Due
to the current fluctuations in exchange rates and the
impact of the recession on manufacturers, please regard the
prices on this page as ‘guide’ only. If you are interested
in the equipment you must contact me for a current
price.
Pre-Amps
Power Supplies
Headphone Amps
Individually
hand built in the United Kingdom, each Graham Slee pre amp
is the accumulation of 25 years research into the art of
near perfect electronic sound reproduction.
Extensive
quality control systems check each individual model to
ensure all parameters (S-N, gain, RIAA accuracy, distortion
etc) are as intended.
All
models improve with use during the first couple of weeks,
revealing more about the music with each consecutive
rendition.
Phono
Stage Pre-Amps (for Moving Magnet)
Gram
Amp 2 Communicator Phono Stage Preamp
£156
Designed
to give above-average performance in a budget to 'mid-fi'
system. In a better system it 'punches above its weight'
and produces a stereo image with width and depth beyond the
speakers and often beyond the boundaries of the listening
room!
Intentionally, its gain is slightly on the low side which
makes it most suited for use with medium to high output
moving magnet cartridges. This also makes it an ideal phono
preamp for the DJ whose disco records can give a much
higher output - its lower gain means there's less chance of
clipping (overload) so higher volumes can be achieved with
reduced speaker wear.
This
great little phono preamp is purposely made small,
lightweight and unobtrusive so it ships relatively cheaply
in a tiny package (complete with its external power
supply). Its #16 gauge black anodised aluminium case with
silvered lettering looks good in any setting, but most of
all it makes it possible for this high performance UK made
phono preamp to be offered at such a competitive price!
The
Gram Amp 2 Communicator phono stage preamp is supplied with
a universal-voltage energy-efficient mains plug mounted
power supply. It can also be powered by our PSU1 power
supply which can be ordered separately
Gram
Amp 2 Special Edition Phono Stage Preamp
£229
A
phono stage preamp for moving magnet, high output moving
coil and moving iron phono cartridges.
The
Gram Amp 2 Special Edition phono stage preamp was first
launched in 2001 with a number of improvements over its
legendary stable mate, the Gram Amp 2 (now called the
Communicator).
The Special Edition of the Gram Amp 2 phono stage preamp
features 50 percent more gain to deliver a higher output
favoured by owners of passive preamps when using medium to
high output (4.5mV or above) moving magnet phono
cartridges.
For
the 2009/2010 season, the Gram Amp 2 Special Edition phono
stage preamp is supplied with a universal-voltage
energy-efficient mains plug mounted power supply. It can
also be powered by our PSU1 power supply which can be
ordered separately.
The
Era Gold V
£369 (£509 with PSU1)
The
Era Gold V phono stage preamp is for moving magnet, moving
iron and high output moving coil phono cartridges in the
range 2mV to 10mV.
It
is one of the very few phono stage preamps ever to remain
in Stereophile magazine's class-A recommended section for
four years! It still features as a Stereophile recommended
product. It was also Hi-Fi News 2005 award winner along
with the Elevator EXP.
A
fixed gain RIAA phono stage preamp, the Era Gold V marked a
"sea change" in phono stage preamp design. The Era Gold V
pushed bandwidth wide open, something phono stage preamps
just didn't do! It brought high stability video frequency
technology to vinyl to the surprise of many. Musical
boundaries were broken down to reveal sound-scapes
extending well beyond the listening room! And from normal
commercial pressings at that!
It
also brought about an understanding about "burn-in" that
few hi-fi enthusiasts had known before. Burn-in was well
understood by precision ADC (analogue to digital) chip
technology engineers early in development history. Common
electronic components like resistors had been found to take
as long as six months to settle to the point of maximum
accuracy. Those reviewers patient enough discovered the
secret depths of the Era Gold V phono stage preamp, which
after 3 weeks being constantly on, delivered hitherto
unknown levels of vinyl musicality.
The
Era Gold V, though superseded by the Reflex M (M2) is still
available due to popular demand.
Jazz
Club Multi-Curve Phono Stage Preamp for moving magnet
sensitivity cartridges
£660 with PSU1
The
Jazz Club multi-curve phono stage preamp isn't just for
jazz - it's for all records!
This
phono stage preamp features a number of different
equalization curves in addition to the fixed RIAA curve you
get with a regular phono stage preamp.
It's
an essential phono stage preamp for the archivist and
listeners who play antique records. Its switch-matrix
equalisation gives immediate results saving the guesswork
of digital manipulation.
More
than that, its fast circuit "rides" the clicks: its
propagation speed input to output, and negative feedback
too, are so fast that clicks and pops are controlled - not
exaggerated like with run-of-the-mill phono stage preamps.
The result is a reduction of record noise, and for the
archivist that means less "cleaning-up".
Add
to that the "miraculous" Ear Gold V musicality - the
platform on which the Jazz Club is built - and early
recordings regain more of the life, colour and sparkle
locked in their grooves.
78s were from the pioneering days of the phonograph. Each
record label had its own idea as to the best cutting curve
and therefore the EQ varied considerably between record
labels (and record label alliances). The Jazz Club features
eight identified EQ curves for 78 RPM records.
With
LPs and EPs (extended play "singles") the story was much
the same, but as can be seen by the reduced number of
curves, record label EQs were starting to converge.
For today's RIAA LPs and singles (the record industry
standard curve officially introduced in 1954) the Jazz Club
is sonically identical to the Era Gold V - the only circuit
layout difference is that its RIAA de-emphasis components
are situated in the EQ switch-matrix.
Even
some modern pressings can benefit by applying the 10kHz NAB
cut (-16dB) instead of RIAA (-13.7dB) - notably some toppy
sounding Tamla Motown and other recordings that are
unusually bright. It may not be due to record
The
Jazz Club, though superseded by the Revelation phono stage
preamp, is still available due to popular demand.
Moving
Magnet Cartridges: The Reflex M (M2)
£492 (£632 with PSU1)
Phono
stage preamp for moving magnet, moving iron and high-output
moving coil phono cartridges in the output range 2 - 10mV.
One
of the great innovations that made the Era Gold V phono
stage preamp miraculous and the Reflex our next generation
of Stereophile "class A" recommended phono stage preamps is
their extremely good open loop linearity.
Negative feedback is used in most all amplifier stages to
straighten their open-loop distortion, but often lashings
of negative feedback has to be used to force them into
linear operation. But as tube amp enthusiasts know, lots of
negative feedback doesn't do good music.
The
Reflex M phono stage preamp is highly linear before
negative feedback is applied. The result is an uncanny
reality which transports the listener into a very involving
musical experience.
For
the 2009/2010 season, the Reflex phono stage preamp is
offered with a universal-voltage energy-efficient mains
plug mounted power supply option. The PSU1 linear power
supply option is still also available.
Phono
Stage/Phono Preamp for RIAA/78 rpm/Pre-RIAA Vinyl:
Revelation M and C Phono Stage Preamps (moving magnet and
moving coil versions)
£675 (£816 with PSU1)
Both Revelation phono stage preamps are identical to the
original Revelation phono stage preamp with the exception
that the Revelation M is now lower noise, and the
Revelation C is for moving coil.
- Revelation M phono stage preamp: for moving magnet, high output moving iron and high output moving coil cartridges.
- Revelation C phono stage preamp: for conventional (low) output moving coil cartridges.
The Revelation phono stage preamps build on the sonic strengths of the earlier Jazz Club phono stage preamp.
The different equalisation (EQ) curves for non-RIAA records are selected on a switch-matrix on the front panel. When switched to RIAA for all modern (post 1954) records, the Revelation shares the same performance of its Reflex stable mate.
Like its Jazz Club predecessor the Revelation also "rides" the clicks, reducing surface noise through higher propagation speeds. Apart from badly worn or damaged records, surface noise is relegated to a position well behind the music...
For the 2009/2010 season, the Revelation phono stage preamps can be supplied with a universal-voltage energy-efficient plug mounted power supply. It can also be powered by its original linear PSU1 power supply, and both options are available
Phono
Stage Pre-Amps (for Moving Coil)
Gram
Amp 3 Fanfare RIAA Phono Stage Preamp
£249
RIAA phono stage preamp dedicated to moving coil cartridge
pre-amplification.
The
Gram Amp 3 Fanfare phono stage preamp is a dedicated (fixed
gain) conventional output moving coil cartridge phono stage
preamp designed for moving coil phono cartridges having
outputs in the range 0.3 to 1.2 mV (300 to 1,200 µV).
Corresponding output being 240 - 954mV (1kHz reference).
The
moving coil phono cartridge is often considered "high-end"
so it and the phono stage preamp necessary for its use can
be a "purchase too far" for the average vinyl fan.
Today
however, there are some excellent "budget" moving coil
phono cartridges. There are also budget priced moving coil
phono stage preamps, but to be quite blunt, you'd be
better-off sticking with moving magnet. The performance of
budget moving coil phono stage preamps is often
"lack-lustre", either because of cost constraints, or
design ineptitude, or poor quality in manufacturing and
test, or all three.
The
Gram Amp 3 Fanfare phono stage preamp represents the
"minima" in cost while giving a real "maxima" in moving
coil performance. It's quite amazing considering its budget
price tag.
What
would you rather have? A bit of hiss as you change records
and reduced surface noise with an incredibly good musical
performance when you're playing them? Or deathly silence
between records and an even more dead sound decorated with
clicks and pops?
Developed
over a four year period the Gram Amp 3 Fanfare phono stage
preamp is a highly stable fast phono stage preamp
maintaining acceptably low self noise.
One
of the biggest mistakes in any amplifier design, especially
phono stage preamp design, is to treat self noise
performance (hiss) as the "holy grail", when vinyl noise
even on quiet pressings is considerably greater. Too many
judge a phono stage preamp on its amount of hiss with no
record playing.
The
advantage in accepting a slightly higher hiss level, one
that's still below the surface hiss of quiet vinyl, is an
overall improvement in all aspects of musical performance,
but few designers are willing to take such a step because
magazine reviewers almost invariably view any audible hiss
- even without a record playing - as a negative. The simple
fact of physics is that the wide bandwidth required for a
convincing musical performance doesn't come in ultra-low
noise packages.
The
Gram Amp 3 Fanfare approach to hiss versus bandwidth is
nothing new to the Graham Slee line-up: all our phono stage
preamps err on the wide-band side and obviously because of
the physics produce a little hiss, but ask any owner if
they'd consider any other brand? The answer will be a quite
definite no!
But
the really great bit is record noise! Clicks and pops can
have a favourite record being allotted to the trash bin -
it doesn't have to be like this. Because of how fast or
wide-bandwidth a phono stage preamp such as the Gram Amp 3
Fanfare works, the annoying clicks and pops or even the
distortion of a high level finale of a well worn record
will often go unnoticed.
For
the 2009/2010 season (by December 2009), the Gram Amp 3
Fanfare phono stage preamp is supplied with a
universal-voltage energy-efficient mains plug mounted power
supply. It can also be powered by our PSU1 power supply
which can be ordered separately.
Reflex
C Moving Coil RIAA Phono Stage Preamp
£492 (£632 with PSU1)
The
Reflex C phono stage preamp is our new one box solution for
conventional (low) output moving coil cartridges having an
output of 0.2 to 1.0 mV.
The
NEW Reflex C phono stage preamp is what moving coil
cartridges have been waiting for!
Previously only possible with our Elevator EXP/Reflex M
combo, the Reflex C brings that missing excitement to
moving coil cartridge listening, revealing the secrets
hidden in your vinyl - as well as great dynamics, delicacy
and just the right amount of warmth. The soundstage is
simply spellbinding!
It
does what valves (tubes) did so well, but couldn't do with
moving coil because of valve noise - the best sounding
valve gear was ultra-linear, and we've made ultra-linear
possible in solid state.
Imagine
a tube/valve solution for moving coil phono stage
pre-amplification? If only! Unfortunately tubes/valves
don't have the open-loop gain and are too noisy to do
moving coil pre-amplification unless you also use a step-up
transformer (or even better, our Elevator EXP flat gain
step-up stage). But now, with the Reflex C phono stage
preamp you can get the sound you're searching for - yes,
that illusive tube/valve linearity from solid state!
For
the 2009/2010 season, the Reflex C phono stage preamp is
offered with a universal-voltage energy-efficient mains
plug mounted power supply option. The PSU1 linear power
supply option offering an even more dynamic feel is also
availabl
Phono
Stage/Phono Preamp for RIAA/78 rpm/Pre-RIAA Vinyl:
Revelation M and C Phono Stage Preamps (moving magnet and
moving coil versions)
£675 (£816 with PSU1)
Both Revelation phono stage preamps are identical to the
original Revelation phono stage preamp with the exception
that the Revelation M is now lower noise, and the
Revelation C is for moving coil.
- Revelation M phono stage preamp: for moving magnet, high output moving iron and high output moving coil cartridges.
- Revelation C phono stage preamp: for conventional (low) output moving coil cartridges.
- They are switchable-equalisation-curve versions of the Reflex M and Reflex C phono stage preamps.
- The Revelation phono stage preamps build on the sonic strengths of the earlier Jazz Club phono stage preamp.
Like its Jazz Club predecessor the Revelation also "rides" the clicks, reducing surface noise through higher propagation speeds. Apart from badly worn or damaged records, surface noise is relegated to a position well behind the music...
For the 2009/2010 season, the Revelation phono stage preamps can be supplied with a universal-voltage energy-efficient plug mounted power supply. It can also be powered by its original linear PSU1 power supply, and both options are available - see prices below
Phono
Preamp/Phono Stage Moving Coil Head Amp: Elevator
EXP
£561
The
Elevator EXP does just what its name suggests: it elevates
the tiny signal from conventional moving coil cartridges to
moving magnet level, and at the same time gives it the
EXPress Elevator treatment
Owners
of our moving magnet sensitivity phono stage preamps and
owners of valve (tube) phono stage preamps will need this
step-up device between turntable and phono stage preamp to
use a moving coil phono cartridge.
The
Elevator EXP provides a choice of another six load
resistances on its easily understood front panel switch
matrix in addition to the standard 100 Ohm moving coil
loading. Keen eyed technical observers will note a further
two positions are possible on the matrix, these deliver 90
Ohms (left down/right up) and 29 Ohms (left up/right down)
which are so close to other values as to be arbitrary -
still they may be of use.
PSU1 Linear Audio Power Supply
£166
The
PSU1 is the linear audio power supply supplied with our
flagship phono stage preamps and headphone amplifiers.
Safety
certified to IEC standard 60950.
The
PSU1 linear audio power supply has a stabilized output
voltage of +24VDC at a down-rated 200mA. It is available
with DC plugs to fit 2.5mm (standard issue) or 2.1mm DC
socket pins, and with detachable mains cords to suit UK,
European, Australian or USA outlets (specify at time of
order).
Two
mains voltages are available: 115VAC and 230VAC. They have
sufficient latitude to accommodate voltages from 90 -
130VAC and 180 - 260VAC respectively, when powering Graham
Slee products.
The
PSU1 is designed to be a remote power supply placed well
away from sensitive equipment like turntables and
cartridges which are susceptible to pick up of stray
magnetic fields. For maximum isolation it is best sited off
the hi-fi rack.
It uses a specially manufactured mains transformer made
using top quality transformer steel thus consuming minimal
excitation (core magnetisation) current whilst optimising
transformer regulation. A benefit is that it keeps
transformer buzz to an absolute minimum which is only
audible at very close quarters.
Transformer
secondary, rectifier and reservoir capacitor
interconnections are kept to the absolute minimum length
minimising charging current losses and interactions.
The
output is regulated at a stable +24VDC suitable to power
all existing Graham Slee audio products featured on this
website (In April 2010 an unregulated 30VDC (nom.) output
will also be provided for users wishing to use their own
regulator).
The
PSU1 can be used to upgrade the sound quality -
sound-staging, more vivid tonal colour and bass detailing -
of Graham Slee phono stage preamps and headphone amplifiers
supplied with switch-mode or linear plug-top power
supplies. Upgrading to the PSU1 has the effect of taking
your Graham Slee phono stage preamp or headphone amplifier
to a higher level of musical performance.
Switched
Mode Plug Top Power Supply
£25
The "Green" power supply described on our product pages for
use with our budget stages or as entry level option for our
flagship products, is a switched mode technology plug-top
design.
It complies with EU Eco-design requirements on external
power supplies (EPS), as well as many other carbon
reduction laws around the world, including Californian CEC.
It also complies with safety laws including UL, cUL and
CCC.
The power supply itself does not contribute any audio
properties - it is the modifications made to our range of
products that has made it possible to successfully use low
carbon switched-mode power.
Our investigations, which started in 2006, into making
highly sensitive audio circuits successfully work on
switched-mode power have led to a greater understanding on
how to obtain a great sound from our phono stage preamps
and headphone amplifiers. Even our highly sensitive moving
coil phono stage preamps, the Gram Amp 2 Fanfare, the
Reflex and the Revelation C, and the Elevator EXP flat gain
moving coil step-up amplifier work without problem and
deliver the sort of performance the Graham Slee name is
famous for.
As with all our products, the owner requiring a no
compromise all-out musical performance, can upgrade to the
Graham Slee PSU1 power supply, although, because it is
linear, it is not as efficient and therefore not as carbon
friendly.
The "Green" power supply is self adjusting to mains
voltages around the world and supplied with the appropriate
plug-head to fit UK, European, Australian or US power
outlets.
Its efficiency is due to it operating at an ultrasonic
frequency instead of the mains frequency. This means it can
use a tiny transformer for a similar amount of power as a
much larger conventional transformer.
They produce a very quiet whining noise instead of the buzz
you hear close up to a conventional transformer, which
although won't be heard normally, may be sensed in a very
silent room. However, those seeking a no compromise power
supply, will choose our PSU1.
The "Green" power supply along with some of our earlier
linear plug-top power supplies are the only products in our
range not manufactured by us.
Headphone
Amplifiers
Solo
SRG II Headphone Amplifier
£369 (£510 with PSU1)
The
latest edition of our flagship Solo headphone amplifier -
the SRGII (Studio Reference Green MK II) puts a real life
force behind the music.
The
Solo SRG II headphone amplifier combines conventional
negative feedback with line driver load sensing to exert
greater control over your headphones where it is needed.
It
therefore reduces or eliminates altogether the comb-filter
effect most headphone impedance curves exhibit in the upper
midrange and treble frequencies. It also ensures correct
matching with the widest range of headphones and overcomes
cable capacitance and inductance problems which could
otherwise strip the music of its airy qualities and sound
staging. The Solo SRG II headphone amplifier does
everything better as well as giving a more weighty bass.
The
Solo SRG II headphone amplifier has two line level inputs
and a front panel input selector with centre off. It is
housed in a strong anodized aluminium eurocard style
enclosure. The volume control also acts as sensitivity
adjuster and therefore the full rotation can be used (see
further explanation below). The Solo SRG II headphone
amplifier is suitable for use with headphone impedances
from 16 Ohms to 600 Ohms.
Headphone
Matching, Suitability and Volume Control Settings
The
Solo SRG II is designed to work, and self adjust, on two
different input levels (in either switch position): 1]
professional (unbalanced) 0dB: 775mV, where its output is
to drive 600 Ohm headphones for certain studio
applications, and 2] domestic -10dB (DIN): 250mV, where its
output is to drive 32 Ohm headphones. In either mode of use
it will return virtually identical output power as well as
similar sound pressure levels with identical headphone
sensitivities.
In
typical usage however, it will be used with different
headphone impedances in the range 16 - 600 Ohms,
having quite different headphone sensitivities (SPL), and
input levels between 250mV and 1V. This gives a number of
permutations which could not be covered with a gain setting
switch, and instead, the Solo SRG II uses a combination of
IEC/DIN 61945 headphone amplifier output "matching system"
with an accurate Alps volume control which is used over its
entire range to accommodate such widely differing
conditions of use.
As
such the user may find the ideal volume control position
required for his/her listening tastes considerably
different to that of a hi-fi amplifier. The left-right
track matching of the volume control is adjusted by Alps,
its manufacturer, for best channel balance between its 9
o'clock and 3 o'clock settings and as such when set for
zero volume some residual signal may be heard on one
channel and not the other - this is normal and part of the
volume control design.
Novo
Discrete Solid-State Headphone Amplifier
£250
Award
winning discrete transistor headphone amplifier.
The
Novo headphone amplifier beat the similarly priced Lehmann
Rhinelander, Creek OBH-21SE and Project Headbox SEII
headphone amplifiers in the April 2009 What Hi-Fi? Sound
and Vision Group Test..
Not
only would you expect such a great sounding headphone
amplifier to cost considerably more, you'd think a discrete
transistor headphone amp should be in the highest echelons
of price! But as many more people are finding from Graham
Slee, good old down to earth honesty is the name of the
game.
The
Novo headphone amplifier has a single chained phono (RCA)
jack input allowing you to drive it from your favourite
music source and then run another interconnect on to your
main amplifier. It can also be fed from a preamp output or
recording output.
Dynamic
headphones of between 16 Ohms and 600 Ohms are driven to
similar volume levels and the full rotation of the volume
control can be used to make up for differences in headphone
sensitivities.
With
very sensitive headphones the Novo headphone amplifier
volume control should be used with care to avoid hearing
damage.
Voyager Portable Headphone Amplifier
£189
The shirt/blouse pocket sized Voyager portable headphone
amplifier makes music on the move a whole new experience.
Capable of projecting an airy musical outside your head
performance using good headphones the Voyager portable
headphone amplifier can even make cheap headphones sound
good: its contour switch compensates for the limited tonal
range of lightweight street-wear headphones making them
sound like real hi-fi headphones. From the moment of your
first listen you will never want to travel without it.
Running on a single 9 volt "E-cell", the Voyager portable
headphone amplifier has a long battery life: usually
lasting a month of average usage at good volume levels -
and on occasion 3 months! This is because it uses a low
loss battery polarity-protection system leaving more power
for your music. When at home or at work it can borrow power
from your computer USB port* or be powered from its mains
adapter (supplied). Laptop users on the move can also make
use of the USB* power facility, thus preserving battery
power.
Rechargeable 9 volt batteries charged on a separate charger
may also be used.
The Voyager portable headphone amplifier uses noiseless DC
to DC conversion to increase the 5 volt USB voltage to 9
volts ensuring no loss of level when powered from USB.
Stereo input and headphone output are on high quality Jalco
3.5mm jacks. The volume control is a high quality all metal
Alps miniature "velvet" potentiometer of similar
construction to the Alps AC27/30 often found on really
expensive amplifiers, but a whole lot smaller. Switches are
also by Alps - known for their precision. A clear low noise
red LED warns you when the Voyager is switched on, helping
you to conserve battery power.
The Voyager portable headphone amplifier case is made of
durable precision machined textured ABS, featuring a black
and silver anodised aluminium fascia plate carrying the
necessary functional markings. A clip on cover securely
holds the battery within its hard wearing foam lining.
Each Voyager portable headphone amplifier is individually
hand built in Britain by time served engineers and fully
specification tested to ensure perfect operation. The
circuit uses conventional through-hole non-surface mount
components to help achieve its excellent and airy sound
quality making it unique amongst miniature headphone
amplifiers.
