TURNTABLES: PHONO STAGES: GRAHAM SLEE ERA GOLD V

Graham Slee Era Gold V - £480, free delivery

The Graham Slee Era Gold phono preamp is quite unlike any other phono stage. It throws current thinking (in solid state versus valve arguments) to the wind and concentrates on the one and only important task, reproducing music the way it sounds. Specifically developed for high quality moving magnet, moving iron and high output moving coil cartridges; the Graham Slee Era Gold produces a sound that enthralls the listener with its crystal clarity and tonal precision.

With the Era Gold phono pre amp, bass plumbs the depths but is not overblown and detail is carried to communicate the true character of real bass. Mid range has the transparency and openness to deliver both the complexity or simplicity of a performance with unbelievable presence. Reproduction of highs have such reality that each harmonic identifies the true character (timbre) of the instrument and ambiance of venue, to capture the ethereality and ephemerality of the moment. The Era Gold pre amp incorporates a cutter head 'knee' and low input capacitance to compensate for groove and cartridge phase displacement, thereby restoring harmonic information. Phase error is virtually non-existent due to an extremely wide and stable 2.7Mhz bandwidth. Dual regulator power filtration is afforded through a PSU1 24 watt peak capacity power supply and the Era Gold built-in regulator system.

OUR COMMENTS: The Graham Slee Era Gold V phono pre amplifier requires a burn in period of at least 2 weeks from new to achieve its best performance.

Technical Specifications:

Nominal Input sensitivity : 4mV
Input range : 2mV - 10mV
Input Impedance : 47k & 100pF
Maximum input : 45mV rms (ref 1kHz)
Gain : 41.5dB
output : 480mV
Maximum output : 5.3V rms
Output will drive : 600 Ohms
Output noise : (CCIR* q-pk 20Hz-20kHz). -68dB
Distortion : <0.02%
RIAA accuracy : 0.25dB
Bandwidth : 5Hz - 2.7MHz
Reproduction curve : RIAA with 50kHz EQ
Channel balance : 0.2dB
Channel separation : 64dB
Phono connectors : Heavy Gold Plated/teflon insulated
Mains Voltage : UK 200-250V ac 50/60Hz
Size (approx.) : 116 175 x 49 (mm) inc feet
*A wtd. Noise is approximately 10dB better

Reviews:

-"Finally there's the issue of run-in and warm up as these units need to be left on continuously (7 watts power consumption - HIAudio) and used regularly! With those practical points in mind The Graham Slee Era Gold / Elevator EXP pair rates as one of the finest moving coil stages I've used and earns a hearty approval for record junkies who want to hear more of what's in the vinyl groove." Andrew Harrison, Hi Fi News November 2004

"This is evident by the Era Gold Vs mastery at reproducing the music with such scale that even the most complex music never catches it out. My reference record deck displayed such a grip of the music that it was almost frightening at times. I can give this RIAA a recommendation of the highest order with absolute confidence. In my opinion this is probably one of the best RIAAs in the world." Stewart Wennan, Hi-Fi World August 2004

"... the Era Gold is ordinary to look at (no Longer - HIAudio) - however, sonic performance comes first and that's one area where the GSP Audio doesn't need lessons It's moving magnet only, but with such cartridges its deliver a killer performance that no price comparable rival can match. That's why it comes our winner"
What Hi Fi? Sound and Vision February 2004

"But you wont buy this for its looks. Given its price and its miraculous - and this agnostic means miraculous - performance, I recommend the Graham Slee Era Gold Mk.V as enthusiastically, if not more so, as I've recommended any product I've reviewed and recommended in all the years I've been doing this."
Michael Framer, Stereophile? January 2004

"If you are in the market for a serious phono-stage for MM or high output MC then the GSP Audio Era Gold will be the one the others have to beat. It is so good that you might even start doubting the need for MC at all."
Jason Hector, Hi-Fi +

"...I've listed the runners and riders, added the caveat "in my system and room" and finally "to my ears", so here goes. The Era Gold + Elevator EXP is the best phono combination for MC's I've ever heard - period..."
Geoff Husband, TNT-Audio

Recent Awards From Around the World:

Hi Fi News Awards 2004
Hi Fi News Awards 2005
HiFiWorld Awards 2004

Manufacturer: Graham Slee (G.S.P.)

Links: www.hiaudio.co.uk

Warranty: 2 years