lovely phono stages and step ups at very realistic prices.

[walpurgis]

I replaced my EAR 834P with a Graham Slee ERA V Gold and found a considerable improvement. Then I moved up to a Reflex M, which is slightly more detailed and transparent and very good indeed. I still love the ERA V Gold though, the blend of neutrality and musicality is very enjoyable.

[montesquieu]

The Jazz Club is the version of the Era V Gold that has variable EQ, useful for old recordings made before the RIAA standard was settled (sometime in the late 50s though you do get outliers into the 60s). But it's a bit of a specialist thing. The Era Gold V (which it is based on) is one of my favourite SS phono stages and better in my experience than the Whest ones of similar sort of price. I haven't tried the Rothwell so can't comment there.

If you prefer a valve phono stage I've had fun with the Icon ones around that sort of money.

[petrat]

Thanks Peter, that looks interesting. I will read more about it. I'm using mm cartridge at the moment. If you find some time, how would you describe your impressions of Rialto ps?

OK, I'll give it a go. Of course, there's always the issue of personal taste and the 'sound' of the rest of your system to be considered. If either is extreme, then you may well end up needing something that is also a bit out of the ordinary. If at one extreme some deliver a warm, rich, sluggish sound, and at the other extreme, some give a fast, detailed, thin/'etched' sound, then the Rialto takes a middle path. Assuming a relatively 'neutral' system and listening taste, then it seems to me to have the best of both worlds. I have found it to be both tonally accurate and nicely detailed, with excellent dynamics and sound-staging. If you look at the engineering behind it, this is entirely to be expected ... class A, matched transistors (no op-amps), quality components, clean signal path, stable 'zero global-feedback' circuit, off-board power supply, etc. I have had a load of valve and transistor phonostages over the last 20 years, and the Rothwell seems to me to strike a brilliant 'middle--way'. Downside? Lack of adjustability for mc input (for that you'll need a SUT, or a good headamp, like Rothwell's Headspace), but for most normal mc carts, it'll work fine.

[Spider]

Just bought a Relex Era Gold to pair up with Elevator head amp. I'll be taking a listen to them over the next few days. I'll let you know what I think.

[walpurgis]

Just bought a Relex Era Gold to pair up with Elevator head amp. I'll be taking a listen to them over the next few days. I'll let you know what I think.

You'll enjoy that Tim.

Which power supply did you get, the basic 'wall wart' or the PSU1? The Slee sounds very good with both, but the PSU1 just has the edge. Tell us what cartridge it will be used with. And definitely let us know how you find it sounds.

[Spider]

Got the PSU1 power supply
Will be using Ortofon Quintet Black and AT OC9mkiii might even try my 103 with them.

[walpurgis]

If you can borrow a good SUT, that could be an interesting comparison with the Elevator.

I found MCs to sound great with my SUTs via the ERA V Gold. Not tried the Elevator, but it has a good reputation.

[Mateusz]

Pete, thank you for your impressions. Did you have a chance to compare it to graham slee era gold v or reflex m?

Tom is jazz club sounding exactly the same as era gold v? I've read once impression, which said era gold v sounded better (even if internals were the same)

What about A.N.T. Audio Kora 3T ? Did any of you had a chance to listen to it? Is it worth to consider? How does it stand against Graham Slee mid/top line?