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Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $480.00 from E-Bay

Summary:
So the GTA SEP-1 is not an ARC LS2B and the parent company went belly up some time ago, but I think this unit has been unfairly trashed by past reviews. I bought this NOS on E-Bay and so far I've been really happy with it. I've found none of the problems encountered by other users. I replaced the installed 6922 with a goldpin Tesla and after attaching a PS Audio X-Stream XLR cable to the balanced inputs on my AE-25 amp, the sound is wonderful: great soundstage, pinpoint focus of instruments with neutral and natural uncolored sound. When I switch the inputs to the Parasound monoblocks, the SEP-1 takes some of the harsh edges off the solid state sound. (Because my tubed amp generates enough heat to warm a room all by itself, I run my ss amps during the summer.) Anyway I wanted to set the record straight for those thinking of purchasing a used SEP-1 that it's a great way to get a quality tubed preamp and not pay an outrageous price.

Strengths:
Neutral uncolored sound. Easy and economical to replace the one 6922 tube. Balanced outputs. Good build quality.

Weaknesses:
Poor quality manual. Reads as though the technical writer struggled with the English language.

Similar Products Used:
NAD Integrated Amps Parasound PHP-850 Preamp

Price Paid:  $395.00

Summary:
I owned this product for two days, the dealer allowed me to take it home for a try. It was the first tube preamp I ever listened to, so at the time I was comparing it to the solid state preamps I owned and heard in the past. I was immediately taking by it's good looks and couldn't wait to play it. The sound I heard didn't exactly impress me but I didn't find the sound to be awful, it wasn't what I was looking for. I returned it to the dealer whom I purchased it from and he wasn't very happy either. Since then I have listened to other tube like ARC, Precision Fidelity, Conrad Johnson, and if you want my advice stay with companies like the above mentioned who have a proven track record.

Strengths:
Looks

Weaknesses:
Mediocre sound

Similar Products Used:
Listed above

Summary:
I don't really understand the other reviews but I believe this preamp was designed to be a very neutral preamp achieved via a single stage design using a 6DJ8 and a pair of high quality coupling transformers. This design is very unusual. Based on direct comparison to several preamps, I believe this one is the most neutral, least colored. The Conrad Johnson in comparsion, had a fatter, bigger sound which made for great listening. The Golden tube had very good low level clarity, and a lack of coloration. Clearly, dynamics were less impressive than the Conrad.

My thoughts are this is a great choice for a purist thinking about a passive preamp. You get clarity and some gain. Go with something else if you want slam, or a big fat sound. (P.S. used a new old stock Amperex bugle boy)

Strengths:
Single stage design and transformer coupling make this preamp very uncolored. Somewhat like a passive preamp with 12 db of gain.

Weaknesses:
Single stage design does not broaden the spectral balance of the source components. Also, some power amps may not like the load from this preamp.

Similar Products Used:
Conrad Johnson PV-5, B&K Sonata

Summary:
This is a follow-up to my initial evaluation of this product, after several month's use.

Unfortunately, the SEP-1 preamp has not continued to please me, but has increasingly emerged as the weak-link in my audio chain. The build quality and parts list is fine, but after that the performance takes a nose-dive.

On mine there is an obvious channel inbalance on the CD input (only) which has become more and more apparent over time. The almost imperceptable balance control does nothing to correct this (the balance control is selectable to be in or out of circuit via a jumper on the PCB, and yes I do have it connected). I know of other owners who have reported channel balance problems with the volume pot.

There is also audible input crosstalk. If listening to a CD at normal listening levels the tuner and video must both be off, otherwise they can be heard faintly in the background.

Finally, the general quality of amplification sucks. It is non-linear and distorted. I also own a GTA SE-40 power amp which I bought at the same time as the preamp. One of the frequent criticisms of this amp is that it has rolled-off highs and soft or mushy bass. I believe that whilst this is true to a certain degree, the sound is made considerably worse by the presence of a SEP-1 preamp, which has exactly the same problems, but to a much worse degree.

I recently tried connecting my CD player directly into the SE-40 power amp via a passive line attenuator, which was there purely to act as a volume control. The improvement in sound from my system achieved by banishing the SEP-1 preamp was nothing short of astounding. Suddenly the bass which I have not heard since I replaced my old solid state gear was back, but with much greater resolution and punch than ever before. The highs were also more detailed (but not over bright) and the midrange "blossomed". Overall, the sound was suddenly "right".

In summary, the SE-40 poweramp is a better deal than many people realise, but it is often unfortunately partnered with this lemon of a preamp, which I am unfortunately forced to give at least 1 star, although it deserves 0. The fact that it costs over US$1,000 and is easily swept away by a home made line attenuator worth $25 speaks for itself.

Avoid this preamp - it is blown out of the water by almost anything else available.

Strengths:
User configurable for long interconnects. Build quality.

Weaknesses:
Many. The sound overall.

Similar Products Used:
Cary, Audio Note, Audio Research, AES.

Summary:
I bought this SEP-1 (upgraded to SE status after purchase)as a demo unit from a dealer and consider it a learning experience. In a nutshell, if you want a truly good preamplifier - keep looking! Sonic quality is poor... veiled and bland. Build quality is iffy. Product support is very poor. I sold this unit at a terrible loss - and let my SE-40 go as well as I wish to have nothing to do with Solo Electronics ever again. Even at a discounted used market price, this preamp is no bargain... and the low value of SE-40 amplifiers is an indication I might not be alone in my opinion.

Strengths:
Inverted polarity outputs for bridging amps, good headphone amp.

Weaknesses:
Bland sound, marginal build quality, terrible product service/support.

Similar Products Used:
Various Adcom, Carver, Sony ES and Lexicon models.