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Gram Amp 2se / Reflex M
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musicdude View Drop Down
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    Posted: 24 Jul 2011 at 4:52pm
Hi everybody, I'm new in this forum and like to get your opinion.

Since 2004 I use the GA 2 SE and my ears are telling me it's time
to get something more sophisticated. Wink 
I'm leaning towards the Reflex M.
What can I expect?

Thank you
musicdude
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tg [RIP] View Drop Down
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Points: 1866 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tg [RIP] Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jul 2011 at 5:40pm

Welcome to the forum,

without knowing anything about your system, musical tastes or what you feel to be the shortcomings of your present setup, it is rather difficult to offer you any helpful answer.

The best that I can suggest is, that since you seem to have been happy with the G2SE for 7 years, you will pretty certainly be very happy with the Reflex.

What differences you will notice may range from noticeable to profound, depending on the rest of your equipment and your own listening preferences (and perceptions).

I have owned a Reflex for a number of years and before that the Era Gold V, I felt that the Reflex was an improvement on the EGV, by extension (and recent trial) I consider it to better the G2SE (as might reasonably be expected).

The better your cartridge and TT (and the rest of your equipment) the more difference you may expect to notice.

Perhaps this will help a little.
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musicdude View Drop Down
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Points: 115 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote musicdude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jul 2011 at 6:37pm
Ok, here is my current setup. It's a mix of brands, new and used equipment but my ears like it and it is, imo the best bang for the buck, except the speakers...

Amplifier: Korsun V8i,    Speaker cables: MIT AVt bw1,    Speakers: Revel F52,  Turntable: Pioneer PLC 590 with SME 3009 s2 arm,  Pickup:  Grado Reference Sonata 1 and the G2SE which I power via two motorcycle 12Volt batteries in series.

I heard improvements in sound after upgrading to the F52's than again with the MIT's and the last improvement I got with the batteries powering the G2SE. This system evolved over the course of ~10 years when I lived in New York.

I bet you never had such a system setup.... 

What are your thought's?

Edited by musicdude - 24 Jul 2011 at 6:40pm
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tg [RIP] View Drop Down
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Points: 1866 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tg [RIP] Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jul 2011 at 3:04am

For the little it is worth, I doubt your deck and cartridge will limit your experience of the improvements brought by the Reflex should you choose to upgrade.

Rather nice looking and seems a well regarded, if somewhat uncommon, deck.

What I was trying to say was that, your expectations will be unique to yourself and no-one can say with any certainty that they will be met.

The Reflex is definitely superior to the G2SE and your system seems sufficient to benefit from the qualities it will bring.

I have also never had a setup like that of Mikey F. (and doubt I ever will), he has probably heard more phono stages than I have had hot dinners and he was rather taken with the predecessor of the Reflex.

Check the response of another poster to the C version http://www.gspaudio-community.activeboards.net/forum_posts.asp?TID=1058 for an indication of the capabilities of this unit, the sonic qualities will be the same, only the gain is different.

I would doubt that you would be disappointed.

Whether the batteries will prove superior to the PSU1 is something that many might be interested to hear, should you make the comparison in time to come.
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musicdude View Drop Down
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Points: 115 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote musicdude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jul 2011 at 6:03pm
Thanks tg for your statements. It gives me the confidence that I'm on the right track towards vinyl heaven. That the Reflex will be better than the G2SE I believe without a doubt!

If the batteries will be better than the PSU1 I would answer as a definitive yes. When amplifying such a weak signal from the cartridge, you want the cleanest of DC you can get and that is from a battery. There is no alternating current from the power grid being converted to direct current, and then filtered to remove the 50/60Hz pulses and the pulses that come from the rectifier circuit. Clean power equals into clean music. The difference I have heard since the G2SE is powered by batteries is just astonishing! I belief the Reflex will also benefit from it.

Using the batteries with the Reflex should equal into as having a $3000 phono amp! (an educated guess)
Hi-End on a budget! I think I go for the Reflex.  Thumbs%20Up    

Btw: Who is Mikey F?   I just remembered, it's got to be Michael Fremer from Stereophile.  

Edited by musicdude - 26 Jul 2011 at 9:07pm
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musicdude View Drop Down
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Points: 115 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote musicdude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2011 at 3:44pm
Here is my review for the Reflex M.       I’ll say one word …… superb!  Clap

I have been listening with the Reflex M for a month now and I have to say the improvements are very noticeable. What strikes me is that never before heard instruments, I can hear now! The sound stage is now much deeper and wider and instruments can now be exactly located. It’s like having a curtain of “gloom” lifted in front of the speakers.

Vocals are very natural and clean, it’s like having the singer standing in front of you. Guitars, violins or the bass sound incredibly lifelike. Violins used to sound annoying at times but with the Reflex M it’s a joy to listen to it. If you like classical or jazz, this is the phono amp to get!

Highs are clear as crystal and without any glare or edginess. The middle is accurate and makes vocals sound so lifelike. For example when listening to the duet with Neal Diamond and Barbra Streisand in “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” (CBS 85844, 1982) it gives me a shiver down the spine! That’s how real it sounds! Doesn’t happen with CD. This is also in part due to the Grado Reference Sonata 1 which presents vocals very well.
 
The bass is deep, powerful, precise and never muddy. Just like CD’s ….  Wink       If you have speakers that are very revealing, the Reflex M will “open” your ears even further.

I don’t have the PSU1, I use my batteries as power source. I have seen the benefit before and it sure benefits the Reflex M.

After one month listening to the Reflex M, I can wholeheartedly recommend it to all vinyl lovers who don’t want to spend thousands on a MC setup but want the musicality a MM can deliver. Hi-End does not have to cost a fortune.



Edited by musicdude - 09 Sep 2011 at 7:42pm
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Fatmangolf View Drop Down
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That's a very helpful review musicdude, and has made me think that I need to buy a Reflex M. tg has encouraged me to do so before now, your review has tipped me into acting. Thank you! 
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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