van den Hul - Grail SE

Latest flagship RIAA phono stage from legendary designer A.J. van den Hul, a fully balanced, dual mono, discrete higher tolerance part specifications, regulated dual mono type linear power supply version.

Product Specifications:

Inputs: Three unbalanced on RCA jacks, three balanced on XLR jacks (one mc, one mm, one switchable between mm and mc)
Outputs: Unbalanced on RCA jacks, balanced on XLR
Gain: 33, 41, 47, 50dB (mm); 56, 64, 70, 73dB (mc)
Loading settings: 47k (mm); 40–400 ohms (mc)
Signal-to-noise ratio: >70dB
Dimensions: 475mm x 95mm x 335mm (not including power supply)
Weight: 43 lbs.

THE ABSOLUTE SOUND REVIEW BY JACOB HEILBRUNN

“Reproducing a big band at full tilt is a really tough job, not least because the sound can often become shrill, even on modern recordings. But on the Colfax pressing, the backing trumpet section came blazing out of the speakers smoothly, yet with impressive alacrity and punch. It almost goes without saying that these venerable recordings do have sonic limitations, but it was instructive to hear how tight Rushing’s band was on numbers like “’Tain’t Nobody’s Biz-ness If I Do.” For any souls who happened to stray into my listening room, this album served, more often than not, as proof positive of the virtues of the Grail. This was goosebump territory.”