Amps

The Gram Amp 3 Fanfare is a complete phono preamp for low-output MC cartridges with 0.2 - 1.0mV output.

It's always been Graham Slee's preferred method to pre-pre-amplify the tiny output of a low output moving coil cartridge and then apply it to the input of a moving magnet RIAA phono preamp. This makes perfect sense because there are precious few ways of providing the 60dB plus of gain required, with low noise, low distortion and the level of performance to capture recorded fidelity in the grooves.

The Gram Amp 3 Fanfare uses studio tape head preamp technology to bring you extreme fidelity captured in the groove. Because of Graham Slee's wide-band design capabilities they are able to utilize op-amp characteristics that are beyond current hi-fi understanding, so, at last, your moving coil cartridge can deliver its full glory. The Fanfare is not limited by the slow low noise techniques that bedevil competing moving coil amplification, and as such it will deliver real musicality while at the same time having a perceived noise floor lower than many moving magnet designs.

Single-minded optimization leads to superior results
Unfortunately the industry has been pushing the concept that one circuit can be optimized to do the two jobs of moving magnet and moving coil pre-amplification at the flick of a switch. If science were that easy then Michael Shumaker could win - at the flick of a switch - Formula 1 in the car he drives to the track in!

At the same time you are told that hi-fi separates are the only way to go for the performance you're after. Isn't it time for the hi-fi salesman to make his mind up?

The truth is that one amplifier stage can only be optimized for one narrow range of gains hence the negative feedback argument used to explain why one amplifier sounds better than another. With 20dB difference between low output moving coil and high output moving magnet, it is immediately apparent that the universal phono stage is going to let you down on one of its settings. That's usually the moving magnet one, so why bother spending over the odds for something that's going to end in disappointment?

That is why the Gram Amp 3 Fanfare is dedicated to low output moving coil and our similar looking Gram Amp 2 Special Edition is dedicated to the higher output moving magnets and high output moving coils. When you look at the prices of these two units, it is obviously cost effective to opt for one or the other, or even to buy both if you're going to be using both high and low output cartridges. You will end up paying a tiny bit more for a great deal more in musical performance.

Technology
The input impedance of the Gram Amp 3 Fanfare is fixed at 470 ohms which was found to present the optimum load for the vast majority of moving coil cartridges.

The source impedance of a low output moving coil is around 10 ohms and a load greater than 200 ohms is needed so as not to noticeably load its output. Moving coil cartridge loading is like speaker damping factor in reverse. Too much load has the effect of limiting the mechanical dynamics of the stylus. It is very much like an electricity generator. Anyone observing a fairground generator truck knows that the engine note goes low as the load of the ride is applied. By the same virtue, the stylus is stiffened against the groove with too much load (too low a resistance) which will not only compress the dynamics but also introduce distortion to the peaks. Therefore a slightly higher than recommended 470 ohms brings a beneficial effect to dynamism.

Graham Slee Gram Amp 3 Fanfare MC Phono Preamp Specifications
- Input sensitivity range: 0.2 - 1.0mV
- Maximum input: 4.4mV
- Output from above inputs: 238 - 1190mV rms
- Maximum output: 5.3 V rms
- Gain: 61.5dB (1190mV)
- Input resistance: 470 ohms
- Input capacitance: 100pf
- Noise: -63dB CCIR q pk 20Hz - 20kHz
- Distortion: 0.03%
- RIAA accuracy: 0.5dB
- Frequency response: 19Hz -150kHz
- Channel balance: 0.2dB
- Channel separation: 64dB
- Dimensions (mm): 71"w x 72"h x 118"d

Warranty
Should this product fail while being used for its intended purpose, within one year of purchase, we will repair or replace it at our discretion. Please contact LP Tunes for details. No other liability will be accepted. Your statutory rights are not affected.

Manufacturer
Graham Slee Projects Limited
1 Monks Way, Monk Bretton, Barnsley, S71 2JD, United Kingdom
+44(0)1226 244908 Tel/Fax
gsp.ltd@gspaudio.co.uk email
http://www.gspaudio.co.uk website

The new NOVA II phono preamp raises the standard and scale of the Nova Phonomena, a multi-award recipient and The Absolute Sound Editors' Choice Award in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013. It offers outstanding grace, poise, low noise, and neutrality. For optimization of sound quality, the Nova II includes extensive options for fine-tuning the loading and gain of both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges.

Built in California, the Musical Surroundings Nova II is a battery powered phono stage with incredible flexibility and performance. Based on the new discrete, dual mono circuit innovatively developed by designer Michael Yee, the NovaII phono preamp has rear panel accessible switches for gain and loading. It features state-of-the-art rechargeable internal NiMH battery technology to allow large energy storage and short recharge period. All AC and charging circuits automatically disconnect when listening in battery mode. A three-way button on the front panel is used to switch between power supply states with status LEDs for changing mode.

The Musical Surroundings Nova II is a complete phonograph preamplifier with RIAA equalization that amplifies the output signal of a phono cartridge, either moving coil or moving magnet, up to a nominal "line level". The Nova II may be used with a receiver or an integrated amplifier. If you use separate components, a line level control unit (preamp) is required before the power amp, since there is no independent volume control for the Nova Phonomena. The Nova's power supply is internal and connnects to the wall with the supplied wall mount transformer.

Nova II Phono Preamp Specifications
- Gain switches: 40, 44, 46, 48, 50, 51.5, 52.7, 53.7, 56, 57.5, 58.4, 59.4, 60dB
- Input loading switches: 200 pF/300 pF, 30, 40, 50, 59, 80, 100, 121, 150, 243, 280, 380, 475, 660, 1k, 2k, 50k, 100k ohms discrete, dual mono circuitry
- Dimensions: 10"w x 10.5"d x 2.5"h
- Weight: 5 lbs.
- Power supply adapter: 24 V, 100 - 240 VAC, 50-60 Hz, 0.3 A
- Warranty: 3 years

Reviews
"What do you say about a product which you've already given a Golden Ear award when it is improved and it's price is dropped? ...this Nova remains, without apology or serious qualification, my new (affordable) reference - and very satisfyingly so." - Paul Seydor, The Absolute Sound, June/July 2007, Issue 172

Awards
Recipient of Audiophilia Star Component Award

The Graham Slee Jazz Club phono preamplifier stage allows you to restore the original tonal balance of older records (78's, early LP's and singles) and provides the highest fidelity reproduction of modern vinyl records. Because it uses the Era Gold Mk V board, supreme musicality is assured with records old or new.

Originally reviewed in Stereophile June 2002 and subsequently awarded Class B Recommended Component rating by Stereophile, the Jazz Club was found by Michael Fremer to offer an outstanding sound as a standard MM/RIAA phono section with the added EQ flexibility. Since its review, the Jazz Club has been upgraded to the new Era Gold Mk V main board which gives it an even loftier performance. See the review of the Jazz Club by TNT-Audio Magazine.

The Jazz Club is the record listener's phono preamp because it brings real music to life. It also requires patience. It requires 2 - 3 weeks of actual use before it will let you experience its grandeur. Afterwards, the Jazz Club becomes a musical treasure for all of your records.

LP's and singles
- Switch positions: Equalise
- 250/13.7: Early FFRR (pre '53)
- 500/11: FFRR (Decca/London). MGM, EMI, HMV, RCA, Victor, English Columbia
- 500/13.7: 240mV - 1.08V
- 500/16: 26dB ref 2mV input

78's
- Switch positions: Equalise
- 250/0: Columbia (English), EMI, HMV
- 250/5: Columbia (American 1925>), FFRR, Victor (1925> - some)
- 250/16: Columbia (American 1938>)
- 375/5: Victor (1925> - some)
- 375/11: Capitol, Early Decca, Mercury
- 500/0: Brunswick, Parlophone
- 500/S: Victor (1925> - some, and 1938-47)
- 500/11: MGM, Victor (1947>)

Graham Slee Jazz Club Phono Preamp Specifications
- Input sensitivity: 2mV - 9 mV (4 nominal)
- Maximum input: 45mV rms
- Nominal output: 472mV rms
- Maximum output: 5.3 V rms
- Gain: 41.5dB (118)
- Input resistance: 47k ohms
- Input capacitance: 100pf
- Noise: -68 dB CCIR q pk 20Hz - 20kHz
- Distortion: 0.02%
- RIAA accuracy: 0.5dB
- Frequency response: 5Hz - 150kHz
- Channel balance: 0.2dB
- Channel separation: 64dB
- Dimensions (mm): 117w x 50h x 170d

Warranty
Should this product fail while being used for its intended purpose, within one year of purchase, we will repair or replace it at our discretion. Please contact LP Tunes for details. No other liability will be accepted. Your statutory rights are not affected.

Manufacturer
Graham Slee Projects Limited
1 Monks Way, Monk Bretton, Barnsley, S71 2JD, United Kingdom
+44(0)1226 244908 Tel/Fax
gsp.ltd@gspaudio.co.uk email
http://www.gspaudio.co.uk website