THE MORE THE BETA!
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
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Forum Name: Graham Slee Blog [sponsored by Cadman Enterprises Ltd]
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URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=323
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 2:12am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: THE MORE THE BETA!
Posted By: Graham Slee
Subject: THE MORE THE BETA!
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2008 at 10:02pm
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After 4 months doing the rounds of GSPaudio-community volunteers, the UK Beta-test Novo headphone amplifier arrived safely back at base. I would like to thank all beta-testers for giving their time and publishing their findings. The Question is, if we made every new or improved product available for beta-test, would there be sufficient people interested in testing them? The beta-reviews of the Novo have been found to be more useful by would-be customers than magazine reviews, particularly because of the much wider collection of peripheral equipment used with it when viewed collectively. Also, the private individual's opinion could be taken as being more of a honest one than a magazine who's survival depends on advertising budgets. I would like to be able to compile a data-base of beta-testers, listing their particular interests - for example: some may not have vinyl and therefore would not be up for phono preamp tests. Please PM me with your thoughts and/or answer here. ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Replies:
Posted By: ServerBaboon
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2008 at 10:18pm
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I would be willing to try some beta testing although I would only really be able to compare with your stuff for Phono and headphone amps but if this still useful then I'm ok. I mostly listen to Vinyl and have a Gyrodec SE currently with an Ortofon 2m Black plumbed into a green reflex. John Shearne Phase 2/3 amps into Audio Physic Yara's Headphone listening is a pair of ATH-900 closed back headphones into a green solo. |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2008 at 11:48pm
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Thank you - you're on the list!
------------- 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: Darren/Audio Elevati
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2008 at 9:30am
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G
Put us down for this.
Darren ------------- http://www.audioelevation.co.uk - Audio Elevation - taking your hi-fi to another level. |
Posted By: mrarroyo
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2008 at 11:47pm
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Graham, beta testing is both rewarding and hard work. The testers need IMO to list what the gear they have and use for the comparison. The type of music used as well as similar equipment needs to be listed so that others can use it as a frame of reference.
What I am trying to say is that The XYZ Thing is great is not very helpful. Instead the XYZ Thing was compared while listening to Rush via the Novo and then I compared it w/ a Solo and amps by ABC, DEF, and CEG helps IMO to put the review in context. Adding the type of headphones as well as the source provides insights. Lastly the age bracket is important, a 20 year old may find an amp to be shrill while an older guy of 60 will not hear as high.
Will PM you on being on the list or not and for what. Thanks.
Miguel ------------- Miguel |
Posted By: Darren/Audio Elevati
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2008 at 7:53am
Is the CEG that new valve amp? ------------- http://www.audioelevation.co.uk - Audio Elevation - taking your hi-fi to another level. |
Posted By: mrarroyo
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2008 at 1:33am
No, its the electrostatic.  ------------- Miguel |
Posted By: mrarroyo
Date Posted: 01 Jan 2009 at 2:55pm
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Graham, yesterday I received the 2nd Beta Novo. I was getting worried since the last person was not responding to my communications (over 4 over a week's time). Doing this loaner/review programs are a pain in the behind, for example the last two reviewers claim that they got sick and could not post comments. It is disappointing because I extended their review period by two weeks in one case and by a week for the second person.
Oh well, I am listening to it and loving it. Thanks. ------------- Miguel |
Posted By: Jitter
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2009 at 1:13am
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I realise that I am a Newbie, but would be more than happy to test anything and report back.
Currently have Gram 2 phono and Solo SRG
Main system Project expression 1 turntable, cyrus kit (CD 8se, Dac x, Pre xvs, aPA 7.5 mono blocks - the Pre and Dac have PSX-r power supplies) Cables are: interconnect Nordost mixture Red Dawn, Blue Heaven and Solar Wind, Speaker Cables - Kimber 8TC. Speakers - Wilson Benesch Square 1.
I have three other systems - one is Cyrus Quattro with monoblock smartpowers into Dynaudio Audiance 52 speakers Interconnect - Missing Link with QED Silver Anniv. XT speaker cable
Next is (various CD players) into Cyrus one and Ruark Epilogue II speakers Interconnects (currently Chord silver sirens) keep changing as do speaker cables
AV is ancient DVD player, Denon 1905 AV amp and quad 6.1 speakers TV is an excellent Toshiba tube TV (remember them - as far as I am concerned LCD has only just bettered it)
I also have iPOD nano (latest version) with Sennheiser PX100 earphones
I am also trying to build a vinyl/ valve (tube) based system for the study - but haven't got everything yet. Probably Rogers Cadet, not sure of speakers and using elderly turntable.
The reason for listing all of this is to illustrate that I have a variety of systems that I can test things with and also that I am a born again hifi geek  ------------- ...... and that's my opinion, take or leave it |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 22 Feb 2009 at 1:24am
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Hi Jitter, Please remind me when we do our next beta test. 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: jonclancy
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2009 at 8:43pm
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Hi Graham, I'd love to be included in the next Beta rounds, please. At the moment, the system is a CD/Tuner front end. I have my phono stage completed for MM, but not cased up. No TT running as yet, either, so It'll be headphone amps and pre-amps (when it comes) for me....  Speakers are IPL TLs and move a reasonable amount of air! Many thanks! Jon |
Posted By: Andy9672
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2009 at 12:04pm
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Hi Graham, Deffinately up for some testing! I have a Technics SL1200, Rega Apollo, Audio Analogue Pre-Power combo running Dali Ikon 1 speakers. I also have a Solo with PSU1. Oh and it runs on it's own spur from the CU. I plug everything into a power conditioner/6way adaptor, apart from teh Solo that gets its own socket on the spur. Thanks Andy ------------- Solo psu1 Rega Apollo AT W1000 Technics SL1200 |
Posted By: mandarintje
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2014 at 11:59am
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I would be more than delighted to help out Beta testing. I lost faith in W**t HiFi magazine, when I tried out some of their 5 star products... particularly the B&W A5,A7 and Zeppelin old and new. I thought they sounded absolutely awful. Perhaps good in the context of their genre. *not sure if I'm allowed to mention the name =)
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Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2014 at 2:47pm
The name probably isn't worth mentioning... I'm not even an engineer and I'm already sick of seeing wannabes masquerading as professionals...  Most of them haven't got a clue. They're not scientists; they're business people with a hidden agenda and I'll tell you now that the agenda doesn't include your musical satisfaction... I wish they'd stop their ridiculous facade and just go home.  ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: CageyH
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2014 at 4:06pm
| Just to add, I would also be happy to Beta test any up & coming pre-production releases, especially if they are vinyl related. |
Posted By: WhoStoleTheSand
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2014 at 10:14am
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Would be very interested as the improvements so far are amazing to my system, though a little far to post ;) I can heat test though... ha ha Tim
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