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DT999
Regular Joined: 07 Jan 2020 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 95 |
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OK so I have had my first evening of listening through the Reflex-M and thought I'd give my first impressions, although I am not sure how to articulate exactly what I hear, so take this into account when trying to interpret my descriptions!
The first thing I will say is that the Rega Fono MM stage and built in Elex-R phono stage are very good and I do like my 2M Bronze. Some people refer to this cartridge as being overly analytical and tending on being bright. I find it revealing and can certainly hear a separation of instruments and it has a good stereo image. So when I switched to the Reflex-M I was not sure what to expect; I will say it was not a "night and day" difference but there was a difference and an improvement but I had to listen to try and work out what it was. It took a lot of listening to really work out what differences I could hear, but the more I listened the more I could determine. The first thing I noticed was a more even balance across the low, mid and high frequencies. Previously the highs were perhaps a bit more forward, which may have given the impression of the cartridge being bright; this was toned down and I certainly did not have any sense of being fatigued. I had several hours of listening through speakers and later via headphones. The high frequencies were still there and very well revealed, I could clearly hear cymbals and hi-hat being struck with a nice decay and snare drum was crisp, but they were not so forward, more balanced. The bass also appeared deeper and fuller. I previously had good articulation and drive in the bass, this was still present but just felt 'richer' for want of a better description. The mids appeared more present, and voices really shone through with a smoothness to them; on one track I know that had some sibilance or sharpness to the female vocal, this seemed smoothed out. However I did notice on one record when listening through headphones that the male vocal (Peter Gabriel) was very forward and did cause some fatigue, but it may have been that one record. The next thing I noticed was the sound stage. As said I had a wide sound stage previously with quite defined stereo imaging, but now the sound stage seemed more 3D. The stereo imaging was still present and there was air around instruments and good separation, but I could now hear more in between the speakers. It was as if the separate instruments had consolidated, it sounded more like having the musicians perform together rather than layers of instruments being mixed for the recording. Somehow the playback seemed warmer and more analogue. I also thought I could hear more into the recording. As I said the 2M Bronze is revealing and I have always heard a lot being extracted from a record, but now I was able to hear a few subtleties I had not heard previously, particularly background or backing vocals and instruments. I listened to some live recordings, and there was more of a feeling of being present with the audience rather than just listening to a recording, and in particular with BB King live at Cook County Jail, I could hear more nuances in his fingering, bends and vibrato. By the time I finished I was convinced there is an improvement using the Reflex-M, but I still have to be sure the differences will justify the potential outlay. I don't mind spending on something that provides an enhancement and value - that is the beauty of a home trial to determine that value to you. I plan on using the Reflex-M in my system over the next couple of weeks and then switch back to the Rega phono; if I notice a major difference, or just feel that there is something missing when I switch back, that should let me know. Cheers Derek
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Rega Planar 3 > Accession MM / Thorens TD160 > Reflex M > Modwright LS100 tube preamp > Solo ULDE / Proprius > Monitor Audio Silver 500 / 2 x SVS SB1000 subwoofers
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ICL1P
Senior Member Joined: 04 Aug 2012 Location: Faringdon, Oxon Status: Offline Points: 2341 |
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That’s a good plan.
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Ifor
===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |
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RichW
Senior Member Joined: 21 Jan 2013 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 1471 |
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Good write-up Derek & it sounds like you're hearing an improvement with the Reflex.
Yes, going back after a couple of weeks to your old amp will be the clincher. |
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Majestic/Enigma, Accession MM & MC.
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Fatmangolf
Moderator Group Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Location: Middlesbrough Status: Offline Points: 9001 |
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Thanks Derek for joining us here and sharing your review.
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Jon
Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
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DT999
Regular Joined: 07 Jan 2020 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 95 |
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So an update; I did hear a difference when switching back to the Rega Fono and it did appear to be a step backwards.
I received a brand new Reflex M this week; now just waiting for it to Burn-in; although it still sounds good out of the box. I can certainly recommend the loaner program for anyone considering a GSP product; there is nothing like trying it for yourself in your own system. Now I just have to save up for another phono stage for my 2nd TT |
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Rega Planar 3 > Accession MM / Thorens TD160 > Reflex M > Modwright LS100 tube preamp > Solo ULDE / Proprius > Monitor Audio Silver 500 / 2 x SVS SB1000 subwoofers
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Scoobydoo
New Member Joined: 22 Dec 2019 Location: Derbyshire Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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Great review mate, and as you know I had the Reflex M on loan around the same time as you did. My review would have been virtually identical to yours (if only you didn't beat me to writing one! Haha).
Definitely an improvement over the Rega fono! However, before I bite the bullet, I have just ordered the Accession on the loaner program to compare the three (Rega fono, Reflex M, and Accession mm). I shall report back in a couple of weeks!!
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DT999
Regular Joined: 07 Jan 2020 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 95 |
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Cheers Andy, I look forward to reading your view of the Accession compared to the Reflex in terms of sound quality; I will be looking for a 2nd phono stage, but all my records are post 1960 and I don't archive so I won't use the extra features on the Accession, so any decision on my next stage would be based only on SQ, and I am very happy with the Reflex
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Rega Planar 3 > Accession MM / Thorens TD160 > Reflex M > Modwright LS100 tube preamp > Solo ULDE / Proprius > Monitor Audio Silver 500 / 2 x SVS SB1000 subwoofers
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