Setup improvements
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: And the rest
Forum Name: Pre-amplification
Forum Description: This was covered under Amplification but we decided it needed a section of its own
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5145
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 1:54am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Setup improvements
Posted By: Topendz
Subject: Setup improvements
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 1:06pm
| Hello there Simon here. I’m new to the vinyl community with the following setup Fluance RT84 with 2m Blue MM cartridge, Fluance PA10 preamp and Fluance Ai60 active speakers. Nothing fancy but generally good enough for my use. Having said that I’m looking to improve the overall sound, crispness and clarity while eliminating the occasional hum I experience. I’m assuming the pre-amp should be my first upgrade would everyone agree. Looking for recommendations on which model. The PA10 is not bad based on my limited knowledge so I’m thinking maybe the entry level Graham Slee will not give me significant improvement.’ |
Replies:
Posted By: lfc jon
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 2:51pm
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Hi Simon Don't dismiss the Communicator a lot on here are vary happy with it and also have up graded it with the PSU1 power supply, one thing you will notice with all GS phono amps is the low back ground noise, you know the pops and things. try out the loaner program and see (hear) for your self
Jonathan ------------- Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze. |
Posted By: Topendz
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 4:40pm
| Thanks Jonathan sounds like sound advise. The loaner program sounds perfect. Yes the communicator does sound good with the enhanced power supply but I’m so confused I think to experience it is really my best option |
Posted By: lfc jon
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 6:54pm
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I should have add that if you go for the loan of the Communicator see if you can get both power supply's then you can make up your mind if the PSU1 is worth going for, I think you will be surprised? I'll tell you I got a surprise with the low noise from my 1st GS phono amp them came the sound quality. ------------- Reflex M, Solo (both with PSU-1) CuSat50, Lautus, Spatia & Spatia links cables. Ortofon Bronze. |
Posted By: patientot
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 11:50pm
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Loaner program is the best way to go. You can ask to borrow more than one unit if you wanted to compare between two models.
------------- SL-1200 MK7 (modified) + Reflex M + PSU-1 used with AT150-40ML, AT VM610 MONO, AT VM95ML, Stanton 680mkII + Ogura, and Shure M35X cartridges. |
Posted By: Godra
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2021 at 12:54am
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Hi Simon! I just sent you a private email for the loaner program.
------------- Clearaudio Performance DC with Clarify tonearm + Virtuoso V2, Tannoy Legacy Eaton, Accession MM and BAT VK300Xse |
Posted By: Topendz
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2021 at 1:27am
| Received with gratitude. |
Posted By: Topendz
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 9:44pm
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One last question if I may... if you can humour me. With my setup would I benefit more from changing my cartridge from MM to MC and getting say a REFLEX C or similar or would just upgrading to a REFLEX M or similar give me just as good results. opinions here are all welcome. I purchased a used Schiit Mani pre-amp this week just to test my ears to see if I could hear any difference between that and my Fluance PA10 both very low end items I know. To my untrained ear I couldn't really tell the difference. I know I have the loaner option too but I still wanted to ask this question if you don't mind. Thank you so much.
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Posted By: patientot
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 9:50pm
Topendz, I used to own a Schiit Mani. Despite impressive numbers on paper it picked up RFI and was very noisy and hissy in practice. The customer service department at the company seemed to have a contempt for customers also when I raised the issue with them privately. I also had some issues with another product from them, but I won't get into this any further. Bottom line, I will never buy another product from them again. Now, that was a few years ago, and I've been told they improved the Mani since. However, I doubt a Mani would sound better if you pit it against the Reflex M side by side. I think the Mani would lose there. I have a Reflex M and do not miss the Mani AT ALL. I cannot help you with the PA10 because I never heard one. RE: MC carts, I don't want to beat a dead horse but unless you have the budget for a fairly nice one, which can be expensive, I'm not sure I would recommend going that route. A good MM/MI cart will give you excellent sound with a G.S. phono preamp. ------------- SL-1200 MK7 (modified) + Reflex M + PSU-1 used with AT150-40ML, AT VM610 MONO, AT VM95ML, Stanton 680mkII + Ogura, and Shure M35X cartridges. |
Topendz wrote:Posted By: Topendz
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 10:18pm
Thank you... to be clear I had no expectations of the Schiit mani and wasn't thinking of comparing it to any Graham Slee in particular. I picked it up for my own curiosity really to compare to my current preamp. Both low end and I didn't have high expectations it was more a test for my ears
 |
Posted By: Topendz
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 10:25pm
| Oh and thank you for answering the cartridge question. No I don't have a ton to invest in this hobby so it sounds like sticking with the cartridge I have and pairing it with a Graham Slee is the way to go. I just have to decide how much I am willing to spend on a preamp and to set my expectations. |
Posted By: patientot
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2021 at 10:30pm
No problem, just keep in mind that is my opinion only and other people have different opinions. The great thing about the loaner program is that you can try units at different price points and see what works best for your system and budget. It's hard to generalize too much when I don't know your whole system, your personal tastes, what kind of music you play and so on. ------------- SL-1200 MK7 (modified) + Reflex M + PSU-1 used with AT150-40ML, AT VM610 MONO, AT VM95ML, Stanton 680mkII + Ogura, and Shure M35X cartridges. |