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Views on Upgrade
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Aussie Mick View Drop Down
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Location: Bendigo Aust.
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    Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 10:30pm
Multiple sources, I'd definitely get the amp serviced. For a great many years, starting in 1998, I used an Arcam Alpha 9. The volume pot finally became too scratchy to tolerate so I decided to get it fixed, and the dealer suggested a full service for not terribly much more. I'm glad I did, as it came back sounding better than I could remember.

Other integrated amps over the years included Rotel, Cyrus, Marantz and NAD, some owned, some borrowed.

Since purchasing a Reflex M I've had many friends wanting to hear it in their systems and I've always obliged. It's a very consistent performer regardless of partner. It only ever disagreed with one system, which turned out to be down to the speakers. Just a poor system match. It's why the loan scheme is so terrific.

As for the Mojo, I'm glad you've found better digital sound. There's so much material not available any other way. I've not heard it, but I have a couple of friends who love theirs.
Mick.
Rega RP8 - Apheta 2 - Accession MC Enigma PS -Solo ULDE (Focal Utopia) - PS Audio M700 - Fical Kanta No2
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Baflar View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2017
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Points: 39 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Baflar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 12:29pm
Originally posted by Aussie Mick Aussie Mick wrote:

Do you only listen to vinyl? If you run other things through your amp then a good service will benefit everything you listen to.  [...]

Secondly, although I've not heard the Audiolab, so take this with a grain of salt, but I've not yet heard an onboard phono stage at that price of amp that couldn't be improved on by one of Graham's phono stages.
[...].


Thanks, Mick!  I think that second point is key.  The Audiolab 8000A was a phenomenon when it was launched, almost 30 years ago, and it outperformed anything else at its price point.  Unfortunately, Audiolab has gone through two changes of ownership that resulted in rather mediocre designs, but the current owners see fit to continue to sing the praises of the legendary 8000A: no doubt hoping that the 'heritage' will benefit modern sales.  (Long may Graham retain his independence!)  Check out:
http://www.audiolab.co.uk/about.php !

You've probably heard a wider range of integrated amps than I have, and to say that they could all be improved by a GA2C steers me towards the conclusion that I'm almost certainly going to have to hold my breath and empty my wallet: service the Audiolab AND buy the GA2C.  I've asked for a second loan period on the GA2C so that I can check it on the 'refurbed' Audiolab, but I can see the way this is going!

It would be a separate topic, but yes, I do listen to digital.  It all goes through my Chord Mojo DAC, a little device that punches way above its price point.  I've never been that impressed by CDs, but downloads at 192 kHz / 24 bit sound absolutely wonderful.

Cheers!
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Aussie Mick View Drop Down
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Hi Jon,
   I do the Rega/Ortofon thing with a Reflex M and I'm super happy. I also suspect that should I ever want to "upgrade" from my 2M Black, the Reflex could comfortably cover it and show the full benefits.

Clearaudio Charisma V2, anyone?
Mick.
Rega RP8 - Apheta 2 - Accession MC Enigma PS -Solo ULDE (Focal Utopia) - PS Audio M700 - Fical Kanta No2
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Aussie Mick View Drop Down
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Points: 1091 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Aussie Mick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 3:28am
Do you only listen to vinyl? If you run other things through your amp then a good service will benefit everything you listen to. If all you use is vinyl, and the GA2C was such an obvious improvement, well, you already know it's a big improvement, right?

Secondly, although I've not heard the Audiolab, so take this with a grain of salt, but I've not yet heard an onboard phono stage at that price of amp that couldn't be improved on by one of Graham's phono stages.

Good luck with your choice!
Mick.
Rega RP8 - Apheta 2 - Accession MC Enigma PS -Solo ULDE (Focal Utopia) - PS Audio M700 - Fical Kanta No2
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Baflar View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2017
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Points: 39 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Baflar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 1:04am
Here's an unexpected upgrade problem. I've been trying out the Gram Amp 2 Communicator (GA2C), in search of a cleaner treble and clearer soundstage. It sounded great, provided what I needed, and more besides. But then my 25-year old Audiolab 8000A amp showed signs of needing a servicing. I've contacted Kevin Green (who seems to come with recommendations on another forum site), who assured me that if he services the Audiolab the before-after improvement will be huge! The question is, does the phono stage of an Audiolab, at its best, equal a GA2C? (in which case, do I buy the GA2C or the Audiolab service?), or would the GA2C be necessary as well as the Audiolab service? Or would it make sense to stay with the Audiolab 'as is', and just get the GA2C? Wacko . The option of getting a completely new amplifier is a non-starter - I can't afford it!

I realise the proof of the pudding is in the listening, but there's no way of testing a refurbed Audiolab without buying the refurb!

For the record, the rest of the relevant equipment is: STD turntable, Hadcock unipivot arm, Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge, Harbeth HL Monitor (Mk.2) speakers. Fingers crossed for answers!
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morris_minor View Drop Down
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Joined: 27 Mar 2012
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Points: 6017 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote morris_minor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Aug 2017 at 12:05pm
Another welcome to forum from me, Jon . . .Smile

All of Graham's products offer exceptional performance at their price points, and I echo Ifor and Ian's comments. I'm a total convert to Graham's no-nonsense philosophy - as you could guess from my signature Embarrassed Big smile, so could be considered somewhat biased Shocked in my views.

I'd thoroughly recommend you take advantage of this forum's no-obligation loan scheme to try products in your own system so you can see how they perform for you. Just PM Fatmangolf (aka Jon) to arrange, if you feel so minded. 
Bob

Majestic DAC/pre-amp
Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V
Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50
2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links
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BackinBlack View Drop Down
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Joined: 05 Feb 2012
Location: Hinton, N'hants
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Points: 2020 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BackinBlack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 9:42pm
Jon, welcome from me too.
Like Ifor I got here after studying the forum for a while and acquiring a Fanfare MC phono. Then a Genera, then a Solo, then the ULDE upgrade, then a Reflex M, next a Majestic. You get the idea, once you hear GSP products you'll understand the philisophy.
Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it.
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