What amps are you using?
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: And the rest
Forum Name: Amplification
Forum Description: Share your interests or views on amplifiers, preamps, etc
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2162
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 5:57am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: What amps are you using?
Posted By: Ernie
Subject: What amps are you using?
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2014 at 4:32pm
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Hi All, Been tinkering with odds and sod for the last couple of years now and hadn't actual bought a new piece gear until buying an Era last week since 1996. How time flies! I've got a Naim cd3.5, a Naimesque power amp, a passive preamp, LP12(Ittok LVII, Dynavector 10X5, Hercules), Sonos and the aforementioned Era driving a pair of ProAc SC1 speakers. So I'm potentially looking for a new amp(s). Wouldn't mind looking at Proprius but what about a preamp? What are people using out there? Just interested to know what gear people are using these days. I like the Naim gear for its apparent clarity and authority but I do hanker for the sound stage I used to get from my old Musical Fidelity E10 wooly though it was. Clarity, soundstage and a bit of authority am I asking much? ------------- There are 10 kinds of people. Those who understand binary and those who don't. |
Replies:
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2014 at 4:57pm
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Hi Chris, I'm wondering what a "Naimesque" power amp is . . .  If you only have one analogue source, and one or more digital sources Graham's new Majestic DAC would fit the bill. I'm using it as a pre-amp with vinyl and digital sources. My first impressions with just vinyl were that it was the clearest I'd heard, such was the improvement over my previous pre-amp. Listening on speakers today to digital sources, even though the unit is far from burnt in, the sound stage sounds enormous. I'm using it with active speakers, but in my AV system a couple of Proprii do a stunning job with music and movies, and like the Majestic, installing these with Graham's Spatia speaker cable increased dynamics, depth and detail. As I'm writing this I know I'll have to put the Majestic in the living room system at some point out of sheer curiosity and let it drive the Proprii. I'm certain I won't want to put it back in the study . . Also, next up on Graham's development plan is a pukka pre-amp. Judging by the Majestic it'll be a corker if you can wait for it. Edit: forgot to say to - why not take advantage of the loan scheme to try kit out for yourself?
------------- 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 |
Posted By: Ernie
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2014 at 7:21pm
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Hi Bob, Naim 180 boards with some transformers I had made. Err bit confused, I know nothing of the Majestic DAC, how are you using it as a preamp for an analogue source? ------------- There are 10 kinds of people. Those who understand binary and those who don't. |
Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2014 at 7:59pm
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It's a shame the Majestic DAC Preamp product page isn't up yet. The spec is all hidden away in the rather mega Big DAC thread. It is a preamp DAC with one analogue and five digital inputs; 2 optical, 2 coaxial and 1 USB. ------------- Ifor ===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |
Posted By: Ernie
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2014 at 8:28pm
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Sound interesting Ifor, how much are they? Should I be sitting down? ------------- There are 10 kinds of people. Those who understand binary and those who don't. |
Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2014 at 8:31pm
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Graham's not published the price yet, but some, like Bob, are in the know. ------------- Ifor ===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |
Posted By: Ernie
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2014 at 1:59pm
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Is it worth waiting for the preamp? I notice it's been on the cards for a while. Is there a release date? ------------- There are 10 kinds of people. Those who understand binary and those who don't. |
Posted By: Dave Friday
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2014 at 2:51pm
| Why do you need a preamp if what your using now works? |
Posted By: Ernie
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2014 at 3:33pm
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Hi Dave, I'm using a Dynavector 10x5 and there isn't really enough gain in the phono stage to drive the power amp (well not enough to annoy the neighbours). Graham kindly gave me an opamp design which I'll build over the weekend as a stop gap but having not listened to any gear recently I was wondering what other people are using to get a bit of a short list. Just being nosey. I also can't decide if the passive is making things sound a bit dull (or is it telling it like it really is?). ------------- There are 10 kinds of people. Those who understand binary and those who don't. |
Posted By: Bi-wire
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2014 at 4:25pm
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Hello Chris, Yes, the output from your Dyna 10x5 is, I believe, a fairly modest 2.5mV, which might make it hard work for the Era to drive your power amp to the levels you want. As a (sort of) comparison, I use a Dyna DV20X2L MC (output 0.3mV) through a 20x step-up transformer into a Revelation M and on through a passive pre- to drive a pair of valve monoblocks. This combination provides more gain than I know what to do with - no chance of turning the volume up to 11 here! With reference to your last sentence, I am an advocate of passive pres because I think they do tell it as it is. Perhaps you could consider a cartridge with a higher output? I must stress that, despite reference to output figures above, I actually know nothing about wiggly amps - or perhaps that shows  Cheers ------------- Peter Satisfied user of: Revelation M, PSU1-Enigma, Solo SRGII and lots of CuSat50 |
Posted By: Dave Friday
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2014 at 4:50pm
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Hi Chris,that makes sense!so you have the "Era" then a volume control then "naim 180 boards"? You could use a "Maplin" preamp kit until you've sorted your proper preamp out. |
Posted By: oldagetraveller
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2014 at 5:04pm
I've been waiting for further announcements on this too. Here's the last one "The Aria Line Stage line preamplifier is in development and a release date late 2012 is expected."  I would love to have tried a GSP pre-amp along with a couple of Proprius to compare with my existing amplification. If the combination was as good as the other GSP stuff I own, I'm sure it would be, then I would have seriously considered a purchase and sold my Naim pre and power amps. It's unfortunately not going to happen now because my Naim amps are away being serviced/re-capped at the moment (13 years old and well overdue). So after the expense of that exercise there will be no changes happening. Graham seems to be concentrating more on the zeros and ones for the time being.  ------------- Peter P T- LPT/RB300/G1042, Pink Triangle Tarantella/Nima/Ortofon 2M Black, SL1210II, Naim CD5, NAC112, NAP150, Flatcap2, Proac SC1, GS SoloUL,GS Accession , Senn HD250 & HD540. |
Ernie wrote:Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2014 at 12:29am
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Never wanted to concentrate so much on zeros and ones except that somewhere on this forum (around a couple of years ago) there was much enthisiasm or should I say twisting of one's arm, for me doing a DAC to match the phono stages... to make digital sound more analogue. I try to do what my customers want - and that's why I set this owner's club up - so that people could talk to me and tell me what they wanted of me. I guess in business that's called marketing, but I see it as a service. Once I offered to do a DAC the requests poured in for features. Again, this told me what people wanted, and I have done my best to oblige. Around the same time I asked what preamp features people wanted. Between those two topics a simple preamp idea became a highly featured preamp idea and things like tone controls were hotly contested. Likewise, the DAC idea developed to become much more complicated than a simple coax-in stereo-out. In both cases my initial idea was to offer something quite basic that did the job well. In the case of the DAC it now has 8 inputs: 3 coax; 3 optical; 1 USB; and 1 Analogue, an output level control; single ended outputs and balanced outputs. Originally it could have fitted into a regular Reflex/Solo size case only requiring new punchings of the existing front and rear 'blanks'. However, to meet members wishes it has entailed the commisioning of a brand new case. The complexity of the PCB is such that it had to be split into 3 assemblies. Over the past two years it has taken around 12 months research, development and testing; cost a fortune in parts; and neccesitated the purchase of £10K of test gear. I'm either the most helpful engineer on the planet or I am a complete fool? Back to the line preamp, and that too found it had to meet every requirement or "I'm not buying it". It is a complete pain designing a remote control if you're not the likes of Marantz, Sony, Arcam, Naim etc, who have tons of human resources - I am a lone designer. It's not just the remote control (which I have a working prototype of) but all the other facilities each who chipped in required. The initial idea was for 3 inputs, a single ended output and a balanced output, with a manual volume control... easy! Here again it could have been engineered into a Solo sized case, but.... So, I reckon in future I just make something, announce it, and hope I sell one or two. Then maybe I don't get pilloried for taking so long?  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: BAK
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2014 at 12:48am
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Graham, please be assured that those who know your quality of sound and workmanship are willing to wait for any new offerings you have.
This is why we have joined the forum.
Others, please have patience, Graham has burned too many midnight candles to date.
Here to help,
Bruce ------------- Bruce AT-14SA, Pickering XV-15, Hana EL, Technics SL-1600MK2, Lautus, Majestic DAC, Technics SH-8055 spectrum analyzer, Eminence Beta8A custom cabs; Proprius & Reflex M or C, Enjoy Life your way! |
Posted By: less
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2014 at 9:42am
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"I'm either the most helpful engineer on the planet or I am a complete fool?" Graham you most definitely are not the latter! But I think you know that really Interestingly there seem to be a number of small, quality focused manufacturers in Yorkshire. Perhaps you should all get together sometimes for mutual support, and a good moan!  And BAK, you are absolutely right. Your post seconded without hesitation  Regards Les ------------- I don't do mediocrity! Les Sutherland |
Posted By: BackinBlack
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2014 at 10:06am
Bear in mind that in this timescale a Mainstream manufacturer would have written and published all the Marketing Hype, sourced the cheapest acceptable components with the "right" name on them, adapted the chip suppliers demo board, added a few bespoke items, sourced a competetive assembly shop in China, disrtibuted to selected friendly reviewers and shipped out to distrubitors. Then the discounted offers follow and it's superceded by the next model. That's Hifi!! Meanwhile from Sunny Yorkshire we have a product that will last for years whilst providing the best of sound quality. I know where my money's going.. ------------- Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it. |
Posted By: Ernie
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2014 at 10:10am
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Graham, Designing by committee! Have you gone completely insane. I work in automated manufacturing, believe me people get what they are given otherwise the costs spiral dramatically. We can't get an agreement between the different manufacturing sites within the same company, right down to the background colour of the VDU screens. Drives you mad and costs a fortune. ------------- There are 10 kinds of people. Those who understand binary and those who don't. |
Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2014 at 10:20am
You should read through the Big DAC thread to get the full picture. ------------- Ifor ===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |
Posted By: ducakrugs
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 9:03am
I was using a pre naim 72 and a 140 power amp with my rega planar 3 with rb300 arm plus graham slee gram amp 2....I also have a quad cd67 which is probably the finest cd player I have ever used...I decided to change my amps as the soundstage was a little two dimensional and not exactly detailed.....I tried lots of transistor amplifiers...no joy then decided to try a relatively cheap valve integrated ...A affordable valve company KT88 high end...I was lent this amp a few years ago and did not give it back...I ended up paying £800 for it... as it makes my linn kelidah speakers sing....The volume levels are not as hign as the naim amps ' but the separation detail soundstage and musicality are out of this world...Especially through the graham slee phono stage wich is the icing on the cake ..The compatibility of this set up is very good..With an easy going but thrilling sound especially when playing the likes of Joe cocker on album...I would recommend giving a valve amp a try out very un fatiguing and a breath of fresh air..... 
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Posted By: Ernie
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 7:42pm
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Hi Ducakrugs, I must admit I've been thinking of valves too. I've used those Naim amps in the passed sorry I sold them (house move wasn't using them etc etc). Things that hold me back from valves are siting the amp as it'll need plenty of free space and the power draw if you leave it switched on. Also do you go for Class A or AB. I take it that your KT88 is AB, can it drive "normal" speakers or does it require carefully matching? ------------- There are 10 kinds of people. Those who understand binary and those who don't. |
Posted By: ducakrugs
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 8:54pm
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The amp is Class A triode connected....The Kt88 's work well in class a mode....The speakers that I have the linn kelidahs are about 92db sensitivity but 4ohm so they should be a little difficult to run but they open up and have a sweet spot so they are ok....The best speakers for valves are usually high sensitivity 96db at 8ohm....But Triode connected valve amps with decent current delivery can run 4ohm speakers without too much trouble....With a single ended valve amp with less power there will be a thinner sound and speaker resistance will matter ie 4ohm speakers will start to bottom out and put undue loading on the amp.....This can cause the amp to overheat and could possibly do damage to it Unless you have sensitive speakers I would stay away from the lower powered single ended designs and go for a class A triode... If you do go down the single ended lower power (8watts or so) valve amp with sensitive speakers you should get better purity of sound but bass weight will be compromised...These are good classical music and not really suited to rock Just try before you buy....  |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 9:11pm
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Maybe I'm alone on this but I would have preferred a "Bitzie-beater" DAC such as the Majestic to be much simpler and basic than what it turned out. A PSU1-powered DAC, about double or triple the physical size of the Bitzie would have been fine, with one of each connectivity option for the inputs. But the customers seemed to want loads of features... As for "What amps are you using?", the Proprius is all I need. |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 9:48pm
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Proprius: sound like valves - no wear out - available on loaner scheme. Don't let the thoughts of others make you deny yourself!!! ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |