The Voyager: A new portable amp by Graham Slee

[mrarroyo]

This is the second package I have received from Graham Slee over the last two months. The packaging, as usual, was absolutely first class with the Voyager residing in it's own box and a further (outer) box being used to ship it in.... superb packaging!

The pictures below really don't do any justice to the appearance of the Voyager; it looks so much better when viewed by the naked eye. It has a lovely tactile feel to it and feels nice in the hand, it's plastic but it's quality plastic and the fit and finish is top notch. The stick on Graham Slee Voyager label (the thing on the top with all the writing on it) appears to be a good quality acrylic job and it should stand up to a lot of knocks and scrapes (i.e.: the printing won't rub off).

This unit was received on Saturday, October 13, 2007. I have had the unit in continuous burn in since, over the past 148 hours (7 days) the amp has gone through various stages: in one it has to much bass then it transitions to: where has the bass gone? This does not surprise me anymore since I have seen this behavior in various amps from different manufacturers.

There are three ways to power the Voyager. First there is the 24 volt 0.500 amps wallwart supplied w/ the amp by Graham Slee. The wallwart is connected on the left hand side of the Voyager where there's a 2.5 x 5.5 power jack that'll take 12-24 volts DC from any supply you like. Secondly there is a USB port on the right hand side of the Voyager; no this is not for a dac. Instead it is to preserve battery life when you are working on your PC. Lastly there is a 9 Volt battery, by the way Graham ships the amp w/ a 9volt battery and a mini to mini interconnect. So the amp is ready to use from the moment you get it. Note: depending on the volume level you will get approximately 50 hours on a 9-volt alkaline battery.

The front panel sports an ultra high efficiency classy clear red LED to indicate power is on, input/output jacks and the volume pot. The amp is turned on via a three-way switch located on the left side of the amp in front of the power jack. There are three indents on the switch: 12-24VDC, USB, and Battery.

The final element is the Contour switch, located on the right hand side of the amp in front of the USB port. This particular Contour switch uses the Fletcher-Munson curve. You can read more about it in places like: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fletcher-Munson_curves or at http://www.webervst.com/fm.htm

Personally I find that the Contour switch will appeal to the bassheads and for some headphones it might add a sense of bass if the can is known for lacking bass. For example it is useful at times w/ the AKG K501. But even in the K501 it can become overpowering in high volumes or w/ certain recordings. I do not use it much but some of you may love it.

Regardless of whether you like the Contour switch or not, the Voyager is shaping up as an amp w/ a very wide soundstage. It has very good bass impact, and it is very clear/detailed on top. As stated above be advised that IMO the Voyager is one of those amps that needs 400+ hours of burn in. Next Saturday (10/20) is the Florida Meet and I plan on taking the Voyager so others can try it. But even then the amp will have about 320 hours of burn in, which IMO will not be enough.

I will update this thread in about a week with final thoughts in 2 weeks. I would hope that those users at the Florida Meet next week that listen will also post their impressions of the Voyager, even if it is not fully burnt in.

For those interested this amp sell for approximately $300 (depends on the exchange rate at the time you purchase it) plus S&H. Since it even comes w/ a battery and interconnect (which I have not tried yet) it is ready to go. The Voyager uses the AD823 op-amp and it is socketed.

Here are some pictures; the last two are w/ my iModded iPod on it to act as a reference point of view. The Voyager is about the same size as the SR71. Please remember to click on the thumbnails to view the full size picture.















Thanks.

[Capunk]

I'm looking forward for your initial impression,
I hope they carry the similar signature as "Green" solo does.

[mrarroyo]

Originally Posted by Capunk

I'm looking forward for your initial impression,
I hope they carry the similar signature as "Green" solo does.

My initial impression was above, see:

the Voyager is shaping up as an amp w/ a very wide soundstage. It has very good bass impact, and it is very clear/detailed on top.

I will post more after the 300 hour mark. Thanks.

[trb36]

I've read that the Graham Slee Solo has great synergy with the K601 (I heard this from Zorander, who has the 2006 Solo version). However, I am looking for something portable. Would you say that this Voyager is similar to your 2008 Solo, only scaled down for portable use? Or are they two different animals?

Thanks.

[fkclo]

Can't wait to learn about this new creation from Graham Slee ! If this is 90% of a Solo 2006 w PSU1 then it is a steal !

F. Lo

[DennyL]

Originally Posted by fkclo

Can't wait to learn about this new creation from Graham Slee ! If this is 90% of a Solo 2006 w PSU1 then it is a steal !

F. Lo

There is much discussion of the Voyager here:-

http://rockgrotto.proboards39.com/in...ead=1192048271

[fkclo]

Thanks DennyL for pointing the direction. Apparently, the "gang" is doing the final tune up on one hand, and no conclusive impression is available at this moment ?

I know it is going to be good - anything audio from Graham will - it is a matter of how good the Voyager is, and tapping its full potential and capability is going to take a while, I guess

F. Lo

[Capunk]

Originally Posted by trb36

I've read that the Graham Slee Solo has great synergy with the K601 (I heard this from Zorander, who has the 2006 Solo version). However, I am looking for something portable. Would you say that this Voyager is similar to your 2008 Solo, only scaled down for portable use? Or are they two different animals?

Thanks.

I barely have a quick impression with K601 paired with Green Solo, in our last sydney meeting, yesterday (saturday 20/10/07).

IMO, K601 is quite hard to drive with Green solo, and the sound that came from the can, isn't really live what I've been expected...
So I can't say, both things synergic.

However, running ATH W1000 & Denon D2000 from green solo, that was a totally different case, it's beautiful~

[mrarroyo]

Originally Posted by Capunk

I barely have a quick impression with K601 paired with Green Solo, in our last sydney meeting, yesterday (saturday 20/10/07).

IMO, K601 is quite hard to drive with Green solo, and the sound that came from the can, isn't really live what I've been expected...
So I can't say, both things synergic.

However, running ATH W1000 & Denon D2000 from green solo, that was a totally different case, it's beautiful~

Very interesting, I have always thought that the K501 was much harder to drive than the K701 (which I own) and the K501. My green solo has an special affinity w/ my K501 and they sound beautiful together.

Although I am not ready w/ the final word (amp is still burning in) the Voyager is the best surprise. What a sound! Today the amp has reached its 200th hour of burn in, but it is still changing a lot. Once again the bass is gone, should be back tomorrow or Tuesday. Although I have posted that some portable amps exhibit this trait (large changes and up/down during burn in) some of you may not believe me, but IMO the Voyager needs a mega burn in period. I will say that 400 hours will be the minimum.

[Edwood]

There couldn't be a better solution for milling out the power switch slot than that? Looks so amateur.



-Ed

[yobs]

Originally Posted by Capunk

IMO, K601 is quite hard to drive with Green solo, and the sound that came from the can, isn't really live what I've been expected...
So I can't say, both things synergic.

Capunk, those AKGs were my K501s with K701 pads.

[oicdn]

I don't mean to offend, but for $300, I'm with ed, it looks so amateur. granted a case doesn't matter, but for $300, I would expect ATLEAST a generic metal hammond case, regardless of how good it sounds.

Maybe that's just me an I'm being an unreasonably cheap bastard, but with todays offerings at that ballpark pricepoint, you can get a pretty case with AWESOME sound from more than just one retailer, unlike previously, now there are just so many places to look, I think that case is going to be his downfall.

[NelsonVandal]

It looks kind of 70's inside as well. And what do you think of this:
"Maybe the secret of its musical success is the use of specialised branded components developed for high resolution audio?"

and this:
"Or the fact that it uses conventional through-hole components? No surface-mount that could slow the harmonic response through capacitive coupling of cramped packaged components?"
I thought it was the other way round.

[LawnGnome]

That cut work on the plastic is pretty damn poor.

For 300$, people will stick to the offerings that are "prettier".

[Edwood]

Originally Posted by oicdn

I don't mean to offend, but for $300, I'm with ed, it looks so amateur. granted a case doesn't matter, but for $300, I would expect ATLEAST a generic metal hammond case, regardless of how good it sounds.

Maybe that's just me an I'm being an unreasonably cheap bastard, but with todays offerings at that ballpark pricepoint, you can get a pretty case with AWESOME sound from more than just one retailer, unlike previously, now there are just so many places to look, I think that case is going to be his downfall.

You're sh***ing me? $300?!? I didn't even check the price. I assumed it would be <$100. Sorry, given the size and worse than DIY enclosure, not a very good value.

-Ed