Headphone amplifier Graham Slee Solo SRG II
The tiny British firm Graham Slee specializes exclusively in compact audio equipment and produces an enviable variety of different phono stages, table and telephone amplifiers in the budget and mid-priced. Solo SRG II - the top model in its series. It is equipped with an improved 24-volt external power supply unit, which, as described, free from the traditional loss rectification stage and therefore does not introduce switching noise. Himself Solo different digital input on the low-noise field workers and an output stage capable of operating over a wide load range (from 8 to 2000 ohms) - it introduced a circuit that creates the proper balance of the output voltage and current. Therefore, the amplifier output to the phones in just one, but universal. There are also two entrances, three-position toggle switch on the front panel, which serves as a selector (middle position - Mute), and a potentiometer to adjust the volume. Made machine unpretentious, but very high quality - the body is cut durable aluminum profile, which fastened the front and rear walls.
Listening with headphones Audez'e LCD-2. The bass pattern is smoothed, but it is clearly seen and fast midbass component, and "seismic" subsonic. Middle register at first seem to be poor at the voices and even slightly sunken in response relative to the whole band, but all the same information content is very high. British power so cleverly selects all the details and Circuits that even do not have to listen. In this regard, I note only that it is good when listening to audiophile programs. Then indeed you feel as if you're dealing with the most meticulous studio technology. A reproduction of records, standard, some depressing their slovenliness and without confusion - especially in low middle voice register. In addition, Solo few zooms spatial images, gives tutti, slightly creaking "teeth", and does not have sufficient reserve gain. If your phone sensitivity is lower than the test Audez'e, this amp will seem not loud enough.
Listening with headphones Sennheiser HD 800. For "eight hundred" British power, it seems, is rather weak. Sometimes you want to add volume, and nowhere - you can tighten knob to maximum, but will become noticeable distortion. But the sound is extremely detailed. Mid so plentiful on the nuances that sometimes it even seems shrill and trebles - cold. In this case, the bass already does not have the density and fat content, which showed the power when working with American Stereophones. And there is no sagging in the above-mentioned low middle lane. Still, with a high-impedance phones "Briton" get along better. It is felt by the abundance of tonal colors, and the sound stage, in which each image is focused exceptionally well.
