UK loan programme

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   I tried another interesting (well for me anyway!) experiment.  Previously, when I compared my Novo against the Solo UL, I used the PSU1 to power both amps to try to make the test fairer. 
So I thought it would be interesting to A/B the Solo powered alternately by the PSU1 and the switcher power supply from the Novo. The differences, while clearly audible, are much more subtle than the differences between the Novo and Solo, and as such would likely make a larger difference to long term listenability than they do to a quick A/B. But long term listenability is what we care about, of course...

Both PSUs give a similar sense of space I've tried to describe previously. With the PSU1, the image is slightly wider and deeper. As you'd expect with a better power supply, mid and deep bass is significantly bigger and better defined with the PSU1, but the difference which has a greater effect is the change in the tonal balance of the crucial lower and mid treble region relative to everything else below.

With the switcher, this region is either slightly louder or not as well controlled - I can't identify which of the two. But the subjective effect is to add a slightly hard/artificial edge to the sound. The effect is most noticeable on bright recordings with lots of strings and cymbals. I found myself wanting to compensate with a slight reduction in volume. Another subjective effect is that voices and instruments in this region sound slightly less real and palpable. 

I have to emphasise that the Solo-with-switcher is still a superb headamp - showing a clean pair of heels to the Novo + PSU1, for instance, it's just that the PSU1 seems to lift it to an even higher plane. At the risk of stating the obvious, it makes possible a NAIM-like upgrade strategy - buy and enjoy a Solo UL now, then add a PSU1 at a later date.

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discrete badger Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Status: Offline Points: 479	Posted: 12 Nov 2011 at 9:43am
	I tried another interesting (well for me anyway!) experiment. Previously, when I compared my Novo against the Solo UL, I used the PSU1 to power both amps to try to make the test fairer. So I thought it would be interesting to A/B the Solo powered alternately by the PSU1 and the switcher power supply from the Novo. The differences, while clearly audible, are much more subtle than the differences between the Novo and Solo, and as such would likely make a larger difference to long term listenability than they do to a quick A/B. But long term listenability is what we care about, of course... Both PSUs give a similar sense of space I've tried to describe previously. With the PSU1, the image is slightly wider and deeper. As you'd expect with a better power supply, mid and deep bass is significantly bigger and better defined with the PSU1, but the difference which has a greater effect is the change in the tonal balance of the crucial lower and mid treble region relative to everything else below. With the switcher, this region is either slightly louder or not as well controlled - I can't identify which of the two. But the subjective effect is to add a slightly hard/artificial edge to the sound. The effect is most noticeable on bright recordings with lots of strings and cymbals. I found myself wanting to compensate with a slight reduction in volume. Another subjective effect is that voices and instruments in this region sound slightly less real and palpable. I have to emphasise that the Solo-with-switcher is still a superb headamp - showing a clean pair of heels to the Novo + PSU1, for instance, it's just that the PSU1 seems to lift it to an even higher plane. At the risk of stating the obvious, it makes possible a NAIM-like upgrade strategy - buy and enjoy a Solo UL now, then add a PSU1 at a later date.

Fatmangolf Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Location: Middlesbrough Status: Offline Points: 8623	Posted: 12 Nov 2011 at 10:48am
	Yes, the Solo Ultralinear/PSU1 is that good in my opinion also. Jon PS: The Solo UL needs the PSU1 to perform at its best. Edited by Fatmangolf - 13 Nov 2011 at 9:04pm
	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.

Graham Slee Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Retired Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Location: South Yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 16097	Posted: 13 Nov 2011 at 11:04am
	We only do the Solo UL with the PSU1
	That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps

discrete badger Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Status: Offline Points: 479	Posted: 14 Nov 2011 at 8:33pm
	The time has come for the Solo UL to go, courtesy of Fatmangolf, to its next lucky borrower. From my Voyager Spatially Enhanced postings, it'll be clear that I'm interested in headamps that perform well across a wide variety of music. The Solo UL has brought its special talents - as described earlier - to bear consistently across everything I've listened to. It takes a transparent and neutral amplifier to do that. One common feature across all the styles - the Solo absolutely loves good recordings, and has let me appreciate the talents of the best sound engineers and producers. Take a recording I have referred to previously - the Telarc recording of the Jongen Symphonie Concertante, and particularly the fast, glittering and highly dynamic final movement. This has been a reference recording for me for over a decade. The hall acoustics are relatively dry, the orchestra is closely miked, it's mixed skillfully and there is a wide and deep symphonic tapestry of colour; the orchestration merges together strings and woodwind, percussion as one. And just so we don't give the electronics an easy ride, there is Telarc's infamously unrealistic drums and masses of organ bass down to 16hz. It's very easy for an amp to lose the upper detail with all of that going on down below! And then there is the brass - you know when you see a brass instrument on stage, all highly polished, not a single fingermark, like a golden mirror? A really good DAC and amplifier are able to make trumpets, with all their rich harmonics, sound just like that. The Solo UL is in that category. I'd urge anybody who is curious about the Solo UL to join the loan programme and hear it for themselves. I tried to listen with an open mind, but one part of me half-expected a "Novo on steroids" - no, the Solo UL is far more than that.

oldagetraveller Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2009 Location: The Moorlands Status: Offline Points: 367	Posted: 16 Nov 2011 at 2:16pm
	Received an Elevator and Reflex M as part of the "loaner programme" this morning. Connected my PT turntable/Denon DL304 MC to the Elevator input, tonearm earth to Elevator, Elevator output to Reflex input and then usual connection to Naim Pre-amp. Connected PSU1s to each and when turning up the pre-amp vol. to normal listening level massive and unbearable hum! Tried disconnecting turntable but still there. It only seems to be evident when the Elevator is connected and powered up. Tried using my own Era Gold, just the same. It's also there through headphones and Solo UL. PSU1s are well away from the units in fact the supplies for my existing Solo and Era Gold are where they've always been with no effect. Any suggestions because it makes it impossible to listen to the music properly and I don't want to damage my amp or speakers!? Previously using an old MM/MC switchable Project Phono Box (for MC) giving a barely discernable hiss through the speakers but not headphones. Edited by oldagetraveller - 16 Nov 2011 at 2:19pm
	Peter P T- LPT/RB300/G1042, Pink Triangle Tarantella/Nima/Ortofon 2M Black, SL1210II, Naim CD5, NAC112, NAP150, Flatcap2, Proac SC1, GS SoloUL,GS Accession , Senn HD250 & HD540.

Graham Slee Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Retired Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Location: South Yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 16097	Posted: 16 Nov 2011 at 7:42pm
	The solution to oldagetraveller's Elevator EXP set-up difficulties and how we all got there has been moved to a side topic and can be found here http://www.gspaudio-community.activeboards.net/topic1244.html The moderators felt that the page and a half of often tense suggestions and implementations detracted from the UK Loan Programme topic but also felt them valuable for others who could have similar set-up difficulties, so rather than delete them completely, they were moved as being "off-topic". Edited by Graham Slee - 20 Nov 2011 at 9:01am
	That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps

Fatmangolf Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Location: Middlesbrough Status: Offline Points: 8623	Posted: 19 Nov 2011 at 12:04pm
	Post script: I am missing the Reflex M. I wasn't sure how much better it would be but I will definitely be buying one thanks to the loan scheme.
	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.

UK loan programme

Cadman Enterprises Limited
7 Kirkstall Close
South Anston
Sheffield S25 5BA
England

+44 (0) 1909 568739
+44 (0) 7947 107188

john at gspaudio.co.uk

UK loan programme

Cadman Enterprises Limited7 Kirkstall CloseSouth AnstonSheffield S25 5BAEngland

+44 (0) 1909 568739+44 (0) 7947 107188

john at gspaudio.co.uk

Cadman Enterprises Limited
7 Kirkstall Close
South Anston
Sheffield S25 5BA
England

+44 (0) 1909 568739
+44 (0) 7947 107188