Reference Standard

none

I never thought I'll be purchasing stuff over the web, but I came to this site and printed all the reviews about Don and his ELAD to read quietly in bed. I read them carefully and decided to send Don a quick e-mail. In response Don said he talks better than writes... The rest is known to all who ever spoke to the man. Kudos to you Don for your wit, knowledge, sincerity and this wonderful product. I have no words, which could add anything to what has already been posted here before.
My ELAD no 227 is quiet as a mouse, yet can be bold as a lion.
I have never heard a better preamp. Don, how is my phono stage going?

Morrison ELAD controls the following stock:
ML 37 transport
ML 36S DAC
ML 27.5 amp (best amp Levinson ever done except the 33H)
Dunlavy Aletha (reference standard in my opinion)
Linn LP 12 Lingo (when I get the phone stage)

Similar Products Used:

Used many, none can compare, perhaps at 10 times the price

The signal makes its way to the loudspeaker, unimpaired

Nothing that is obvious

Those who pursue audio perfection, eventually –unless they are fortunate in having unlimited resources—must confront the law of diminishing returns. There are two questions that must be answered: does the new device make an improvement to the sound and, if so, at what cost? About six years ago, I decided that I had probably reached a point where it made more sense to invest my time, effort and money in music rather than audio gear. However, the Morrison E.L.A.D. preamplifier has, at least temporarily, shaken me out of my complacency. (I have mixed feelings about that.) There is not much that I can report here that has not already been noted in previous reviews.

Given the purpose of a preamplifier, it doesn’t really make any sense to describe its sonic characteristics. I guess the virtue of the E.L.A.D. is that it does its job flawlessly. In other words it doesn’t add, or subtract, anything from the signal it receives. Consequently, it is not surprising that one is inclined to use terms like “transparency” to describe the effect. I hear more detail and, as a consequence, everything sounds better—even awful recordings. (Even a bad wine benefits from being served in crystal as opposed to a coffee mug.)

I should also add that I have been happily using Morrison loudspeakers for a number of years. The last upgrade, six years ago, was what forced me to focus my attention on music rather than audio gear. I suspect that the same will be true of the E.L.A.D. preamplifier. With the best source material (which, hitherto, was typically an LP), I can hear music, not audio reproduction.

Oh yes, all of the positive things that others have said about Don Morrison: ditto.

Similar Products Used:

Morrison PRE-2

customer service, build quality, price

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All positive reviews below are accurate in my experience with the ELAD. The sound is perfectly focused & crystal clear. But for those of you who only go by the numbers, check out what Peter Aczel of the cynical "measurement" rag, The Audio Critic (issue #25), says regarding the ELAD's specs: "These figures have never been surpassed individually in my testing experience and never equaled in combination. The Morrison ELAD is the most nearly perfect line-level preamp known to me." No on-off switch but the power supply & control box run cool so power usage shouldn't be a concern.

My cup runneth over - 5 stars all the way.

Transparency. Detail. Soundstaging. Dynamics. Solid Build. Support. Price.

None

This pre-amp is truly outstanding. It manages to do whatever it is that needs to get done to get music from the source to the amp, faithfully and effectively. In my system (Odyssey Stratos amp, Vandersteen 2CE Signature speakers) the ELAD reveals music in a manner which I find to be transparent, dynamic, and nuanced. Soundstaging is excellent. I hear no background noise during still or quiet passages. Simply put, I can forget about the ELAD, and just enjoy the music.

Yes, the ELAD is "revealing"; it doesn't toy around with the signal in an attempt to make bad recordings sound better than they are. The flip side to this, however, (which isn't acknowledged as often as it should be) is that good recordings (the vast majority, at least in my collection) are revealed in all the more musical detail. To my mind, a pre-amp which is "unforgiving" in this way is, on the whole, something to be desired.

Build quality is also excellent. A separate electronically regulated power supply is provided. Main unit is tank solid. Two large gain knobs provide extremely precise control of balance. I also purchased headphone jack and switch box for more inputs and am happy with both.

A brief comment about the 5/10/01 review: 2 stars? Shouldn't the very fact that the reviewer felt compelled to compare the ELAD to a $16,000 ML pre-amp to begin with count for something? And 2 stars for value?! Isn't the value rating supposed to be a judgment of performance relative to price? (The key for 2 stars states "a little expensive.") The price of the ELAD is $790. Has this been forgotten?

In summary, music lovers who don't have 16 grand to spend on a pre-amp should check out the ELAD. Music lovers who do have 16 grand to spend on a pre-amp... should also check out the ELAD... do a double blind test... do the math... pocket 15 grand, and enjoy the ELAD.

Transparency, simplicity, value

None (unless you need lots of knobs to twiddle)

Following up on my earlier report on the ELAD, I have to say that all my minor cavils about the finish and condition of the power supply on delivery have been wiped away. Further, my experience points out what's unique about this product: it's backed by uniquely attentive customer support from the manufacturer himself. When I got my unit, Morrison wanted to know how it was. I told him of the separated faceplate and the slight mechanical buzz. Within less than a day, Morrison had done some R&D and made adjustments. Within two days I had a new power supply, tested personally by Morrison at the factory that supplies his transformers. I'm happily listening to the world's best preamplification device-no buzz, rock solid. I now have the highest regard for a guy who stands alone in audio, or nearly anywhere else. As he told me, "Customer service is my only weapon." My only suggestion is that he find a way to build it in a transparent chassis: if you look inside, you will see a virtual jewel-box of artfully composed components, as finely put together and glowing as a Faberge egg.

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Sui generis

The Morrison ELAD is a rare combination of performance and value in audio equipment. It shows that objective measurement and subjective impressions belong hand in hand and certainly do not have to be mutually exclusive. As tested by the Audio Critic, the ELAD’s standard measurements are better than those of any other preamplifier I have researched. An overwhelming majority of ELAD users, as witnessed by the reviews on this site, will confirm their pleasure with its performance. Judging from public dialogue, it would seem that the only people not satisfied with the ELAD are those who need remote control, enjoy tubes, do not use appropriate analog source equipment, or have not actually heard it. If any of the preceding criteria applies, the ELAD is not for you. If you chose not to try the ELAD because of any preconceived biases, you are making a mistake, regardless of your preamplifier budget.

In a subjective word, the ELAD is transparency. On well-recorded discs and varying with the track, I find myself being drawn into the recording venue or feeling as though the artist is in the room. The recording is presented in the most natural form with all to bear. I can think of no higher praise for a preamplifier. I had the opportunity to bypass the preamplifier section of two highly regarded and fairly expensive integrated amplifiers through their theater processor loops. It was only with the ELAD inserted that these amplifiers presented the aforementioned impressions. As with amplifiers, I used two CD players with the ELAD with the same wonderful impressions. In the end, I feel quality amplifiers and CD players can be intermingled and switched according to taste. However, the transparency of the ELAD when partnered with an excellent speaker is essential for advancing musical satisfaction.

If you feel strongly about remote capability, you can use a long interconnect to place the ELAD near your listening position or make use of the theater processor loop on many of the acclaimed integrated amplifiers. This would allow you the use the ELAD for critical listening and the remote capability of the integrated for background music or video sources, though I believe one would find it hard not to use the ELAD for everything after hearing it. I adjust the volume when changing discs and find this works quite well.

Every aspect of Don Morrison Audio demonstrates quality. The product design, functional build quality, packaging, and customer service are all first rate. Don’s personal interest in you and your satisfaction is exactly as described on this site and more. With the purchase of the ELAD, I significantly advanced my satisfaction with music reproduction. Just as importantly, I made a friend and learned a great deal.

ELAD used with the following in my home:

Harbeth HL Compact 7ES-2
Krell 300I
Plinius 8200
Arcam Alpha 9
Cary 303
Basic Copper Cables with Quality Connectors

Transparent

Doesn't make tea or fetch slippers.

It always seems that when something is seen to be successful out come the long knives to drag it back into the herd. The only thing better than the ELAD would be a direct cable but then you would have to move between rooms as a volume control or use an ear trumpet! The ELAD should be the final Audio purchase after you have a decent source and a amplifier/speaker combination that reproduces the kind of music that you like best. The ELAD then allows you to hear what was actually recorded. My experience is that a concert, broadcast (CBC) or CD gives a very similar musical experience when played through the ELAD (Tafelmusik, Aradia, Renee Fleming Cecilia Bartoli etc.). After upgrading to the ELAD I find that the quality of the performance becomes clear. For the first time I can now understand why Pablo Casals said of Jacqueline du Pre "Surely you can't be English! Unreserved 5 Stars.

Excellent sonics; price, excellent quality

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Wow, this is music, I never heard my system sounded like this. The sound stage if so deep and wide, the bass is tight, image is sharp. The most important part is I am listening to music not the equipment. I dug out all my CD collection and start listening to them all; I can't remember the last time I did that.

I have listen to many other Pre-amp on my system before, but none come close to ELAD for the price and performance. The one that is close are almost 5 to 10 time the price.

Anyone who wants to enjoy music buys this Pre-Amp.

My System
Audio Research VT100 MK2
Bryston 4B ST
NAD 541 CD player
Audio Electronic Supply CD (Tube output)
Kimber 8TC Speaker Cable
Kimber Hero interconnect
Cardas Quardlink Interconnect
Jamo D870 Speaker

Similar Products Used:

Bryston BP-25,Sonic Frontiers Assemblage L-1

It has no sound of its own at all. Just like it's supposed to be.

It's really very simple. This unit makes every attempt to do nothing to the music flowing through it. And if the music that goes through it is good, and the recording of that music well made, then what you will hear are musicians doing what musicians do. And isn't that why we listen anyway? If you love music rather than listening to yourself inventing fancy things to say about audio gear, then just go buy this thing and hook it up. Get your slippers, cozy up with a glass of your favorite, and let your music take you away from the cares of this world. This piece of equipment is the best in the world at delivering the music to your ears. Pure and simple.

The only preamp I have ever experienced that has absolute transparency and clarity as its design parametres. This is by far the best line stage preamp I have ever heard and is far superior to models costing many thousands of dollars. It simply has to be heard to be believed.

None. The only drawback is that it must be purchased direct from the manufacturer so potential customers won't be able to listen before buying. Don't worry - you will never find a better buy in the audio world. I really mean this; this product establishes a new price/performance standard that raises the bar way beyond what any other manufacturer currently produces.

The Morrison Elad line stage preamp is simply the best preamp I have ever encountered in many years of listening and purchasing audio equipment. It is the most transparent preamp I have ever found and will reveal everything about your system and the CD's you listen to.
This preamp has to be the best bargain in audio at the present time because it is reasonably priced and sounds better than ANY preamp I have ever heard, irregardless of cost. It is totally neutral and will reveal all the details of the source material.
Listening to the Morrison preamp is like removing a blanket from the front of your speakers. You won't believe how much detail you were missing. I honestly believe it is the most cost effective upgrade you can make to your system.
Construction quality is amazing for a unit at this price. It is built like a tank and uses premium quality parts throughout. The separate power supply is the heaviest I have ever seen. This is a component that is built to last.
Many of my friends have listened to the unit and all were amazed at its' sound. The only drawback is that it is limited to two inputs; that's it. I realize it will take a leap of faith to purchase one but there is no downside. This is a product that is redefining the quality standard in home audio.

Similar Products Used:

Aragon 24K, Classe, Bryston and Sonic Frontiers