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Will I be sold on Slee?
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Timpdj View Drop Down
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    Posted: 29 Dec 2020 at 5:14pm
Hello - new member from Essex in UK. 

Having been satisfied with my setup for a few years, I suddenly got the upgrade bug again and have made some changes this year. With working from home I’ve never listened to more music than I have in 2020. 

I have an Elac Miracord 70 with upgraded AT VMN40ML cartridge, paired with Rega Elex-R amp. I also stream Tidal via an Audiolab M-Dac, which is a wonderful bit of kit. Speakers are Neat Motive SX2. I just decided to remove my CD player as it wasn’t getting used between the vinyl and streaming. The player is a Rega Apollo, lovely, but not getting any attention of late (and probably going up for sale if anyone’s interested). Everything is plumbed together with quality cables. 

I really should be satisfied with all this shouldn’t I? But I got reading about phono pre-amps. While the Elex-R does a great job with my Elac, could I be getting more from it? That’s what I’m trying to find out. 

Like others I’ve looked at the Rega Fono, but the Slee products started to catch my eye in reviews and roundups. 

I’ve been lucky enough to arrange a demo unit (Reflex M) through the loaner scheme, so I’m looking forward to listening to it over the coming few weeks. Will I be sold? 

Hope everyone has had a nice Christmas. 
Tim 
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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: 29 Dec 2020 at 10:08pm
Hi Tim,
  Welcome to the forum. I’ve not heard the internal phono stage in the Elex, so cant comment. But I have heard the Fono and Reflex M. I preferred the Reflex for its added detail, quieter demeanor (even surface noise was reduced), bass weight without being tubby, superior soundstage and ease of presentation. 
Just me - I’m sure the loan will tell you all you need to know to form your own opinion. 
Best of luck
Mick.
Rega RP8 - Apheta 2 - Accession MC Enigma PS -Solo ULDE (Focal Utopia) - PS Audio M700 - Fical Kanta No2
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lfc jon View Drop Down
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Points: 4353 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lfc jon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Dec 2020 at 3:46pm
Hi Timpdj
Can't comment on the Elex.  I started off with the GS SE2 playing throw a Audiolab 8300 amp and the 1st thing I notices was the same as Mick the low surface noise I was very impressed, THEN the more detail I was getting, before that I was using the amps built in phono amp. I hope this gives you some idea of what you may get from the Reflex M. From what I have read it seems to me that a lot of phono stages built into AMPs now a days are just an after thought and little attention is payed to them (this is just my opinion)and as we all know that a lot of manufacturers make their own stand alone phono stages, why would they if the built in ones were that good ???
Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze.
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If that built in phono stage is like other Rega phono stages I've heard it will have a rather dull presentation. I'm sure there is a technical explanation for why that is the case but I don't know offhand why that is. 

A GS Reflex should sound an order of magnitude better. If not, something is wrong. 
SL-1200 MK7 (modified) + Reflex M + PSU-1 used with AT150-40ML, AT VM610 MONO, AT VM95ML, Stanton 680mkII + Ogura, and Shure M35X cartridges.
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Timpdj View Drop Down
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”Order of magnitude” excites me! Staying open minded, but definitely excited to hear the Reflex M. It certainly stands to reason that a dedicated device constructed for the sole purpose of handling the phono signal would do a better job than one of many components in the amp. Will report on my views. 
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lfc jon View Drop Down
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patientot
I did try out a Rega Fono phono stage once a few years ago and your words Rather dull is how I found it that's why I ended up with SE2, it was just a bit better than the built in one in the 8300 amp the SE2 was far better than the both of them and the lower surface noise of the SE2 impressed me too. 
Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze.
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Hi Tim

I also have a Rega Elex-R and also had the Rega Fono, I have 2 turntables connected one was via the built in stage and one the Fono. 

About a year ago I also got the upgrade bug and tried the GSP Reflex M.

You can read my thoughts on the improvement here 

Anyway, I was so impressed, I ended up not only getting the Reflex but also an Accession, and I now have both turntables connected via GSP phono stages and am very happy with the results.

Hope you enjoy your trial and looking forward to hear your impression.

Cheers
Derek

 
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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