Home Trial - Initial Impressions
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=4739
Printed Date: 19 Apr 2024 at 10:49am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Home Trial - Initial Impressions
Posted By: Pwog
Subject: Home Trial - Initial Impressions
Date Posted: 28 May 2019 at 3:34pm
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Hello All, I currently have the privilege of auditioning the Era Gold V, Reflex M and Accession M in my system. I also have a pair of CuSat50 and Lautus interconnects. Here are my initial impressions: Era Gold V: I noticed a difference right away from the upgraded phono stage built in to my SCA-35. I hope the following makes sense. Everything that I have played seems more musical; tighter timing, more space around instruments and vocals and crisp, clear sound. Reflex M: OMG! What a difference! My system SINGS! With out a doubt, the Reflex M has my system sounding the best it ever has. The sound stage is so much better defined and my speakers disappear. With the Era Gold V, as stated above, I noticed a difference immediately. With the Reflex M, although noticing a difference immediately, the difference was not subtle! I was blown away how much better my favorite reference albums sounded. I wasn't expecting such a difference. My wife said, "it's like hearing this music for the first time." I think the Reflex M should come with a warning - Warning, danger of severe sleep loss due to extended listening periods! I've only been listening to the Reflex M for about two weeks and I plan on listening a lot more before connecting the Accession M. ------------- Paul Acoustic Research ES-1, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Ayre C-5xemp disc player, Dynaco SCA-35 (updated), Dynaco ST-70 (updated and modified), Revel performa M20, Accession M, CuSat 50 interconnects |
Replies:
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 28 May 2019 at 5:16pm
| I have owned all three so pleased you have found the graduated improvement for the first two so far and is always interesting to hear how the stages compare with other or integrated phono stages - the main thing I recall over the Era Gold was the much wider soundstage though found the general benefits more subtle than you have ... will look forward to your findings with the Accession M; enjoy the Reflex M (while you can!). |
Posted By: Pwog
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 2:45pm
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So, I have been comparing the Reflex M with the Accession M over the last few weeks. As I said above, the Reflex M makes my system, which I think sounds amazing without the Reflex, sounds as satisfying as I have ever heard it! I think the addition of the Reflex M to my system would satisfy me enough that I would finally be finished trying to tweak better sound out of it. After I started to listen to the Accession M in my system, I noticed a bit more detail on some recordings over the Reflex, but I can't decide whether or not to purchase the Reflex or the Accession. I find trying to A/B test the two to be difficult. I have both powered up, but still have to switch interconnects to audition one or the other. I am using a pair of CuSat50s for both units. Then of course I have been playing with the loading dip switches and the EQ, which adds another level of variables. I have them for another week or so. I would welcome any recommendations from the more "seasoned" Slee aficionados. A note to Graham: The home audition program is brilliant! Thank you for offering it. This has been my best audio shopping/listening experience ever! To be able to listen to a component on the system that I listen to, in the room I listen to it in, as I said, is BRILLIANT!!! Thank you, Sir.
------------- Paul Acoustic Research ES-1, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Ayre C-5xemp disc player, Dynaco SCA-35 (updated), Dynaco ST-70 (updated and modified), Revel performa M20, Accession M, CuSat 50 interconnects |
Posted By: RichW
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 3:23pm
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Hi Paul, The Reflex M sets a very high standard indeed & I remember hearing the improvement it made over the already very decent Era Gold V as soon as it was powered on when upgraded some years ago. I still run a ReflexM with a second deck & still find its sound deeply impressive. It sounds like the Reflex has made the biggest impression on you - give it another week and go for the Reflex if the Accession's charms don't wow you as much.  ------------- Majestic/Enigma, Accession MM & MC. |
Posted By: Pwog
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 3:38pm
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Thanks for the reply Rich. I agree the Reflex really lifted the bar after auditioning the, also very musical Era Gold. Although, I am on the fence sonically between the Reflex and Accession, I really like the volume knob on the Accession, as I plan to start recording my vinyl. I do have an old Mackie board that I was going to use for recording, to be able to control the input volume during recording. I also like the black case option. I know neither is a factor in the sonics, but do warrant consideration. ------------- Paul Acoustic Research ES-1, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Ayre C-5xemp disc player, Dynaco SCA-35 (updated), Dynaco ST-70 (updated and modified), Revel performa M20, Accession M, CuSat 50 interconnects |
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 3:55pm
| you can only decide with you own ears and agree with what RichW says. Whether using an elevator/ MC magnifiers the differences I cannot say... |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2019 at 8:52pm
If you've had the best listening experience ever then I've been doing my job right. A tip regarding comparisons: as you know the Reflex M by now, stop listening with it and spend the rest of the time with the Accession bar a few hours. Then, swap back to the Reflex M and have a few hours with it. I think you will then know which is the way to go. ------------- That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Pwog wrote:Posted By: Pwog
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2019 at 3:15am
Thanks Graham. I was wondering, the recommended load capacitance for my cartridge is 150 - 300 pF. I don’t know about my tone arm/ arm cable. How would you go about figuring the dip switch settings? ------------- Paul Acoustic Research ES-1, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Ayre C-5xemp disc player, Dynaco SCA-35 (updated), Dynaco ST-70 (updated and modified), Revel performa M20, Accession M, CuSat 50 interconnects |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2019 at 8:21am
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DIP: 100 pF. Usually the arm wiring + arm cable contributes another 100 pF. This will match that of the Reflex M set-up. ------------- That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: Pwog
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2019 at 12:30pm
Thanks Graham! You were spot on with your suggestion. After listening (and loving) the Reflex M I switched to the Accession and listened for a couple hours. I then switched back and played the same music through the Reflex. The Accession wins! I heard the difference almost immediately! I heard more space around individual instruments and vocals with a more refined ability to hear where the instruments were positioned within the sound stage. What impressed me the most was the difference in the clarity and tonality of individual instruments in the music. I guess I would say uncolored, to borrow a term used by audio reviewers; more natural. They sounded like they're supposed to sound. When I first started to compare the Reflex with the Accession, I didn't think the Accession would sound better than the Reflex in my system, but I was wrong. I have never been more satisfied with the sound coming through my system, as it was playing through the Accession. I would like to thank Bruce Kohl for facilitating my loaner experience and, of course Graham for allowing the loaner program to exist. ------------- Paul Acoustic Research ES-1, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Ayre C-5xemp disc player, Dynaco SCA-35 (updated), Dynaco ST-70 (updated and modified), Revel performa M20, Accession M, CuSat 50 interconnects |
Posted By: RichW
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2019 at 1:08pm
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Your description of the Accession's particular strengths is spot on Paul. ------------- Majestic/Enigma, Accession MM & MC. |
Posted By: Pwog
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2019 at 1:25pm
Thanks Rich! I was wondering if people would be able to pick up what I was putting down. I find it a challenge to put what I'm hearing into words. ------------- Paul Acoustic Research ES-1, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Ayre C-5xemp disc player, Dynaco SCA-35 (updated), Dynaco ST-70 (updated and modified), Revel performa M20, Accession M, CuSat 50 interconnects |
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2019 at 3:07pm
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yes spot on with me too. You can only use words to describe what YOU hear albeit we appear to be all hearing the same things but with different words. There is no right or wrong answer but naturalness is a key aspect and something I always value for in any component or change. Good luck with your purchase!
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Posted By: Pwog
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2019 at 11:32pm
Thanks Richard. I’ll be placing my order soon. Can’t wait, as now that I’ve returned my loaners, my vinyl just doesn’t sound as good.  ------------- Paul Acoustic Research ES-1, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Ayre C-5xemp disc player, Dynaco SCA-35 (updated), Dynaco ST-70 (updated and modified), Revel performa M20, Accession M, CuSat 50 interconnects |