Reflex C Review
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Turntable Audio
Forum Name: Write A Review
Forum Description: Satisfied with your Graham Slee phono preamp? - share your experiences here
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4447
Printed Date: 20 Apr 2024 at 4:26pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Reflex C Review
Posted By: Alexjj
Subject: Reflex C Review
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2018 at 11:01am
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A little about me first. I am a fifty year old bloke that has always listened to
music and I’m old enough to still call “vinyl” albums. I don’t know the proper
terms for what I’m listening to but I know what I like. I read lots of forums but I very really contribute. I don’t
usually have much to say. So this is new
to me. My Hifi set up is relatively modest. P******t RPM 5 Carbon,
Benz micro gold cartridge, Marantz PM8005 amplifier and B&W CM4 speakers. Up until now I have used the phono stage in the amp with a
moving magnet cartridge. But wanting to try moving coil cartridges I managed to
pick up a used Reflex C on eBay for a very good price. Then bought a cartridge
to go with it. The Reflex has been plugged in for 4 days (will it burn in
without music going through it?) and the cartridge is new so both need to be
run in but here’s my initial thoughts. Astonishing As I said before I don’t know the correct musical terms so
here goes. There is more music in my music. Where I use to hear guitar now I hear separate guitars. Base
and drums were bassy now there is a base guitar and a base drum. Cymbals are
out of this world. I only listen in a small room and 3.5 x 3.5 mts but the
music somehow seems bigger. How can two speakers in front of me produce music
that sounds like it’s all around me? I like all types of music (apart from country and warbly
female singers). I’ve listen to Classical, Rock Psychedelic and some Reggae and
it all sounds good. Apart from a few tracks that sound awful which I am hoping
will get better. I dug out an old Grace Jones album and the sound and rhythm
that came out of the speakers was a different class to anything I’d heard from
the record before. I put on Pink Floyd’s Momentary lapse of reason. The vocals
at the beginning of “on the turning away” were haunting. There is just a voice
from nowhere and everywhere at once. The base in the song Angel by massive
attack brought my wife in to see what was going on. As I said at the beginning,
astonishing. I can’t wait to hear it when everything is run in and I will
add to this review when I have more thoughts. The only real issue I have now is if I bought more of
grahams gear would it sound even better!!!!! This could get very expensive. Thanks for reading Alex |
Replies:
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2018 at 11:21am
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Hi Alex and welcome to the forum! It's great you're enjoying the Reflex C. You should keep it powered up all the time - that way you'll always get the best out of it. The difference between integrated amps' phono sections and Graham's phono amps is always a bit of a shock at first. As you're discovering, there's so much more information in your record grooves! ------------- 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: BackinBlack
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2018 at 2:03pm
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Hi Alex and welcome to the forum from me too. I started with Grahams products in a similar way although with a Fanfare. The first thing that I noticed was the almost total absence of pops, clicks and surface noise, then the width of soundstage with instruments easily identified within it. As Bob says keep it powered on 24/7 for best results. As your Reflex C is 2nd hand burn in should be well established, but after a time idle there will be some further improvement as everything settles in again. Happy Listening Ian ------------- Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it. |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2018 at 5:25pm
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The only problem I can foresee is that some room modes in a square room will dominate and this could be why some albums don't sound right. They will possibly contain frequencies which are overly boosted or cut making them difficult to listen to. The Reflex C is best left on all the time, only pulling out the mains plug if leaving the house unattended for a few days which most of us do anyway. It doesn't need signal to settle-in. ------------- That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: Alexjj
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2018 at 5:59pm
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Hi Graham It was more certain tracks not whole albums that sounded bad. One was the last track on side one of the new foo fighters album. Also this album seemed to have a lot more surface noise. Could that be the 180g vinyl and the cartridge not being set up for the thicker vinyl? |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2018 at 8:39pm
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I doubt it's the thicker vinyl, but then again if the stylus isn't at its optimum "digging in" angle then it could be riding high. Unfortunately surface noise is sometimes pot luck, and I've bought some so called quality re-releases which are worse than their commercial quality originals. ------------- That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: Alexjj
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2018 at 2:25pm
| Thanks for the responses guys. I am looking forward to hearing the sound when its all run in. |
Posted By: Alexjj
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2018 at 11:32am
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Hi Guys I have a quick question. I need to re-route some cables. If i unplug the reflex for about 20 seconds does the burn in time start again? Thanks Alex
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Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2018 at 12:18pm
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The whole "burn-in" thing is associated with charge held in the circuits and components, especially capacitor charging vs discharging, which are exponential asymptotes so rate is proportional to the quantity itself. A brief disconnection will allow some discharging but it won't take long to revert back when re-connected. It doesn't start again from its new state. ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: Alexjj
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2018 at 9:53am
| Cheers Ash |
Posted By: Jeremyh
Date Posted: 04 May 2018 at 11:50am
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Rather than start a new thread I thought I would just add to the Reflex C review. First of all I just want to say what a great service the loan scheme is, thank you for all those involved it could not be simpler. I had tried out several MC phono stages before borrowing the Reflex, all highly regarded English and Welsh manufacturers. Yes they produced a highly detailed sound, but not one I particularly wanted to listen to. I was beginning to wonder whether it was just me, but then I borrowed the Reflex C - what a difference! It just sounds better, I am once again enjoying listening - the detail is there, but without the harshness. I sit in front of the speakers with an idiotic grin on my face - oh joy! The down side is that I have to return the Reflex, I wonder whether the Accession will sound even better? Choices, choices....... Jeremy
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Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 04 May 2018 at 11:55am
You need to borrow an Accession MC when you can Jeremy - just for your peace of mind!  ------------- 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: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 04 May 2018 at 6:38pm
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The Accession MC has arrived and has been powered for a week to burn-in before I start my loan period. I really haven't listened to it yet! There is a reasonable queue but more can join to try it in due course. ------------- 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: Drewan77
Date Posted: 05 May 2018 at 12:59am
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Jeremy. If the wait period for a loan is long & you could justify the cost difference, I recommend you just buy an Accession. It should be the last phono stage you will ever need (or want, once heard). ------------- Older than I once was, younger than I'll be ............................. Andrew |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 05 May 2018 at 2:07pm
I have to second Andrew's comments here! My Accession MC is settling in well and sounds sublime!  ------------- 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 |