There is no trace of electronics in my system save the weakness noted below. Don is a great guy and if you have a question or a problem, just call.

Very low level hum traced to the preamp. Don says due to voltage differential something. He gave me tips on how to fix it, but I haven't tried yet.

The review from the Paradigm Active 40's is pasted below as it applies to the front end electronics as well.

Very flat and clear. Cleaner than B&W based on very subjective comparisons at different dealers.
Only potential weakness is a limited sound stage, but I expect that problem is due to my small 11 x 13 room rather than the speaker. Much better imaging/sound stage was heard at the dealer. No need for a subwoofer, except, perhaps, for some very low organ notes. The "perhaps" reflects my suspicion that the low organ rumble I heard was a result of the recording. Similar low organ material is fine on differnt sources, including live FM.
Electronic front end is a Morrison Pre-amp and Rotel 971 cd player. Both highly recomended. The entire system is new, so I can't evalute the impact of the individual components. But I doubt the electronics make that much of a difference.
I doubt there is any speaker available that is sufficiently superior to justify the higher price and electronics. I was capable of spending much, much, more.

The above system is suffienciently accurate that I can hear splices in CDs and horn players gasping between notes. The role of the preamp in all of this is not determinable without alot of work and time.

Similar Products Used:

None. Differences between electronic components, if they are audible, won't be between dealers, etc.

Built quality, robust look

lean sounding, lack warmth

Currently I connect this preamp to power section (bypass the built-in preamp) of my Classe CAP-100 integrated amp. I've run in this setup for about 1.5 month (about 3 hours each day). Each time I listen to it, I find something missing as compare to using the CAP-100 by itself previously.

I decide to remove the Morrison preamp and listen to my CAP-100 by itself using the built-in preamp. The following are findings:

Soundstage and ambient: CAP100 by itself sound more lifelike and more realistic and more tangible

High frequency: quite similiar

Mid frequency: CAP100 by itself sounds warmer, less edgy and more natural

Low frequency: the bass sounds a lot fuller and more realistic with the built-in preamp; I could hear the double bass better.

I really hope the Morrison preamp will sound better when I continue to run it in.

Price paid for Morrison preamp CAN$1100 (direct from Morrison).

Price paid for Classe CAP100 integrated amp CAN$1900.

Similar Products Used:

Pre-amp section of Classe CAP-100 integrated amp

absolute transparency, extremely low noise floor, clarity and detail, straightforward good looks, and the man Morrison himself

none than can be assigned to this preamp...

There's no hot air anywhere n e a r Don Morrison.

As a person who doesn't like to have to work too hard to achieve great sound in my living room, preferring to relax and listen to music, this is the perfect preamp for me. I no longer find it necessary to strain my imagination to 'fill in the blanks' of a recording - the E.L.A.D. presents every detail cleanly, cohesively and effortlessly. No one part of the musical spectrum is emphasized or minimized, destroying the illusion of real space and instruments being played, as happens with some other components. Voices are truly separate from one another - not mushed together - whether in a quartet or a full chorus, and I enjoy having the sense of a real person(s) move behind a real microphone(s) as never before in my system. Good recordings sound great, not-so-good recordings sound slightly laughable, rather regrettable or absolutely annoying depending upon your mood. Strengths and weaknesses upstream and downstream are totally revealed, which makes it very easy to decide where an upgrade is needed....a 'good thing', as Martha Stewart would say. (sorry, but I couldn't resist that - it's a girl thing)
Now I'm downstairs into the wee small hours listening to music again, and that has not happened in a long time. My husband thanks you, Don, while I throw rose petals at your feet. Bravo!

Similar Products Used:

Audible Illusions Modulus 3

Here is my story (in 2 parts).
***********************************************************
I think the goal of this site should be to help a music-lover to make the right buying decisions by making him more relevantly informed about the product.
***********************************************************
Part I. My first impression was that the ELAD was a bit cleaner, purer and more natural sounding than the preamp I used before.
It took me only a few minutes to get used to separate volume controls - not a big deal at all.

Part II. It wasn’t until after I received my new DAC from USA (Perpetual Technologies P-3A; I’ll soon post a review in the appropriate section as well) when I became aware of what the ELAD was truly capable of. At first, I somewhat hesitated to post my review on this site since the sonic improvement was good but not outstanding but when I received my new DAC this feeling blew in no time.

If an analogy with optics seems acceptable (components can be like clean or dirty windows), then I have to tell you that this one is clean. However, I don’t think that it will be easy to find components of similar sound quality level. (I think I’ve found one, see Perpetual Technologies P-3A reviews; a unit also with an excellent value/money criterion; though it’s not advisable to use an outboard DAC because it involves using a digital interface with a certain amount of jitter; but this DAC seems to have solved this problem via I2S bus).

This little DAC simply revealed the true advantages of the ELAD. I understood: my old CD-player’s bad performance was simply reproduced by the ELAD; it just couldn’t sound right with such a CD-player, so you see what is happening when one component in your system is a piece of junk. It was like a flash: the ELAD was just showing the real (not very beautiful) character of my CD-player; now with my new DAC the preamp is as large as life (together with the P-3A). I was really stunned. The 3D soundstage grew bigger and the music was filling the whole room. I’ve never heard anything better in comparison to over $30K systems. It gives a few times more value than its cost.
The highs were ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLY NATURAL (I failed to find any faults with the mids and lows either). The goddamn DAC seemed to be able to pull out every bloody detail from my CDs (together with the ELAD, of course). Here I cognited at how good the preamp was: everything sounded so NATURAL, PURE and REALISTIC.

You probably know this feeling: you listen and listen and listen to your favourite music … it’s far beyond midnight but you just cannot stop (a very good indicator). So I am so happy to realize that my search for the Holy Grail of Audio wasn’t fruitless. Now am 100% sure I’m on the right track. I just want to complete building up my system with components of similar quality in order to make a complete recovery from “audiophilia illness”.

An excellent sounding device with the outstanding measurements - what a relief in this crazy world of HE Audio !

The educational part of my relationships with Morrison shouldn’t be underestimated. Thanks a lot, Don. And look here, guys, we all are being cheated and fooled by the whole High End industry: that’s why I haven’t bought anything from the local dealers myself so far. And do avoid the cable/accessory part of this business. My estimation is as follows: if cost of components is approx. 2x - 8x times their parts + labour, then in the cable/accessory industry this would be 10x - 50x. So my advise is: if you are familiar with the basics of electronics then DIY.

Don’t forget to order a headphone output unit from Don: you won’t have to spend any money buying a separate headphone amp. Buy more records !

if you are not satisfied with the ELAD please keep in mind my case and check other components: try the source at first.

Here is my general impression: this unit is extremely quiet, clean, pure, neutral and invisible. With these qualities you will get all the weird stuff some audiophiles like to mention: emotions, details, air around instruments etc.
The build quality is extremely good though it’s not a design masterpiece but it didn’t matter to me at all since I was only concerned with an accurate music reproduction. Seems to last for a few decades at least. I was surprised but the WAF (wife approval factor) was pretty good.

It’ll sound exactly like your records do: if this is your purpose, take the risk.


Enjoy the music.

See review...

See review...

Morrison E.L.A.D. Review:

Well, after several months of enjoying the company of the Morrison Electronic
Line Amplifying Device ("E.L.A.D."), it seems to me high time to write a few
paragraphs about this incredible device to help spread the word. And
the word is, or rather, the words are: the facts in audio space are
Morrison's world. Perhaps better put, if you want a preamp that
appears to obliterate the gap between the musical given and the
musical perceived, then this is the preamp you want.

Morrison's preamp is, simply put, an atrocity of clarity. My
mind's ear simply would not accept what it was hearing the first several
times I listened to my favorite recordings through this device. I've
listened to probably hundreds of preamps in my time, and I can say without
hesitation that I have never, and I am emphatic in using the term
"never", heard any line amplifying device that was as liberating, as
transparent, as...noumenal, as is the E.L.A.D. And as far as I'm
concerned, neutrality is the name of the game. My music collection
has completely reorganized itself thanks to Morrison's troubling and
wonderous device: old faves have been seriously demoted, now that I
can hear how poorly recorded they were to begin with, and scores of
albums have risen in the ranks now that I can hear the albums the way
they were intended to be heard.

The device itself is a masterpiece of ascetic and aesthetic
understatement. Seperate head unit and power supply (probably
unnecessary, but these are fickle times...), two switches - input and
mute - and two gain knobs - left and right. The preamp and it's
associated power supply housings are are black with brushed
faceplates, simply labeled, and without any superfluous information to
detract from the minimalistic elegance of the unit. They are
overbuilt. They are heavy. And they are small. All good things, to
my mind.

As far as I know, the only way to get one of these gems is to contact
Morrison himself and order one. (See www.surpher.com/MORRISON for
details on the amp and how to get one direct from him.) My preamp
arrived promptly and was...ahem...overpacked to the extreme. Each
sub-unit -- preamp and power supply - was individually bagged in a
felt carrying sack, then boxed, then nestled in their own styrofoam
compartment, then boxed again, the resulting box again being nestled
in it's own styrofoam compartment, and then boxed solidly and securly.
Each unit is also individually numbered and bench tested for at least
48 hours before being shipped; accompanying the preamp are two pages
of test results indicating your particular unit's performance:
bandwith, separation, THD, noise, et cetera. Again, all bonus and no onus.

Now, note that I say all of the above without regard to price.
Really. Honest. Consider now that Morrison's wonderous little black
box actually only costs $600 plus shipping. That's right, $600. I
have no idea how he does it. Or why. Because he could certainly sell
these for a good chunk more than he is currently asking. I also
predict that this won't last long. Already the word is trickling out
about this electronic mastermind and his devilish inventions. And
this is how it should be. Morrison cranks out an incredible audio
preamp, sure to please even the most atavistic old-school audiophile,
and he does it for a ridiculous price. If you want to hear your music
the way it was meant to be heard, then you owe it to yourself to tune
in, turn on, and drop Morrison a check for this preamp.

System Notes:

Amplifier: Monarchy SM-70 "Zero Feedback" Amp
Preamp: Morrison "E.L.A.D."
Player: Rega Planet
Cabling: Transparent Music Link Plus
Speakers: Acoustic Research AR312HOs

Contact Info:

Morrison Audio
334 King St E
Toronto, Canada
M5A 1K8
(416) 362-0523
www.surpher.com/MORRISON

Reviewer Info:

Joshua Finkler
(919) 554-4090
finkler@ipass.net

The ELAD is a simple line level preamp utilizing AD797 op-amps. These are usually found only in professional studio equipment.As a result, the performance of this unit exceeds any other 'audiophile' preamp for a fraction of the price ($600 US!). It's built like a tank, too.
It is only available direct from the manufacturer, Don Morrison.
Visit his website at http://www.surpher.com/MORRISON for more info.

I almost had to plead with Don Morrison to sell me one of his remarkable
ELAD preamplifiers. I own a pair of Morrison speakers and was so impressed
by the BEAUTY of their sound that when it was time to replace my aging Crown
IC 150 I decided to throw my lot in with Morrison. His high pressure sales
pitch consisted of handing me an envelop of reviews and testimonials and
then ordering a round of Guiness. He refused to discuss the ELAD until I had
read the articles and thought about it for a while. Not a problem as Mr.
Morrison is capable of filling an afternoon with great wit and lively
conversation and never once mention the words stereo sound. This may seem to
be bizarre behavior for a man who makes his living selling hand-made audio
equipment but it is the result of absolute confidence in what he has
designed and produced. Perhaps it is that he knows that the only other
preamps that can match the Morrison ELAD are at two to five times his price.
I fully expected there to be an improvement over the Crown but I was in no
way prepared for what I was hearing. Others had described a "transparency"
and "clarity" but it made little sense until I could hear it for myself. The
disc that I constantly turn to as a benchmark is The Bill Evans Trio "Sunday
At The Village Vanguard". Not only was there distinct left/right placement
without widening but there was what I can only describe as a 3-D quality to
the fore/background presence. It was easy to hear the audience chatter and
place it in the room with relation to the musicians and myself. I was
amazed. The bass took on a fuller, rounder sound without being over
emphasized. Evan's piano did not change all that much but that probably has
more to do with the recording than Morrison's preamp. The brush work on the
cymbals floated effortlessly over the whole picture. If Morrison has biased
his design in anyway it is that he places high value on, for lack of a
better word, a "natural" uncoloured sound favouring an instrument's
"acoustic" resonance.
The Morrison ELAD has a simple almost understated appearance. It is designed
with two inputs, two outputs, left and right volume controls and a mute
switch. The DC power supply is a separate brick shaped unit that is
deceptively heavy. The construction is rock solid. The idea volume control
and no tone control seemed odd a first but it makes sense that if its not in
the original recording why pretend. It's very easy with Morrison speakers to
shape the sound to the listening space. I'm not sure how that would work for
other speakers.I had a problem in that I use a tape deck, CD Player and an
FM. Morrison sells a very handsome and matching switching box if need. I
also had to buy a phonostage preamp being in the ever shrinking corps of
people who still think that well mastered and pressed vinyl still sounds
better than a CD.
I recommend the Morrison ELAD without reservation.
Please contact me if you want to hear more about this great preamp.
j.pinto@hitchcock.org

Sonically Invisible! Physically solid & attractive.

None in the ELAD itself, however it will expose weakness in any componets upstream.

I research, search and shop. I read these reviews just like you. After stripping off the hype, I buy what I believe to be the best at a realistic price. Don Morrison’s Electronic Line Amplifying Device is the only piece of equipment in my system purchased new, & without audition. If you want the best without hype, contact Mr. Morrison. A fellow this bright, unpretentious, and generous is a rarity. At my price of $690, shipping included, I consider his ELAD a superior bargain! This is one fantastic preamp! Sonically the Morrison is invisible, (think better than passive). Physically, it is one neat and sturdy package, (actually two neat packages joined by an umbilical). You will not likely find one used, as I doubt anyone would let it go. If you think that $690 is not enough for an “Audiophile” piece, then add a zero or two to your check, Don would get a kick out of it & send you back your change...

Ps: You may want to check out his speakers as well…

RELATED EQUIPMENT: Meridian 24-Bit 506, Yamaha CT100U, Carver Reference LIGHTSTAR, Martin-Logan Sequel-II’s

Similar Products Used:

nothing I know of that is similar.

Good price. Nice sound overall

A bit edgy on the top end. Not a great match with my speakers.

I purchased this piece used, and found that it was not as good a match with my system as some of the other preamplifiers I was looking at. As noted above, I found the top end to be a bit edgy on some source material, and I did not find this with the Acurus or Aragon preamplifiers. I was surprised by that as i have never heard the SL-3's to have that "zing". I decided to go with the Acurus RL-11 in my system. It's a bit more expensive, but it offers remote control. The Aragon 28k was a bit too much, and although a bit better, it did not justify the extra expense.

Here is the rest of my system:

Martin Logan SL-3 speakers
Aragon 8008BB amplifier
California Audio Labs CL-5 CD changer
Straight Wire cables

I wanted to like the ELAD because for the price you can't beat it, but I found that if I spent a little more, I got the convenience of the remote control, and didn't hear that "edge"
I would still highly recommend this preamp.

Similar Products Used:

Aragon 28k, Acurus RL-11, B&K PT-3

Construction Quality, "open" Sound, lack of colouration.

Only two line inputs, no remote.

I am very pleased with the amplifier, I has made the listen experience that much more realistic and natural sounding.

Although I must admit as I have been trying different interconnects, a line amplifier is only as good as the quality of the source material.

I have managed to find a very nice "natural" and "open" sounding inter-connect cables made in the uk called Ecosse Reference MA-2. It's very transparent and also natural sounding. And they not to expensive.

The ELAD product has improved my overall sound, not so much on my well recorded/engineered CD's, but my old ones sound a lot better too. Strange, probably due to the fact that all the Instruments, now sound so realistic and natural.

You can hear someone playing a piece of intricate music on the guitar strings, and drums are natural sounding. Vocals come to life, you can even here some of the artists, sneak a quick breath in... (fantastic)

I also suspect that if I had to replace the Musical Fidelity A3 CD Player (Which is an excellent buy) with a High-end Wadia or something similiar it would improve even more ...

I simply love the Way the sounds is so natural.

Order yours now, as the waiting list is up to a few months... but I think it's worth it.

Well Done Don,

Regan

Similar Products Used:

Musical fidelity X-P100 Pre-amp