New believer!

What started as a quest to figure out what was wrong with my TT setup has led me to this great place. I've recently acquired a Rega P6 fitted with an Ortofon 2M Bronze for my birthday. For the longest time I had it connected directly to my Rotel RA-1572 integrated amp and I just could not get it to sound right. I would endlessly A/B tracks between a digital source (Tidal via PC-USB) and what I was getting from my TT and was driven mad by how flat, almost lifeless things sounded. Sound was rather bright, mids were thin and details that I knew were there were veiled. I knew something was not right, I just couldn't put a finger on it. It's really hard to describe what you ears hears in words but that's the best description I could come up with. But when you have listened to something for so long, you expect it to sound a certain way.

After much deliberation with folks over at Steve Hoffman forums, the first observation was that I needed a 2mm shim to raise the Rega arm up to better suit the Ortofon. So I did that, and while I got a slight bit of improvement, it was not noticeable enough to make a huge difference. I felt that I got some of my lows back. But that thin bright sound lingered.

A few suggested that the integrated phono pre on my Rotel could be the culprit. So I decided to get my hands on an external phono pre and I put a deposit on a P******t Tube Box S2. At the same time, I was told about this amazing piece of art called the Reflex M and the loaner program. I did not hesitate, I came here, registered and within a couple of days I was talking to "BAK" who was an absolute joy to deal with and I had a unit shipped my way.

Upon connecting the S2, I immediately noticed a significant improvement over what I was hearing. Music has come alive, was full and while it was a tad bit too bright for my taste it still sounded eons better than what I was hearing through the Rotel's phono. And I thought to myself, that's it! I'm on the right track now, we have finally arrived. The records starting sounding better than their digital counterparts. I got the sound I was yearning for. I was ecstatic! And then I remembered, the Reflex M.. 

A couple of days later, FedEx knocks on my door with my care package from Bruce. I must say I was not expecting much, how much better can these records sound? Well apparently, a LOT better. Within 30 seconds of playing the A-side of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here..  a pressing from 1975 I picked up when I was in Chicago on a work trip. I was appalled. The bass lines.. the drums punched deeper than ever.. better than any digital version that I had ever heard. I was floored. This old pressing, that's been through so much. How can it sound that good?

I spent the rest of the week and the weekend going through my humble collection of 35+ records and it was like I was experiencing them for the first time. The soundstage, the separation, the thickness of the sound was simply delicious.

Needless to say.. the TubeBox is going back and I am a believer in the dark voodoo magic that Graham Slee has created in this small silver box. I can only begin to imagine what the Ascension can do, but I must crawl, before I can walk and eventually run. This has been a truly eye opening (and ear opening!) experience. I cannot wait to put my order for my very own Reflex M and when the time is right I would love to try the power amps and invest in those. I'm a believer of this product and what GS has achieved here. I am thankful for this community, and Bruce for volunteering his time to educate me about this and for giving me the opportunity to test this marvel of a device in my home. I don't think you can do this any better. I just felt that I should share this lovely experience with all of you.

I cannot wait to start this journey and I look forward to all the many things I will learn and tinker with along the way. So much music to listen to.. just not enough time!

Glad to be here!

Shaz aka. Andy

Glad to hear the Reflex M is working out for you. And don't worry about having only 35 records...these things have a way of multiplying exponentially before you even notice :). 

RE: Chicago, I don't physically get out to the stores there as often as I'd like...it can be a great place to shop for records.