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Reflex (a sort of a review)

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Topic: Reflex (a sort of a review)
Posted By: IvanM
Subject: Reflex (a sort of a review)
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2008 at 9:29pm

I just thought I’d post a note to say how much I am enjoying the sound from my Reflex phono stage.  It’s been cooking for the best part of two weeks and is now sounding excellent.  I am not sure about the pro’s and cons’ of MM vs MC or even if the comparisons are all that valid considering the typical difference in cost.  What I can say for sure though is that your unit is producing a quality and presentation of sound that I have not heard previously from a modestly priced MM cartridge.  And that certainly throws into question the need for spending the extra 100’s of ££££’s on a MC cartridge and the additional gain stage, unless one has a very flexible budget.

 

For what it’s worth here are some (hopefully objective) observations.  

 

The process of burning is proving to be an interesting journey and one with occasional backward steps.  After initially sounding very clear but slightly distant and small the sound developed more scale and weight but then became quite veiled (around day four or five).  Then I came home from work a day or two later, to find that while I had been out, around 6-8 new backing singers had pitched up to assist Paul Simon with his Graceland project.  So noticeable was the change that it actually made me laugh.  I can see how those who do not give these things time to hit their stride could miss the point. 

 

Initially the unit seemed to favour some sounds such as female vocal, percussion and saxophone but the sound is now very even and natural.  I am impressed by the level of intelligibility, I have actually been able to easily make out a couple of bits of lyrics that had previously eluded me.  This is interesting as this is not the most detailed sound I have ever had from my record player, some years ago I used an Ortofon MC30 Supreme, which produced texture and a shimmer around strings etc. that I have never bettered even with more expensive MC’s.  But this observation raises the question of what is improved intelligibility if not the ability to let one hear more detail?.  That’s not to say there is a lack of detail but you have to listen for it rather than anything leaping out at you.

 

When I started listening more seriously (around a week in) I thought the frequency balance favoured the upper treble though this, like some of my other observations may be a function of the new cartridge (a Goldring 1024) which is also still running-in.  This has now either evened out or my ears have grown accustomed to the change.  It’s also fair to say that my last cartridge was a little soft on the top end.

 

I am pleased to report that everything exists in its own place and when present in a recording, spatial/acoustic information is clearly presented, though again naturally rather than in a spectacular fashion.  For me this is a very important as I find it makes following individual strands of the music easy to do.  This and other elements of the presentation such as the voice sized voice, remain stable pretty much regardless of changes of level and complexity.  The cartridge must take some credit for this I guess but keeping everything separate when everything kicks off is a good trick.

 

I have not encountered any noise problems, there’s woosh if I turn things up very loud but that’s all and it certainly never impinges on the sound once the stylus is on the record.

 

One thing I do find every time I start a listening session is that If I go back to the very first track after playing a side of a record, the first track sounds better, not in a big way but definitely better.   I think that the following is what changes: 1. voices come into better focus (for want of a better expression) 2: tonally things become more representative of the actual instrument  e.g. piano becomes more rounded, more plinky (no such word but it describes what I mean) and possibly decay more naturally, electric guitars seem to buzz more.  I think there may also be an effect on the timing/rhythm but this is subtle and may just be down to the fact that I have quite recently played the track and my brain is attuned to it.  That said and at the risk of sounding like someone from a hifi mag: if I had to decide one way or the other, I’d say that on the second playing, I am definitely more inclined to tap my foot.

 

Whilst still looking forward to further improvements, I am pleased to report that I’m delighted with my new piece of kit and the new lease of life it has given to my vinyl collection.  This week I bought my first new vinyl records in about 10 years, I was amazed how much new stuff is now coming out on vinyl and how much old stuff is being re-released.  I may be sticking my neck out here but I think I can confidently predict that vinyl records will bring the downfall of CD’s, i-pods, Napster and the lot!  J.

 



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I'd like to agree with you but then we'd both be wrong.



Replies:
Posted By: Darren/Audio Elevati
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2008 at 9:50pm
What a review (well sort of review).  Superb stuff - write some more!

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http://www.audioelevation.co.uk - Audio Elevation - taking your hi-fi to another level.


Posted By: John C
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2008 at 11:24pm
Thanks for that Ivan.
Graham will really appreciate the questioning of spending 100's of ££££'s on a MC cartridge. I think he's still waiting for a challenger on the other thread LOL.


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http://www.gspaudio.co.uk - Turntable and Headphone Audio


Posted By: Sol
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2008 at 5:32pm
Bloody Hell Ivan did you crib my notes?
 
I bought my Reflex at a similar time to yours I guess. Anyhow ... the journey through burn in has been almost identical:
  • the second playing thing sits true here
  • the period of favouring uppper treble
  • the subtle shift since then that has you deciding whether the kit has changed or yourself
  • and then the detail thing .. there's ultimately more detail from my digital set up, yet I find I can hear subtle quiet dialogue in the background just as well! The digital set up has also started to sound a litte grained in some detail (like reverberation trails) in comparison 
  • The naturalness

What you didn't mention ws the front to back seperation .. initially everthing was 2 dimensional, but slowly the 3D stuff is coming through (I did have an alarming moment with Lush by Orbital when there's an annoying whir that circles over my head some 9 ft from the speakers. I was convinced it was something playing elsewhere momentarily until it shifted from right ear to left! I've never had anything project into the room as much as that!) 

Anyhow .. another week I reckon and she'll be 99% there. 


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Semper in excretum, nil profundum variat.
Non illigitimum carburundum!
Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum


Posted By: IvanM
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2008 at 11:52pm
Hi Sol
 
Glad its not just me then! Smile
 

I fully agree with your observations regarding the 3d effect.   I didn’t mention it in my post as it was still quite vague, I wrote the post a day or so before putting it on the board as I was waiting to see if there were any other noticeable changes.  Of course there were but not until the night after I’d posted (well maybe two nights).  

 

It was on playing Lou Reeds’ New York that I was startled to find that Lou had decided that his nonchalant narrative would have greater impact, if he were to take a full pace forward, which is exactly what he had done!  Lou had also arranged for the drums to be moved backwards and put up on a riser.  This caused another one of those odd moments to which the only response I seem to have is to laugh. In reality I am sure the changes are as you say gradual, I guess its’ the daylong gaps between listens and the threshold effect, that leads to those surprising moments. 

 

There have been other changes since my post but I am not going to say anything more until I am sure the metamorphosis is complete.  As you suggest another week would seem sensible.

 



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I'd like to agree with you but then we'd both be wrong.


Posted By: John C
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2008 at 11:58pm
I'm glad you're liking chaps Big%20smile. It's great to get such direct feedback like this.

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http://www.gspaudio.co.uk - Turntable and Headphone Audio


Posted By: IvanM
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2008 at 6:25pm

 A sort of an update to a sort of a review

Well I think that my Reflex has pretty much become itself now and after a few nights faffing, I am pretty sure I have the tracking weight and bias about as good as I can get them (which won’t of course be as good they can get).  That last bit of magic that getting these right gives up, can only be found by careful listening and the clarity that the Reflex provides makes this a fairly easy task.  Being able to hear when you’ve gone past it, shows just what a knife edge, the sweet spot of the bias is on (and it’s a fair way away from where the numbers say it should be, which is why I do it by ear).

Last night I relished the delights of the recently acquired Wincing the Night Away by The Shins, I was surprised again and delighted, by a sprinkling of banjo that hadn’t troubled my ears at all when listening to it on CD.  After that came the also fairly fresh In Rainbows, by Radiohead.  Listening to this I was aware of the understanding that exists between the players in that band, able as I was to easily interpret the delicate interplay between different strands of the music as it rolled out from the deep, wide and dark space in front of me.  Both albums have made me conscious of remarkably clear and expressive vocal presence; the different size and weight of various instruments and how beautifully drums and bass can work together (drummers are cleverer than they get credit for – assuming that drumming slightly behind the beat is done deliberatelyJ).

All these details I describe are very easy to detect because this is the most eloquent, insightful and informative vinyl set-up that I have had.  If I had to choose one word that sums up the effect of the Reflex, that word would have to be: intelligibility.  I have never found understanding what I am listening to easier than now.  This isn’t just about clarity and space though, timing and rhythmic information is also presented in a way which my brain finds very easy to understand.

That’s not to say everything is perfect, later on I played Ian Dury’s New boots and Panties and as I am on many familiar tracks, I was aware that the Goldring 1024 glosses over some texture on sustained strings and sax that my last (MC) cartridge would not have missed.  I should make it clear that no sounds are missing.  In-fact as I write this, I am playing an old Cranberries album and discovering several bits of vocal and odd Irish instruments, that I hadn’t previously noticed: it is just the texture of sound that comes up short.  For instance, the front end of percussion leaps forth with startling clarity but a brushed cymbal just doesn’t quite sizzle and shimmer as much as I know it should. 

On balance I am way ahead on points, the Goldring didn’t cost an 8th of what a replacement for my MC would have and last night I was made more aware than ever, just how cunning Ian Dury’s words are and how well the Blockheads (who are way cleverer than I appreciated back in the day) weave their funky web behind and through them (or Dury’s weaves his words through the Blockheads funky web, or something else; anyway its quite brilliant and great fun to listen to).

Reading this back, I realise this is turning into a record review but I don’t suppose that’s entirely a bad Thing.   Aside from helping me get rid of a small but annoying lump in my wallet, I did buy the reflex to enhance my recently rediscovered love of listening to records: it seems to be working.

So as anyone who has bothered to read this far (and god only knows why you have) will have guessed; I am delighted with my reflex.  It is in my view excellent value for money as it is remarkably effective at doing what it it’s supposed to do.  The only issue now is that I keep catching myself wondering just how good things would get if I went for a top flight MC and the Elevator?  This rather defeats the object of my original plan, that being reviving my record deck without spending too much!  Just can’t help wondering………

And finally!  Considering I never tire of listening to my records at the moment, I am tempted to ask: if music be the food of love is the Reflex the Viagra?



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I'd like to agree with you but then we'd both be wrong.


Posted By: Sol
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2008 at 2:50pm
Originally posted by IvanM IvanM wrote:

 A sort of an update to a sort of a review
 
well written .. thanks for sharing that!
 
Quote
And finally!  Considering I never tire of listening to my records at the moment, I am tempted to ask: if music be the food of love is the Reflex the Viagra?
 
 
LOl ... now in marketing speak you really should have sold that to Graham! If he sues it ... please ask for credit ;o)
 
I'm holding off doing a final review ... unlike you I've had no time to play with the TT set up. Using the Solo and HD650 combo I'm hearing closure synergy between my digital set up over spekaers adn headphones than I am between my viynl rig. That's not to say it's bad .. afr from it ... but there's tweaks to be done with the turntable. 
 
It doesn't help that I've moved the entire rig through 90 degrees in the room, that I also bought a turntable, the reflex, and the positioning in the room has lead to a change in sound anyhow! My reference has gone! That said, the Reflex and Arezzo TT, RB300 with a Goldring Eroica MC Hight Output are sounding rather sweet. Definately more presence, and emotion coming through than the digital rig.


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Semper in excretum, nil profundum variat.
Non illigitimum carburundum!
Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum


Posted By: tg [RIP]
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2008 at 7:01am
I have also noted the improvement on the second side played, I put this down to the cartridge suspension warming up.
The effect is much more noticeable on my DL 103 than my DL 301, presumably because of the much stiffer suspension on the 103.
WRT spending $$$, either of those low output cartridges plus the step-up transformer I use with them cost me less than a Goldring 1042 MM would have.
Maybe they would not do it for you, but they sound like music to me.
I do like the way the Reflex allows cartridge "tuning by ear" - and I do not have to strain to hear when it is not right.  It's almost a "reflex action" LOL



Posted By: Cyreg
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2008 at 10:59am
Hi tg, you mean that it takes about 20 minutes after starting up a vinyl listening session, before you have the right sounding result?
That sounds familiar and  could be your Reflex. Why?
Well Graham himself told users and reviewers about the EraGoldV having that attribute and that one should keep that in mind. 
I myself never noticed it nor specifically listened for it.
It will be system-quality dependend and also a big difference if listening through loudspeakers or headphones? 
So probably we will hear from Graham if it could be the same with the Reflex?
If not the Reflex than you should probably be right with the suspension!! Han


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TecnoDec/RB250/MP110>GramAmp2C/PSU1; Cyrus CD8SE; Cyrus FM7 > Exposure XXXV > Harbeth C7ES-3 '35th Anniversary'
cabling: IC 3x DNM V3; LScable Exposure DMF-two; Furu TP60 + MWaY and AH! powercords   


Posted By: tg [RIP]
Date Posted: 21 Feb 2008 at 11:46am
Han,
I only rarely use headphones when playing records and then more if I am doing an LP rip - eg recording it to hard disc.
I much prefer using speakers, headphones are for late night head banging sessions, or equipment comparisons sometimes.  Tend much more to be PC based or CD when using headphones.
Graham has discussed cartridge warm-up at one time or another and Geoff Husband of tnt-audio has mentioned it on more than one occasion.
I first noticed it when using the DL103 which is a very stiff (low compliance) cartridge, when first set on a record it would sound somewhat thin and tinny, lacking in the full body and rich timbre and tonality, tizzy at the top and a little sluggish in attack.
I do not think it to be related to the Reflex except insofar as it truthfully relays the info fed it.  My Reflex is almost never turned off (maybe once in 6 months to re-arrange cables) - it may be that it also improves with signal passing, but that is more subtle and not so obvious.
The effect was sufficiently noticeable that I would commonly play a side with the preamp switched to another source before beginning a listening session.
The effect is not as marked with the present DL301 which is much more compliant.
Probably more noticeable on orchestral works where the full range is more common.
I note that some cartridge manufacturers recommend increased VTF at lower temperatures and decreased VTF at higher ambient temperatures - one assumes due to lowered elasticity of cantilever mountings at lowered temperatures.
In that respect, it is worth noting that my observation of this began in the cooler months, after my Reflex had arrived and burned in.  Changeover to the present cartridge was not made until end December when temperatures were much higher (and generally still are - it is now 10:30 pm and I am wearing no shirt and have a fan on to provide some cooling)
IIRC you are using a Rega Elys which would probably be even more compliant than the 301 and following my line of reasoning, would be less inclined to show the effect unless in fairly low ambient temperatures.
Perhaps listen to a fairly dynamic and full range piece of music first up and then play it again after listening to the second side and see if you notice a change.


Posted By: olli_1963
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2008 at 4:13pm
Hi,
I now own my Reflex for 6 month after trading in the Era Gold V.
Boys, wait, the Reflex even gets better.
When I listen to Pink Floyd The Wall, Side C, Tracks 1 and 2 there is no 3D-effect, there is something more, like surround-sound.
Sounds obscure, but at the end of track 2 (the one after "Hey You") it is like a wave approaching and then braking over you - I didn't have an experience like that before.
You have to try it.

Besides the long burn in time there is another drawback:
the mains-cable is a joke.
If you use a good shielded cable it will sound better.
And the cable from the PSU to the Reflex (Era Gold as well) is a joke too - ultra thin and not shielded too.
I would like to replace it as well but I'm not willing and to manipulate the PSU.
Good mains cable is so important and improves sound quality - the guys at gsp should know that.

Take the PSU as far apart from the Reflex as possible and do not place the Reflex near other amplification, motors or power supplies.
This all makes differences in sound quality.



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best regards,
Olaf

Garrard 401, Syrinx PU3, Grado Reference, gsp Reflex
Ayon Spark, Ayon Butterfly


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2008 at 5:58pm
Hi olli_1963,

Thanks for your impressions, I'm very grateful.

But regarding the DC lead, I think you may not understand how it works.

You got all this great sound using "a joke", yes?

Now if we shield it, how? The power supply is class II which is a non-earthed item for reason not every country has earths.

If we shield it then the minus or 0V side becomes the shield from the phono stage, this is the only effective way of preventing RFI. I guess we could just connect the shield at the plug end, but this has no effect on RFI above roughly 20MHz. But the shield on the minus/0V side would.

However, in tests this had zero effect of removing any RFI. What did remove the RFI was to fit clip on ferrites on the speaker cables as close to the power amp as possible. Now nobody would suggest that unshielded speaker cables are a joke would they?????

But the output of an amplifier is also an input - FOR RFI.

As for the wire size - we have tried larger and larger sections with no improvement.

I am very careful not to upset my customers because I was brought up to believe the customer is king, but you talk as if we don't know what we are doing? Do you think the Reflex was an accident? Or do you think the Era Gold V before it was one also?

We do actually know what we are doing you know?

If you think we should fit beefy this and beefy that because it fits a misinformed mental image of hi-fi, you are sadly mistaken. I design things to work and don't give a damn about false image or false worship. I thought you would have recognised this from the sound you are getting?

QUOTE: "Boys, wait, the Reflex even gets better.
When I listen to Pink Floyd The Wall, Side C, Tracks 1 and 2 there is no 3D-effect, there is something more, like surround-sound.
Sounds obscure, but at the end of track 2 (the one after "Hey You") it is like a wave approaching and then braking over you - I didn't have an experience like that before.
You have to try it." UNQUOTE

It does it because I designed it that way - a process that cost the best part of 2 years of my life working mostly night and day. If I thought I would gain myself a favour by making something different I would have. I am not one of these trendies who call themselves a "designer" - I work in engineering - sorry if I just burst peoples image of me - I am not a magician either - I just spent all my working life in electronics (I'm now 52) to be told I don't know what I'm doing????

But thanks for the compliment.


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That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: IvanM
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2008 at 12:30am
A slightly off topic update, to a sort of an update, to a sort of a review.
 
Last night I was struck by the thought that I was listening to my set-up using unfamiliar interconnect.  Previous to receiving my Reflex I had Nordost Red Dawn in the loop; whereas since I’d had it, I had used Van Den Hul The First Ultimate.  I can’t quite remember why I changed, it was a daft idea adding another variable but I hadn’t considered it to be a significant issue. 
 
 I may have been influenced by John C’s comments and I remember that that the 1mtr long Nordost was draped all over while VDH at only 0.5 mtr was physically tidier.  Also, I’d had the VDH for a couple years but never really used it but had read good things about it (I try not to be influenced but I guess I was).

I have never doubted the benefit of a decent interconnect but have always tried to keep in mind that their job is to preserve the signal not change it.

Anyway, I decided to stick Nordost back in.  To say that the Nordost and the VDH sound different is an exercise in understatement. 

In short, relative to the VDH, the Nordost has splashy treble, a much more forward and wider presentation and crucially (for me) a lot more texture than the VDH (you may remember I had blamed my cartridge for a perceived lack of texture).  The VDH, characterises a much smoother and more natural treble, a darker background and a general sense of precision and evenness at all frequencies.   Paradoxically, while the Nordost has a bigger sound there is actually less perception of space between instruments than with the VDH.  The Nordost also sounds busier (or fuzzier – hard to describe) and oddly louder.  Those are the most apparent differences but there are many more.

On balance I would say that the VDH is sonically the best (most natural, accurate) but I think I prefer the Nordost, being prepared to put up with the more tiresome (somewhat CD like) treble to get at the extra bit of instrumental texture and drama (at least until I find a better compromise).  This is probably more to do with the fact that I have grown used to listening to the effect of the Nordost and what is most right is probably coming second to what I am most familiar with.

I am now happier than ever with the sound from my records through the reflex.  Or to put it more emotionally, it has now snuggled me even closer to my personal audio happy place.

Two points here perhaps.  1.  Only change one thing at a time (I ought to know better, I know, I know).  2.  It is important to make decisions on how things actually sound: not how they should sound.  Even my limited grasp of electronics can see the potential RFI downside of an unscreened cable, in fact some of the less pleasing characteristics of the Nordost sound may well be down to this.  However, on balance, it still works for me.

Next job is to make up a pair of CT100 leads as recommended on this site.  From personal experience I know CT100 to be a good solution, especially on long runs.  Then a bit of totally subjective comparison testing (I can only say what sounds different/better to me, through my ears, on my kit).  I have some QED and Audioquest leads knocking about too so if I get around to it and if there’s anything interesting to report, I’ll pop it into the cables section of the forum.



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I'd like to agree with you but then we'd both be wrong.


Posted By: tg [RIP]
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2008 at 1:20pm
Ivan, if you are talking of the I/C from tonearm/turntable -> Reflex, perhaps you might also consider the Extreme Phono Crimson leads (these I believe are actually Jelco cables) fully shielded and given a good wrap by Geoff Husband of tnt-audio who is by no means a cable junkie.
The leads on my arm are one-piece from cartridge tags to RCA so I do not get to fiddle with these :D



Posted By: IvanM
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2008 at 5:05pm
Hello tg
 
I am talking about the leads from the Reflex to the amp.  From the arm to the reflex is some VDH stuff I put on about 6 years ago, which was better than the original Linn stuff but harder to dress.  In fact dressing the cable so it doesn't di#% around with the suspension is a good insentive not to change it.  I resorted to removing all three springs and throwing them down the room, before refitting them, when I set it the deck back up a few weeks back (probably needs new springs to be honest).  I haven't come across the Extreme stuff before but checking their website looks it all looks pretty interesting. 
 
Your post reminded me that I had wired my cartridge with 4 ropey old leads that came from god knows where as the one I took off had captives, so I need to get those sorted out too - cheers for that.


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I'd like to agree with you but then we'd both be wrong.


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2008 at 10:32pm
Ivan, where there are strong radio frequencies the Nordost would have injected RFI back into the Reflex as well as into your amp, and at some point in the combined circuits, the program being carried by the RF would have been "detected" and you'd have heard a radio broadcast as well as the music. Worse still, if a TV channel were to be detected, there would have been lots of hum or buzz from the framing signal which being amplitude modulated (AM) is far more easily detected.

The splashy treble is testament to RF pick-up which is putting weak radio frequencies both ways - into the Reflex output to its input via its negative feedback network and into the amp the usual way (into its input). The splashy treble is due to oscillations being set up in either or both circuits, which means they are not operating as their respective designers intended (one of them being me).

This is not a telling off!

I am only mentioning this for the benefit of other readers to balance the "argument". I am finding all this very useful and I thank you on behalf of others visiting here who wish to learn all these useful things. I encourage you and everybody else to continue and keep writing this stuff.Thumbs%20Up

When you make the CT100 cable remember to "relax" or get the insulation to unstick itself from the conductor by some means of manipulation as it does (and is scientifically proven) improve the cable's high frequency or I should say harmonic performance. Also, please orientate it so the signal direction (source to amp) is in the direction of the print on the cable (or as we have adopted the saying "run of the mill" in this instance).

Then please report back with your findings between it and the Nordost.


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That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: olli_1963
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2008 at 11:06pm
Hi Graham,
my experience is that the mains cable I use (a shielded one for only 60,-- EUR) is really better than the delivered one.
It doesn't make the Reflex a new equipment but it is noticeable slightly better.
Others who did the same (I posted the tip in a german forum) made the same experience.
But I don't blame you for it.
Because of this experience I guessed that the cable from the PSU to the Reflex may influence the sound quality as well.
Sorry that you might have got the impression I would doubt your know-how.
You have designed a beautiful preamp.
For me it is the best MM Preamp I have ever heard.Thumbs%20Up

What is the green Reflex? Is there a sound difference to the normal Reflex?



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best regards,
Olaf

Garrard 401, Syrinx PU3, Grado Reference, gsp Reflex
Ayon Spark, Ayon Butterfly


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 29 Feb 2008 at 7:52am
Hi Olaf,

I had to jump to defend the design because some would-be customers get very twitchy indeed about the slightest issue, and in forum land, before you know it, a witch hunt attitude can easily set in.

It is only recently that some reviewers have refrained from writing negative things about us. One editor entirely rewrote a contributor's glowing review on the Era Gold V in such a way as to make it an advert for the Trichord Dino! What was worse is that he'd never heard the Era Gold V! I will not name names - he knows who he is, and I don't forget, but I have the capacity to forgive.

I would say your comment about the Reflex "For me it is the best MM Preamp I have ever heard" is shared by most every owner and I am grateful you said it.

Many find it hard to grasp that it can be done at the Reflexes price - most believe that this performance level is only achieved in products costing 10 times the price.

We do it at this price because I'm a "no-nonsense" type. I am not easily led by the mythology that surrounds hi-fi, in fact, as you have noticed, I actively try to break these myths that are there to force people to spend inordinate amounts of money only to be left disappointed in many cases. I would even go as far as saying such practices are grand-theft.

We try to apply the science in a very practical way and in doing so we make "dream audio" (that is audio for listening, not for looks) affordable to more people.

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That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 29 Feb 2008 at 8:46am
Originally posted by olli_1963 olli_1963 wrote:


What is the green Reflex? Is there a sound difference to the normal Reflex?


The "green" Reflex like the "green" Solo has been a pilot scheme used to evaluate the circuit modifications required to accommodate a switched mode power supply in place of the usual PSU1.

Now who would want to do a thing like that?

I would only previously have used such a power supply as a last resort, but that last resort is being forced upon us by politicians world-wide.

The best place for a phonostage power supply is outside the phonostage - as far away as is practicable - to prevent its magnetic fields and charging currents influencing the music.

That power supply then quite neatly falls into their trap because it is an external power supply, or as they call it, EPS.

EPS and BC (their shorthand for battery chargers) are responsible world-wide for consuming the output of 20 power stations and power stations "are destroying the planet by putting too much carbon dioxide into the upper atmosphere". Just how a gas that is heavier than air can ascend to such incredible heights is beyond me, and it looks like it is beyond them because they have not offered an explanation as to why anywhere I have looked. I can see that the jet engine is capable of doing so, but so far they evade that point. The witch hunt has gathered against the external power supply and that's that!

The final EU study has been done and we just have to wait and see if it is made European law.

I obviously have to act now just in case. Therefore I have developed the Reflex and Solo designs to return an equal performance to that obtained using the PSU1, but using a tiny switch mode external power supply. But instead of just claiming "it works just the same" we ran a pilot scheme where we offered the products at an advantageous price so that a broad cross-section of users could have their say.

It seems I may have got the recipe right from what is being said by the participants on this community and in other forums.

What I now have to do is merge the existing and the "green" designs in such a way that the customer has the option of buying the same product in "green" or standard issue (by offering it with the SM-PS or the PSU1), and then one day, if the law is brought in, the only option will be the "green". However, this will have been done without changing the performance.

But just in case the "green" version, in the opinion of the user, does not quite reach the heady heights of performance the PSU1 powered product does, it will be offered at a lower price than the PSU1 powered version commensurate with the price difference we pay.

I believe that world-wide legislation will eventually be brought in to effectively ban all linear external PSU's as it is in California State USA, and as such I am designing all our new products to perform to our high standards using SM-PS as well as the PSU1.


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That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: Marsh
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2010 at 12:11pm
Hi all out there,
 
Very interesting reading concerning the Reflex M - here's my initial thoughts.
 
I've had my Reflex M a few weeks now and am, unsurprisingly, delighted with it. It is teamed with an Orbe, OL Encounter and MM III. It replaced a quite nice, but over-warm sounding, vavle phono stage from Leicester which conked out (it cost more than the Reflex and is, IMHO, inferior by a fair margin in terms of build and sound).
 
I won't go into loads of detail - no doubt that's been done many times before in the Forum - all I will say is that the Reflex just seems to get it 'right' with vinyl reply - it's all there, with the bonus that it keeps record surface noise to a minimum and is very quiet in terms of hum etc.
 
A couple of additional points:
 
It is connected to my pre-amp by a recently acquired Cusat50 interconnect that sounded truly horrible straight out of the packaging but thankfully didn't take too long to loosen up - it does indeed compliment the Reflex's abilities and is another firm recommendation.
 
The purchase of the Reflex M has made me start wet cleaning all my vinyl again - only 427 to go.......
 
 
 


Posted By: tg [RIP]
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2010 at 9:49am

Nice TT setup you have, good to hear you are pleased with the Reflex, I love mine, or at least I love how it lets my records sound.





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