Graham Slee Reflex M Phono Preamp Review: Minimalism Meets Outstanding Sound

Experience top-tier sound from your MM cartridge with the minimalist yet powerful Graham Slee Reflex M phono preamp.

The Unsung Hero of Vinyl Systems

If vinyl is your go-to for music, then the phono preamp is arguably the most crucial electronic component in your audio setup. Many overlook its importance, but this humble circuit is responsible for amplifying the tiny signals from your cartridge to levels your amplifier can handle—no small feat!

The Graham Slee Reflex M phono preamp magnifies the output from a typical MM cartridge (about 4–5 mV at 1 kHz/5 cm/s) over 100 times. For MC cartridges, which output an even smaller signal (around 0.3–0.5 mV), the amplification needed is about ten times greater. That means any noise or distortion introduced by the phono preamp is also ramped up proportionally. No other piece of gear in your system gets scrutinized quite like this one.

Design & Features: Less Is More

Graham Slee has taken a laser-focused approach with the Reflex M. It’s designed exclusively for MM cartridges (and high-output MCs), stripping away any bells and whistles. There's not even a power switch — just pure, unadulterated amplification.

You'll find a single stereo RCA input, a grounding terminal, a standard stereo RCA output, and a subtle power indicator on the front panel. That’s it.

Key Specs at a Glance:

• MM Cartridge Support: Yes
• MC Cartridge Support: No (besides high-output MC)
• Cartridge Load Adjustment: None
• Remote Control: No
• Dimensions (HxWxD): 50 x 107 x 180 mm
• Weight: 500 g

The Reflex M’s aluminum chassis is compact and neat — about the size of a small book. It’s well-built but visually understated, making it easy to hide away if you prefer. However, its light weight can cause it to shift if you use heavy or inflexible interconnects.

The kit comes with a small plug-in power supply, though upgrading to one of Graham Slee’s more ambitious external PSUs can noticeably enhance sound quality—something previous experience firmly supports.

For those with MC cartridges, Graham Slee offers other phono stages and step-up transformers. In fact, their EXP step-up transformer has performed beautifully when paired with the Reflex M in past tests.

How It Stacks Up in the Market

Looking around the phono preamp landscape, there are cheaper options like the Rega Fono MM Mk5, priced around $445, also dedicated to MM cartridges only.

However, feed the Graham Slee Reflex M a quality signal, and its superiority becomes clear. Sonically, it aligns closer to high-end models like the Vertere Phono-1 MkII L ($1,995), which also handles MC cartridges effortlessly.

Our primary test rig was the Technics SL-1000R turntable paired with MM cartridges ranging from the budget-friendly Sumiko Rainier ($179) and Nagaoka MP-200 ($509) to the premium Vertere Dark Sabre ($1,995).

Amplification came courtesy of Burmester 088/911 MKIII pre/power amps, driving ATC SCM50 speakers—a high-end setup that exposes any weaknesses in a phono stage.

We also tried the Reflex M with a more modest system—Arcam A15 integrated amplifier and KEF LS50 Meta speakers—to see how it fares at more accessible price points.

Sound Performance: A Quiet Champion

Here’s the headline: the Graham Slee Reflex M performs remarkably well across different cartridges and setups.

During testing, it even joined an impromptu face-off with heavyweight phono stages like the Cyrus Phono Signature, Vertere Phono-1 MkII L, the new Cyrus 40 PPA, and the upcoming Michell Apollo. Reflex M held its own admirably.

It didn’t claim the crown, naturally, but considering the other contenders cost three to four times more, its showing was impressive.

The Reflex M only supports MM cartridges, lacks the features of pricier rivals, but for MM playback, it truly punches above its weight.

Musical Journeys with the Reflex M

Our listening sessions spanned a wide array of genres and LPs:

• Kind Of Blue – Miles Davis
• Catch A Fire – Bob Marley
• Carmina Burana – Orff
• Happier Than Ever – Billie Eilish

No matter the style, the Reflex M dazzled.

It runs whisper-quiet, almost no hiss or hum, which opens up a broad dynamic range. That dynamic capability shines particularly in turbulent pieces like Carmina Burana, where the preamp tracks peaks effortlessly.

Yet, it doesn’t lose composure—maintaining control so that even chaotic orchestral bursts come across as musical and coherent. It holds each instrumental part tightly while weaving them into a compelling whole.

The level of detail can’t be overstated here: subtle instrumental textures and dynamic shading come through clearly. The tonal balance leans slightly on the bright side but still delivers warmth and richness that many rivals struggle to match.

The stereo image is another highlight. It may not have the sonic spaciousness of ultra-high-end models, but it creates a wide, three-dimensional soundstage that’s sharply defined.

There's plenty of space around instruments, and the sense of scale adds weight to classic recordings like Orff’s masterpiece.

On albums like Kind Of Blue and Catch A Fire, the Reflex M proves rhythmically adept, capturing the ebb and flow of music with infectious drive.

It sounds effortlessly relaxed on Marley’s Stir It Up and delivers Miles Davis’ jazz with the sophistication and expressiveness it deserves.

High frequencies are crisp but not harsh, avoiding fatigue even on recordings with some edge. Mids offer the expressiveness you want, and bass is tight, articulate, and punchy.

If you crave more authority in the low end or greater power, you’ll need to spend significantly more. But for its price, Reflex M’s bass performance is commendable.

Final Verdict: A Minimalist Marvel for MM Lovers

The Graham Slee Reflex M isn’t flashy or feature-loaded. But if you want the best-sounding phono preamp for MM cartridges under a thousand pounds, you’ve found it.

This is truly a “plug and forget” device at the highest level of quality. Highly recommended.

Ratings:

• Sound: 5/5
• Build: 4/5
• Features: 3/5

"The Reflex M can be considered on the same level as units costing three to four times as much when used with MM cartridges."

FAQ

• Which cartridges are compatible with the Graham Slee Reflex M? The Reflex M supports MM cartridges and high-output MC cartridges but does not support low-output MC cartridges.
• Does the Reflex M have adjustable cartridge loading settings? No, it does not offer adjustable loading; it’s designed to work optimally with standard MM carts without tweaks.
• Is there a power switch on the Reflex M? No, there is no power switch; the device powers on as soon as it’s connected to the power supply.
• Can I upgrade the power supply for better sound? Yes, Graham Slee offers external power supplies that can enhance the performance of the Reflex M.
• How does the Reflex M compare to more expensive phono stages? While it lacks the versatility and features of pricier models, it holds its own sonically against competitors costing several times more, especially in MM cartridge playback.

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