E.A.R 834p. VS Graham Slee Reflex

Pbowne: Glad to see your response. Mine should arrive tomorrow. I have started to read up on modifications. Any you recommend (besides new tubes) that was worth the $/effort as a DIY?

Proac28, Yes, I have a Lyra Titan-i cartridge and am using a Graham Slee Reflex M. When I got back into turntables several years ago and bought a VPI Super Scoutmaster, I got a high output moving coil cartridge with a Graham Slee Gold ERA phono preamp. I upgraded to a low output Lyra Skala a year or two later and the Graham Slee ERA didn't have enough output so I bought a Graham Slee Elevator, a step-up device with a wide range of loading options on the front panel making testing different loads very easy. I traded in the Skala and got a nice trade-in for it on the purchase of a Titan-i. I upgraded to the Reflex M about 1-2 years ago from the ERA Gold, which further improved performance. The Reflex M and Elevator are a great combination. I am extremely happy with the sound. I am not looking to change my phono preamp, this combo is a keeper.

I haven't heard the Graham, but I did try out the EAR a few years ago, and it was pretty ho hum to me. Not bad, but nothing special.

Shakey

Shakey- Do you suspect the 834 w/ your Benz was just too warmish paired together. They are both supposed to have that signature. I have owned a Ruby, and briefly an EAR 912. and that was my feeling. Never heard them together.
Was the 834P quiet w/ your Benz SL

Just got mine. Can't say it's ho hum on this side,bit of an opposite experience for me. Sounds great: agree with all that has been posted on this one. Can't call it analytical, but did not want that sound.

Good luck