I tested 3 Phono Preamps: GramAmp 2 (which I own), GramAmp 2 SE and Reflex M (which I borrowed from GSP, together with the PSU1).
GRAMAMP 2: Up till now this was my favorite phono preamp. It is able to show the details an Ortofon OM2Blue fetches from the groove, i.e. you can almost hear every single jingle of a tambourine or distinguish the single voices from a chorus. Other preamps I had could deal with maximum the detail level of an OM2Red.
What I've been missing, though, is some weight (possibly caused by lack of some deep frequencies). It plays e.g. the bass guitar or bass drum properly and precise, but there’s less strength in it. Anyway, I still like my GramAmp2, since it gives big bands or ballad singers a light, transparent and open character, e.g. "Play Me" and other songs of Neil Diamond I still love played with the GramAmp2.
GRAMAMP 2 SE: This one delivers a detailed, open sound like the GramAmp2, but additionally this one adds more weight to the sound, i.e. more bass is present (not too much, but with that one I can feel it a bit). For me, it brings more life and dynamics into music. So, for me, together with the PSU1 the GramAmp2 SE is the right choice.
REFLEX M: It's a very special device. First I realized it’s powerful, well-defined and very colorful bass. So, in Queen's "Dragon Attack" the bass solo was just "wow!". Never heard such an intensive, colorful bass. The same with the standup bass in Robert Palmer's "Don't Explain". Additionally, it shows even more details in higher frequencies then the two GramAmps.
Though, for me there is a downside. The sound seems less open than with the two GramAmps. I heard Bach's "Toccata", where the deep reeds of the organ filled the room (very deep, clear and well-controlled, really amazing), but unfortunately the rest of that organ play sounded rather depressing than open to me, so I couldn’t fully enjoy it. And, sorry to say, though it's an amazing pre-amp, this behaviour I felt with most of the music styles I heard with the "M".
PSU1: With it I had a surprisingly experience. I never thought that a power supply could change the sound of a pre-amp, since it doesn’t need too much power compared with a power amplifier. But every of the three tested pre-amps did take advantage of the PSU1. The result was a well-defined bass. With the small standard power supply the deep frequenciees often got out of control. More deep bass was heard than there actually have been supplied by the pickup. It got obvious to me as I changed from the small supply to the PSU1. After that change, the bass frequencies sounded more defined and colorful. This effect I heard most considerable on the Reflex "M", still considerable with the GramAmp2 SE and only an ounce with the GramAmp2.
My Equipment: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon, Ortofon OM2Blue, Denon PMA-655R.
Many thanks to Graham Slee and his team. I appreciate to had the opportunity to test these valuable devices in my home with my equipment. It was a great pleasure!
Best Regards
Reinhard
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