Most
reviewed and recommended...
Phono Stage/Preamp:
Gram Amp 2 Special Edition
A phono stage/preamp for moving magnet, high output moving coil and moving
iron phono cartridges.
"I can't think of any other phono stage anywhere near its price that can
match the 2 SE's clear, taut, and dynamic bass response, nor approach its
high frequency clarity and resolution."
[Stereo Times,
May 2007]
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. However, it can be used with all moving magnet, moving
iron and high output moving coil cartridges.
We will let the reviewers tell you how good it is...
"The Gram Amp 2 SE offers exceptionally good value with its clean,
detailed, dynamic and completely grain-free presentation"
[Six
Moons,
April 2005]
"...the music the Gram Amp 2 SE produced was very well tonally balanced.
It was easy to listen to but also imparted excitement without edginess.
Amazingly, when partnered with quite expensive front-ends and 'speakers, the
Gram SE was not left wanting, it just played highly enjoyable music."
[TNT
Audio,
May 2002]
"This product is an easy recommend. It works very well, and it does so
beyond what you might expect at the price"
[EnjoyTheMusic.com,
April 2002]
"...all the earmarks of a giant killer...the more you listen to this
thing on its own, the more you'll discover that you can play it for hours
without fatigue...the presentation had a rare top to bottom cohesiveness,
with a tonal balance unusually rich, lush, and, well, beautiful...It's love
at first sound between the Gram Amp and vocalists, while violins are marvelously silken..."
[Absolute Sound (print magazine), Feb/March 2002]
"...they'll be amazed by its sound...the Gram delivered genuine solidity
in the mid-band and mid-bass. It was quiet, and free from the thinness,
edge, and grain you usually get at this price..."
[Stereophile (print magazine),
June 2002]
Recommendations
2007 Editors Choice Awards: The Absolute Sound - October 2007
Editors Choice - Best Buy phono preamplifier: The Absolute Sound - Issue 144
October/November 2003
Recommended System Component: Stereophile October 2003
Recommended System Component: Stereophile April 2003
Recommended Best Buy: The Absolute Sound Dec 2002/Jan2003
Recommended System Component: Stereophile October 2002
Recommended Best Buy: The Absolute Sound Oct/Nov 2002
Power Supply
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.
Specifications
Input range: 2mV - 10mV rms
Output range (for above inputs): 224mV to 1120mV rms
Gain: 41dB (Av 112) ref
1kHz
Phase margin: 90 degrees
Maximum input level: 41mV (ref: 1 kHz)
Input impedance resistive: 47k Ohms
Input impedance capacitive: 100pF
Output noise: (CCIR Q-Pk 22Hz-22 kHz) -74dB
Equivalent Input Noise (EIN) -115dB
Reproduction characteristic: RIAA within 0.5dB total deviation 20Hz-20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion plus noise measured at 80Hz, 1kHz, 5.6 kHz and 16
kHz: <0.05% (typically <0.015% at 1 kHz)
Channel balance: 0.1dB
Channel separation: 64dB
Prices
£195.00 supplied with SMPS power supply. Prices in GBP (pounds sterling) ex VAT/GST
