GRAHAM SLEE Gram Amp3 Fanfare MC phono preamp

The Graham Slee Gram Amp 3 Fanfare phono preamplifier is the most recent iteration of the brand’s loss leader product, designed to meet the needs of owners of midrange MC Hi-Fi cartridges.

Graham Slee Gram Amp3 Fanfare: design

This phono preamplifier consists of a small, conventional aluminium box around 10cm long.

The front panel is very basic, bearing just the elegant company logo and an LED light to indicate when it is switched on. The rear panel features two gold-plated RCA sockets (input and output) and a female socket for connecting the preamp to an outboard power supply.

The Graham Slee Gram Amp 3 Fanfare is driven by a small 24V ‘green power’ DC power supply. And if you're looking to improve sound quality by upgrading at a later date, the Graham Slee PSU1 power supply makes for a good replacement.

The internal circuit has also been reworked to reduce sensitivity to electromagnetic interference and high frequencies.

Graham Slee Gram Amp3 Fanfare: listening and review

The sound quality is rhythmic and full of life – we don’t have a bad word to say about it! The Graham Slee Gram Amp 3 Fanfare phono stage plays your favourite music with precision, good spirit and realism.

The timbre is on point and the sound stage is wide and deep. It works wonders on live recordings and orchestral music. The bass is excellent and brings out the best in reggae, dub and electronica in particular, as well as in music that features a real double bass!

The midrange is present and highly detailed, and the treble is open and precise, without a hint of aggressiveness.

It can't be denied that the Graham Slee Gram Amp 3 Fanfare phono preamplifier isn’t quite as strong as its big brother, the Graham Slee Reflex C phono preamp. But at under €500, it’s a serious competitor – and has proven it should be treated as such!

Highly recommended.