Graham Slee Elevator XP MC>MM priešstiprintuvis

The Elevator EXP Pre Preamplifier (shown here with a Reflex M phono stage) preamplifies the signal from a conventional output moving coil phono cartridge to moving magnet cartridge sensitivity. The signal is then fed to a moving magnet phono stage.

It's better than a step up transformer because noise cannot be induced into it, and it's far more linear making for a better bass response.

It's the electronic equivalent of a moving coil step up transformer, or as moving coil enthusiasts abbreviate it: SUT. However, a step up transformer easily picks up hum and electrical disturbances — it also consumes some of the delicate signal current to magnetize its core. What's so bad about that? Read on.

There would be nothing wrong at all if moving coil cartridges put out a flat frequency response, but being magnetic, they have a rising output - they output 100 times more 20kHz treble than they do 20Hz bass. That makes transformer design difficult — it's never going to perform at its best.

Enter the electronic solution - the Elevator EXP. It uses a technique from our Ultra-Linear "toolbox" - this time as extended open-loop frequency response, and that's something usually only available with tube amplification, but tubes can't do such low level signals.

Therefore it's hardly surprising that it does the tube sound, but without all the problems you get with tubes — it's an excellent addition for a tube phono preamp to be able to use moving coil.

But use the Elevator EXP with one of our great moving magnet phono stages and you're in for a treat! We recommend you use it with our Reflex M, Revelation M or Era Gold V phono preamps — and so do a number of reviewers!

The Elevator EXP also features 7 different preset cartridge load impedances easily selected on the front panel.

Features

• Seven different preset cartridge load impedances at your fingertips - no fiddly adjustments!
• Tube like extended open-loop frequency response from our Ultra-Linear "toolbox"
• Inherent reduced vinyl click and pop characteristic
• Rock steady sound stage and truly 3D performance
• Solid-state reliability

Specification

Input range: 0.15mV to 0.8mV
Output (for input range): 2mV to 10mV, suitable for a moving magnet phono stage input.
Maximum input: 378mV rms (an incredibly large overload margin!)
Maximum output: 4.914V rms
Gain: 22dB (13) <10Hz to 917kHz (-3dB points)
Input impedance: 23, 30, 100, 840, 1000, 5100 and 47000 Ohms
Output (driving/source) impedance: 300 Ohm
Recommended load impedance: 47k Ohms phono stage preamp input
Noise at output: -99dB CCIR Q-pk
Distortion: 0.02%
Frequency response: <10Hz to 917kHz (-3dB points)
Channel balance: 0.2dB
Channel separation: 64dB
Size: (approx.) W: 107 x H: 50 x D: 180 (mm) inc. jacks
Specifications subject to alteration without notice in keeping with our continuous improvement policy.

Media Reviews

"OK I'm going to nail my colours to the mast... Lucio has banned us from saying "best I've ever heard" "never heard anything as good" etc as it begs the question "compared to what?" and is often meaningless hype. But here 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, July 2002]

"...it was among the most well-balanced phono preamps I've heard of any technology at any price. It got out of the way and let the music do the talking with great clarity and definition"

(using the Elevator EXP as a front end system in conjunction with a MM phono stage)

[Michael Fremer, Analog Corner, Stereophile, September 2007]

"...the Slee provides better and more natural dynamics. The leading edges of notes are sharper, crisper and more 'real'... the Slee provides better focus along with a deeper and wider soundstage. Though some may say the sound is more 'clinical' than a step up, I'd term it as more transparent. On the best recordings, you really do get the sense of 'being there'. Once you experience this sense, it is unmistakable and something that follows you around to every system you will ever experience."

(using the Elevator EXP as a front end system in conjunction with a MM phono stage)

[Scott Faller, "Vinylly Yours Virtually", EnjoyTheMusic.com, February 2010]

"...the real steal is undoubtedly the Graham Slee combination.

[Roy Gregory, Graham Slee Revelation, Hi-Fi+, May 2008]

"...you obviously will need a step up transformer or head amp of some sort. I've got an old Signet MK12T (Audio Technica) that I use on occasion. It sounds fairly decent and is supposed to have some cool iron in it. In this case after flipping back and forth between it and my Graham Slee Elevator, the choice was more than obvious. The Slee it was."

[Scott Faller - EnjoytheMusic.com: Yamamoto Sound Craft YC-03s Moving Coil Cartridge - 2009]

Hi-Fi News 2005 Award for best phono stage: Elevator EXP plus Era Gold VThe Elevator EXP along with our Era Gold V was Hi-Fi News 2005 award winner