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Graham Slee Phono Preamplifier Stage:
Era Gold V

Moving-magnet and high output moving-coil cartridge sensitivity, RIAA phono preamplifier stage

A phono-stage for experienced vinyl enthusiasts ...more

When Michael Fremer (USA) heard the Era Gold V phono preamp in 2004 he proclaimed its miracle status there and then!

"Given its price and its miraculous - and this agnostic means miraculous - performance. I recommend the GSP Audio 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 Fremer, Analogue Corner, Stereophile, January 2004

Since then the Era Gold V phono preamp has been a "class-A $$$" recommended system component in Stereophile, making its fourth appearance in 2007 - its 4th year! Few products make it this far. Michael Fremer repeated his recommendation in September 2007's Stereophile

The very first review of the Era Gold/EXP in 2002

"The Era Gold + Elevator EXP is the best phono combination for MC's I've ever heard - period..."

Against the Korato Reference valve stage, the Roksan Reference (1500e+), Black Cube SE (800e), and the phono stage of the Audion valve pre-amp (2500e) "the Gold had it by a head"

Geoff Husband, TNT Audio, July 2002 ...more

The Era Gold V phono-stage is a moving-magnet/high-output moving-coil RIAA equalisation phono preamplifier. For low output moving coil compatibility it should be used with the Elevator EXP head amp which steps-up the output of a moving coil phono cartridge to moving magnet level

Still out in-front in 2005...

"Compared to the nine other phono sections I had available, the Graham Slee Era and Elevator matched them in timing, rhythm, and in laying bare the fundamental structures and meaning of music. The duo proved superior in offering a higher overall degree of clarity and resolution."

Paul Szabady, Stereo Times, October 2005 ...more

MC compatibility?

To use the Era Gold V phono-stage preamp with a conventional (low output) moving coil pick-up cartridge, the Elevator EXP head amplifier (featured in some of these reviews) is required. Read more by clicking here

Price

Era Gold V Phono Preamplifier Stage (includes PSU1 power supply)
924.90 USD
480.00 GBP

"Intro" low-cost entry version (includes plug-top power supply)
N/A USD
338.49 GBP

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Hi-Fi News Award winner 2004 and 2005

"...the GSP Audio Era Gold/Elevator EXP pair rates as one of the finest moving-coil phono stages I've used and earns a hearty approval for record junkies who want to hear of what's really in the vinyl groove"

Andrew Harrison, HI-Fi News, November 2004

"Eric Clapton's Unplugged set is a great recording and the Era Gold's combination of dynamics and detail leaves the listener in no doubt about that fact. It has the precision to impress with pin-point stereo imaging and reproduces instruments with convincing scale, while Clapton's vocals lack nothing in articulation or emotion.
Such skill is usually only found in products that cost twice this price. Spin something harder hitting such as Nirvana's Nevermind and the Era Gold continues to shine. Its speed and wide ranging dynamics keep the fun factor sky-high without a hint of sacrifice when it comes to refinement and composure. Such is the grip on the music that individual instrumentation strands remain easy to follow even as musical complexity grows"

What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Ultimate Guides, 2004

"The bass response is excellent and is easily the best of the MM bunch, with tactile and forceful drum representation which really sounds like a stick hitting a tight membrane. The deep bass lacks overhang and is well timed and avoids any one note tendancy. This phono-stage had a free and unrestricted sound which is clear and lucid, allowing instruments to have a real reach out and touch sound with all harmonics present and correct. Vocals stand clear of the mix and like the instruments are very realistic. When required the Era Gold really allows the emotion through"

Jason Hector, Vinyl Survival, Hi-Fi +, July/August 2003

Five Stars and now Six Moons!...

"...I would save my pennies for an Era Gold V and call it a day."

Paul Candy, Six Moons, April 2005

online review page 1 | page 2 (Review is on two pages) | printable PDF (633KB)

A phono preamplifier stage for the experienced vinyl enthusiast

The Era Gold V, with or without the Elevator EXP head amp, is a phono preamplifier stage for the experienced vinyl enthusiast. When set-up properly it will do the same wonders for the user as it did for these reviewers.

Set-up is about positioning - positioning away from potential interference such as other equipment that has big transformers, or equipment that emits radio frequency or digital interference, or metallic furnishings that can reflect airborne interference for example. Its power supply should be placed well away from the turntable, the Era Gold V, and signal interconnect cables. Mains power, DC power and signal interconnects should be separated so they do not interfere with each other by coupling effects that happen between wires in close proximity - dressing cables correctly can make all the difference.

Set-up is also about "burn-in" time - the Era Gold V has many "highly-strung" components which need time to settle - it is advisable to power the Era Gold V constantly and for this reason it is supplied (like many pieces of equipment we do) without a power switch. During this settling time its sound can change a number of times - like good mathematical iteration it will "home-in" to its final sensational Sonics over a period of weeks.

All signal interconnects should be fully shielded and it is advisable to plug its power supply directly to the mains electricity supply, instead of via a power conditioner.

Phono cartridge compatibility

The Era Gold V phono preamplifier stage is designed for phono cartridges of the moving-magnet or high-output moving-coil categories. These cartridges have medium to high outputs in the range 2-10 milli-volts. They also require an input impedance of 47 k ohms. If a low or "conventional" output moving-coil phono cartridge is to be used - outputs in the range 0.2 to 0.8 mV - then the Elevator EXP head amplifier will be required to step-up the cartridge output to the level expected by the Era Gold V.

System compatibility

The Era Gold V will output sufficient drive for most line-preamps or integrated amplifiers, their volume control positions being dependant on the output of the phono cartridge being used. Lower output cartridges will result in a higher volume control setting than if a higher output cartridge is used.

The Era Gold V phono preamplifier stage uses wide-bandwidth solid state techniques pioneered by Graham Slee to give precise stereo imaging and a well-separated sound stage in which different instruments and performers are easily distinguishable. It is advisable to partner it with system equipment and interconnects that are also capable of wide-bandwidth performance.

Specification

Nominal Input sensitivity: 4mV rms
Maximum input: 45mV rms
Nominal output: 472mV rms
Maximum output: 5.3V rms
Gain: 41.5dB (120)
Input resistance: 47kOhms
Input capacitance: 100pF
Output will drive: >600Ohms
Noise: -68dB CCIR
Distortion: 0.02%
RIAA accuracy: <0.5dB
Frequency response: 5Hz - 2.7MHz (-3dB)
Channel balance: 0.2dB
Channel separation: 64dB

GRAHAM SLEE PROJECTS LIMITED
1 Monks Way, Monk Bretton, Barnsley, S71 2JD
United Kingdom

Telephone
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