Elevator EXP experience

I wasn't intending to go in to a lengthy review of my listening observations as I am sure there are more articulate and electronically-literate reviews on the forum already. Just to say that the EXP did everything that I had hoped it would, and more.

However, and I can't explain why adding another item in to the chain should do so, but, apart from being much louder for the same volume setting, the music seemed to come alive. Instruments and vocals seemed to be better defined and the bass appeared to go lower and tighter. Perhaps I was just hearing what I wanted to hear, but I don't think so. It was as though the pre-amp hadn't been able to pick up all of the information on its own directly from the cartridge and needed the EXP to fill in the missing parts.   

One example, an old favourite of mine, a Practical Hi-FI/Nimbus pressing of Joan Armatrading's self-titled album. Putting the record on, sitting back in the armchair and closing my eyes as dusk was falling, Joan was singing beautifully to me a few feet in front of the speakers. While her band were spread out (I almost said spaced out, but they seemed much too together for that) behind her, seemingly a few feet behind the speakers (and almost through the wall in to the next room!). Everything sounded individually and collectively just right. I was able to relax in to the the music and not think about the hi-fi - an old cliché, but that is how it was. And not just for that particular record.

 

Anyway, suffice to say that I have now ordered my own Elevator EXP (of course) and some CuSat50 cable to go with it. I had not thought of the extra cable I would need when requesting the loan EXP, so things should sound even better when that arrives as well!

 

Now, I wonder what a Reflex M/Proprius would sound like with the EXP in my system...   

simply stunning is the answer 

PS: nice write up!!

Thanks for pointing that out Bob.

 

a LOMC into an MM stage.
The Elevator/Accession combo is quite special, having tried it recently.