Graham Slee Headphone Amps - Solo Green and the PSU1

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Solo Green and the PSU1

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=32
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 2:11am
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Topic: Solo Green and the PSU1

Posted By: dwfait
Subject: Solo Green and the PSU1
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2008 at 12:56pm

I've heard in a few places that some people have found the Solo Green with the standard wall wart to be on par with (and in some cases succeed) the 2007 model with the PSU1, however, I have not heard much on the subject of the Green Solo with the PSU1.

My question is, would the PSU1 increase the sound quality of the Green by a large enough extent to justify the extra cost?

Replies:

Posted By: tg [RIP]
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2008 at 1:15pm

This person is claiming that it does - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110218934249&ssPageName=STRK
If you bought it you could let us know :P
Others have stated not.

Posted By: dwfait
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2008 at 1:38pm

Well what I'm currently thinking is that that money would be better invested in going towards the source, unless of course there is a significant enough improvement.

And of course, being an 18 year old university student, I'm not in a financial position to take the "buy-it-and-see" approach unfortunately :\

Posted By: tg [RIP]
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2008 at 2:16pm

The design brief, as I understand it, was to equal or exceed the performance of the existing 2007 Solo Monitor Class (uses PSU-24 linear PS) using only a simple SMPS.
Most evaluations by those with more experience than me have concluded that the brief has been met.
Given your circumstances, I would seriously suggest that you consider the Voyager portable amp, I have personally given this unit a lengthy evaluation using full size headphones (AKG701 and ATH-W1000) and whilst it may not equal the Solo, it is very, very good and has the advantages of portability, extended battery life, reduced gain for use with IEMs, a contour circuit to compensate for cheaper "street" phones and an input socket suited to an ipod or similar source. It is also cheaper than the Solo.

Posted By: dwfait
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2008 at 2:28pm

I ordered a Solo Green three weeks ago, just got an e-mail today saying that it has been shipped along with a link to these forums.

I am in a position to buy a PSU1, but obviously have limited funds and wish to obtain the best sound quality for the money that I have available to me; this thread was intended to find out whether the PSU1 would be worth the £163, or whether it would in fact be better spent in putting toward the source, headphones or interconnects.

Posted By: ServerBaboon
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2008 at 11:13pm

Although I haven't heard the PSU1 with the green solo just the stock wall wart going off the Rockgrotto threads it shouldn't sound that much better. I only ever had poor head phone amps (built in) and took the comments from Graham and the Rockgrotto dwellers that the Green Solo would be pretty much all I would need so I took the PSU1 money and bought some ATH A900 Headphones and quite frankly it's the dogs doo dahs.

Posted By: fault151
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2008 at 4:50pm

this is exactly what i was going to ask.

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http://www.cherishedtrinkets.co.uk

http://www.lincolnshirebikenights.com

Posted By: fault151
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2008 at 4:54pm

tg wrote:

The design brief, as I understand it, was to equal or exceed the performance of the existing 2007 Solo Monitor Class (uses PSU-24 linear PS) using only a simple SMPS.
Most evaluations by those with more experience than me have concluded that the brief has been met.
Given your circumstances, I would seriously suggest that you consider the Voyager portable amp, I have personally given this unit a lengthy evaluation using full size headphones (AKG701 and ATH-W1000) and whilst it may not equal the Solo, it is very, very good and has the advantages of portability, extended battery life, reduced gain for use with IEMs, a contour circuit to compensate for cheaper "street" phones and an input socket suited to an ipod or similar source. It is also cheaper than the Solo.

I guess in your situation, unless you have some nice headphones already id go with putting it towards the headphones or source. Im tempted to get one, but again, its if it can justify a noticeable difference. More importantly its if 'my ears' can hear a difference. Because our hearing differs from person to person, im not sure if my hearing will be as good as others??? If i get one i'll let you know.

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http://www.cherishedtrinkets.co.uk

http://www.lincolnshirebikenights.com