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Open to all owners plus those contemplating the purchase of a Graham Slee HiFi System Components audio product and wishing to use this forum's loaner program: join here (Rules on posting can be found here)

This website along with trade marks Graham Slee and HiFi System Components are owned by Cadman Enterprises Ltd


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NeillP View Drop Down
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    Posted: 05 May 2020 at 5:16pm
Finally decided that a new phono preamp is required. My vinyl needs are based on a collection of approx 400 LPs , including a chunk of 12" singles, I am not planning on expanding the collection, but want to maintain a decent standard to keep enjoying them. 
The hifi journey has now ended up on a TD166BC, motor mods, rewired RB300, AT150mlx into Rotel 1062 driving B&W CM7, Marantz SA8005 CD, QED reference interconnects and Russ Andrews mains 'stuff'. This is the result of the need to maintain mortgage, feed the family, run cars, have holidays and all those good things that contribute to my general well being and sanity. Bang for buck, and synergy between the components were the main drivers. Current phono preamp is a fading cambridge 640P.
Having spent the early part of my working life with Celestion (SL6, SL600) Wharfedale, (introduction of the Diamond) and had a great time... reality caught up and i had to get a proper job and raise a family Big smile
Music ranges from Geminiani/Vivaldi, anything by the 16, Santana, Eric Clapton and Hubert Laws/Freddie Hubbard, so fairly catholic range. I don't want the equipment to contribute and want the system to be as 'open window' as possible.
So, for a phono preamp that will maintain my access to the vinyl archive, let the music through, and not need deep financing leading to the chain reaction of new disc spinner, arm, cartridge and the upgrade bug biting deep...I am considering the Communicator 2 or 2SE. Any views, or do I just go to the loan scheme?      
TD166, RB300rewired, AT150MLX, Rotel RA1062, B&W CM7, Marantz SA8005, QED Ref. interconnects, RA mains
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kgilroy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kgilroy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2020 at 5:24pm
For me the automatic choice is the ERA Gold V since that is what got me into vinyl and it offers huge benefit vs cost. I have no experience of the others you mention.
Keith

Marantz TT-15S1, Maestro V2, Accession MM, Icon Audio Stereo 40 Mk lll, Wharfedale Jade 3.

Mac Mini, BitPerfect, Dynaudio Xeo2

Marantz SA-15S1, Apple TV, Cambridge CXA60, B&W DM2000, REL Sub
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote patientot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2020 at 5:47pm
If you are using an AT cart I would recommend a model with 100pf or less input capacitance. The models from the GA2SE and beyond all meet that spec. Maybe you could try both the GA2SE and one of the other models like an EGV and decide what you like best? I cannot recommend the loan program enough. That's how I ended up with a Reflex M after BAK recommend this model. I got to try it first and really liked it a lot, so then I bought one. 
SL-1200 MK7 (modified) + Reflex M + PSU-1 used with AT150-40ML, AT VM95ML, Stanton 680mkII + Ogura, and Shure M35X cartridges.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote NeillP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2020 at 6:59pm
Thanks for the insight, I will resist the loan for anything too grand, the vinyl collection is static after all and too many things to do and places to go....
TD166, RB300rewired, AT150MLX, Rotel RA1062, B&W CM7, Marantz SA8005, QED Ref. interconnects, RA mains
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NeillP View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NeillP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jun 2020 at 2:36pm
So....... the saga continues, having benefited from the loan scheme, wonderful and so necessary to properly assess the units, I have ended up with a Gram Amp 2 SE and PSU1. A whole raft of turntable issues to resolve as the 2 together are so revealing and back on a journey of front end problem solving..... for daring to upgrade the phono preamp. So suspension reset in progress, new belt bought, games with mats are ongoing and the music is flowing and getting better as I adapt to the demands of the new kit. Thanks to John for all his assistance, and a huge endorsement of the loan scheme. May even consider buying some vinyl again after a break of several decades.
So much for just caretaking my vinyl collection and making sure there was a viable future for my music archive, all the fault of Graham Slee, thank you for reigniting my vinyl world.  
TD166, RB300rewired, AT150MLX, Rotel RA1062, B&W CM7, Marantz SA8005, QED Ref. interconnects, RA mains
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BackinBlack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jun 2020 at 3:14pm
That jaw dropping moment of realisation that vinyl can sound so good, suddenly hearing things on a recording that you never heard before - Wonderful.
Glad you got sorted after using the loan scheme, another unique Graham Slee experience.

Happy Listening
Ian
Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VinodCrispon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jul 2020 at 6:59am
@NeillP Great Decision to go with the PSU1, which keeps your power needs sorted for future upgrades towards the Accession. Unless you would want to taste the difference of "Enigma" Wink

Question to GSP Pioneers:
PSU-1 Enigma for MM phono stage does it provide improvements? or its a Overkill considering the PSU-1 has served so well 
Vinod Vincent

Elevator & Accession w PSU-1/ Majestic w Enigma/ Cusat/ Lautus
TT: Amazon 1(Candenza Bronze)
Amp: Accuphase E650
CD/Streamer: OPPO UDP205/CYRUS StreamX2
Speaker: Dynaudio Contour S3.4
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