which one???
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Turntable Audio
Forum Name: Graham Slee Phono Stages
Forum Description: Questions, answers, and product information zone for Graham Slee Phono Stage Preamps
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4365
Printed Date: 19 Apr 2024 at 1:27am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: which one???
Posted By: SiE
Subject: which one???
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 3:11pm
| After years of happily listening to my music via Apple Play, I'm putting together another vinyl front end. At the moment, I've got as far as the turntable (an SME model 10) and the arm (an Audiomod classic 2) and cartridges I already own are: Shure V15 3s, Denon moving coil and Goldring 1042. I would like to buy a Graham Slee phono stage on the basis that they seem excellent value for money, well reviewed and capable of performing at a level that matches the other pieces in the front end, however, I'm at a loss to know which of the many GS phono stages to choose - any advice? |
Replies:
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 6:03pm
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Welcome to the forum, Simon! The short answer to you question is "the best you can afford/want to spend"! Those cartridges in an Audiomods arm on an SME 10 (I'm drooling already!) demand the best. You probably know this forum operates a loan scheme - borrow an Accession and you won't want to send it back.  And is that a low output Denon MC? Borrow an Elevator step-up amp to go with it.Drop a PM to Jon (aka Fatmangolf) to arrange of loan of whichever kit you'd like to try (and interconnects too). I'm sure you'll be thrilled at the sound coming from your records . . . ------------- 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: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2017 at 6:36pm
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Tip: to send Fatmangolf a PM find one of his posts and click the drop-down menu to the right of his username then click Send Private Message. ------------- That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 02 Dec 2017 at 10:17am
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Hi Simon, I'm ready to help when you contact me by PM. Bob's recommendation is a good one and would be a lifetime investment. I run that combination of units and it brings my records to life via my Transfiguration Phoenix on modified arm SME IV and Michell Gorbe deck. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: SiE
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2017 at 11:26am
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Thanks, guys - all very encouraging! I've kind-of got the ball rolling by buying a "previously loved" Gram Amp 2 Communicator. I understand this was one of the earlier designs that went some way to setting the standard of GS's value for money phono amps which will give me a good idea of what's possible at the entry level. In the past, I've used on-board phono stages from Naim and Quad and, most successfully, following a recommendation from my dear old chum Umit Kayacan, a large Avi integrated amp, which he pointed out, had a lovely phono stage in it. From what folk have already said, I can expect a decent dedicated phono stage to be a step up from this starting point.
Later on, the loan scheme can give me access to higher-end options so I can explore what's possible - how exciting! I'm glad I joined! |
Posted By: DTB
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2018 at 4:02pm
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Greetings GSP Forum! I just signed up today and would appreciate some advice. I have never had an outboard phono stage but have read numerous times that they are (usually) superior to integrated and think I should finally look into. I should say I like what I have at the moment but think that some greater detail and drive might work for me. My current system is a Systemdek IIX with a modfied Rega RB250 arm (Cardas rewire and Michell counterweight) and a Goldring 1042 MM cartridge / Roksan Kandy K2 integrated amp / Monitor Audio Silver 8 floorstanding speakers. My musical tastes include a range of rock and indie and some electronic music with occasional explorations of classical. In the scheme of things I am not sure where the Roksan Kandy phono stage sits and grateful for advice on what might be an improvement in quality i.e. would the Gram Amp 2 SE give a big leap in quality over the built in phono stage on the Kandy K2 or do I need to set my sights higher? Any feedback will be very greatly received.
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Posted By: BackinBlack
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2018 at 5:01pm
Welcome to the Forum Derek. The Gram Amp 2SE would certainly bring an improvement. Probably worth making use of the loan scheme to find out how much of an improvement. You might also try further up the range, perhaps the Reflex M, it's only going to cost you postage for the units. A PM to Jon, aka Fatmangolf will get things underway. A week or so of listening in your own home is really worth it. Happy Listening Ian ------------- Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it. |
DTB wrote:Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2018 at 7:08pm
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I too use a G1042 with a Rega arm and I have just passed my Roksan Kandy LIII on to my son. I took advantage of the home loan scheme and borrowed the Reflex M. Unsurprisingly the Kandy’s phonostage was significantly outclassed. My son is now using a “bottom of the range” Slee DAK Genera phonostage rather than the Kandy’s inbuilt phonostage. ------------- Ifor ===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2018 at 11:02pm
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I can easily set up a home loan of a Reflex M which would IMO do your turntable justice. Please PM me when you are ready. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: nigewill
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2018 at 12:15pm
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I too am a new member and would like some advise on phono stages. At the recent Bristol Hi=Fi show I was talking to one of the guys from Origin Live about updating my system. He suggested the Onyx tonearm, Dynovector 10x5 cartridge and GSP Gold Era V phono stage, they seem to like GSP at Origin Live. I was wondering what anyone thought of this set up and why he would recommend the Era gold over the Reflex M. The turntable is Pink Triangle, amp is Cyrus 7 and speakers PMC GB1i. Any thoughts/advice would be most welcome |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2018 at 4:34pm
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Would you like to try both Nigel? ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: nigewill
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2018 at 6:28pm
| Yes I would like to try both. I know there is loan scheme through the forum but not sure how it works. Can I try both together or do I need to get one at a time? |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2018 at 7:19pm
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Please send me a PM (in drop menu to left) and I'll get things moving for you. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |