Graham Slee Green Solo 2008 upgrade options
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Headphone Audio
Forum Name: Graham Slee Headphone Amps
Forum Description: Questions, answers and product information zone for Graham Slee Headphone Amplifiers
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1227
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 2:30am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Graham Slee Green Solo 2008 upgrade options
Posted By: robdeszan
Subject: Graham Slee Green Solo 2008 upgrade options
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2011 at 10:32pm
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Hi all I have been a Solo Green 2008 owner (with Audio Technica w5000 headphones) for about three years and would like to upgrade the kit. I am now considering either purchasing the PSU1 unit (as I am currently using the supplied wallmart type plug) or upgrade with the DIY Ultra Linear kit instead and continue using the wallmart plug. Both are similarly priced and I can only afford one or the other, unfortunately. Which option, in your opinion, will bring the most significant improvement? Many thanks. Regards, Pat |
Replies:
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2011 at 10:52pm
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Welcome aboard Pat. It may take a few days for a response from members. Graham ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: mrarroyo
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2011 at 11:47pm
I hate this kind of question!  On one end you have the PSU1 which has basically been unchanged for a while and hopefully it will not (Graham would have to chime in). On the other side both the Solo SRG and SRGII are improvements over the Solo Green. If you wait till this coming weekend I can provide a point of reference to the Solo UL which would have 600 hours of burn in then. So now I say get the better amp (SRGII) in about 3 days it could be the UL but time will tell. Not much help right!  ------------- Miguel |
Posted By: robdeszan
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2011 at 9:08am
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I know, I know... I realize how beneficial external power supply can be, I have experienced it with my Naim stereo setup, hence the question. Having recently upgraded my speakers, I do feel that the headphones deserve better amplification as my stereo system has now bettered my headphone setup. I am looking for soundstage extension, better instrument separation and detail, sound decay and velvety silence between the sounds. These sound qualities have improved each time I added an external power supply in my stereo so I am curious whether PSU1 would have a similar effect on the Solo Green. It would be best if I could demo the amps and PSU and decide for myself but there are no GS dealers in Bristol area as far as I know. Thanks again. |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2011 at 9:38am
Dealers - oh!  Offer some of them something saleable and they turn their noses up at the very thought... Give them stuff with a 70% profit margin and they're happy until they don't sell any. Then they don't have any money left for the good stuff! Am I right? You bet I am! ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: hotmog
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2011 at 1:08pm
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Pat - why don't you put your name down for the UK loan programme? Under that scheme you could borrow a Solo U/L + PSU1, then you would be able to compare first hand how the Solo Green + PSU1 combination performs against the Solo U/L + wallmart plug combo. That should help you come to a decision. ------------- http://www.victorian-breweriana.uk - Hotmog's Victorian Breweriana |
Posted By: robdeszan
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2011 at 6:55pm
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Thanks That would be ideal really. I have already emailed Fatmangolf to ask about this. |
Posted By: jamescodway
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2011 at 9:08pm
Ears are the best judges of taste and enjoyment. Having said that, I have consistently found my '06 Solo is more convincing with my higher impedance cans (HD250, HD650, DT150) but the UL does the business with lower impedance (SRH 840/940, DT48, HD25-1, DT770-80) and is certainly better by a stretch with RS-1 & K701. My personal taste is not for ATs, though Graham has previously suggested I should persevere Good luck with your auditioning. Best James ------------- Voyager - HD25 |
hotmog wrote:Posted By: robdeszan
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2011 at 7:45am
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Exactly, it is all very subjective. I have also myself found that certain older products in my Naim set up for instance suit me better than their current equivalents and that's why, after demoing them at home, I've decided to recap, add power supplies and upgrade cables to use their potential to the fullest instead of replacing the actual units. I am just not sure how much the PSU1 would change in case of the Green Solo though. I do hope that a demo / test-drive can be arranged. Thanks. |
Posted By: tg [RIP]
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2011 at 8:34am
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Hi Pat, like you I have a "green" Solo and AT cans, thought mine are the W1000. I have not used the PSU1 with the "green" but I do have an over-spec 24V linear supply that I use from time to time with it. Without doing any significant comparisons (I have another use for the supply usually) - my general impression of the difference was that it gave the "green" more cojones, particularly when driving K701. I do have an UL Solo/PSU1 here to burn in but that only has around 300 hrs yet so a bit early for proper comparisons. Initial impressions though are that the AT's really respond well to the UL - whether that will continue/translate to when using an SMPS with it, remains to be seen. Naturally, your own testing will be the best guide and I will be interested in your thoughts on that. I will also post my thoughts on the combination in due course. |
Posted By: Jake
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2011 at 10:28am
| Interesting thread. I have a Green Solo, and a while ago a mate sent me his older PSU1 to borrow, but I have as yet not had the time to try it. Maybe I should pull my finger out and give it a whirl! :) |
Posted By: robdeszan
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2011 at 10:53am
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Seriously? Have you not been tempted? I would certainly be interested in your findings. :) |
Posted By: mihneam
Date Posted: 25 Jan 2012 at 7:28pm
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I've just got mine today and while I can't make an accurate judgement at this point I would only mention that a notable difference between switched and PSU1 could be heard at higher volumes. At the level I am using my Solo (10 o'clock) it really doesn't sound that differently. I have replaced the power cords of the 2 psu units with the Solo turned on and music playing and the capacitors in the Solo kept the load without any sign of decay... so what good a more powerful, muscular PSU if the capacitors alone in the amp unit can hold the peaks no sweat? Just wondering... which might be the applications when this much more improved linear psu really makes a difference?
Thank you. |