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Author Topic: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier  (Read 2370 times)

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shaizada

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EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« on: June 12, 2015, 11:29:20 PM »
I've gone ahead and put in an order for a silver EAR 912 with black knobs and black handles (picture below is with silver handles).



As my system has expanded out with 5 tonearm / cartridge combos feeding into it, I needed a more full function preamplifier. This preamp has 3 tubes in the phono section, 2 phono inputs, step up transformers that can be used with either phono input, interstage coupling transformers, 2 tubes in the line section followed by 2 output transformers. It has 7 inputs, 2 balanced inputs along with 4 sets of outputs. A lot of versatility and will accommodate the full system as it stands right now.

I'm super excited and it is about 3 weeks out till it gets shipped over from England.

Another interesting thing is that I might be getting a full metal remote as opposed to the flimsy plastic one currently...EAR never has any quality remotes, just functional ones. That might be about to change according to the EAR distributor.

I posted this here as I'm quite excited about this piece!  headbang
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smitty1110

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2015, 12:36:36 AM »
 p:8 Dayum, that is some serious signal routing.
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shaizada

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2015, 07:48:08 AM »
Damn custom order....still not in my hands yet!  Dealer says it should be getting shipped out next week.  I'll believe it when I see a tracking number or shipping confirmation.  :)p2

All my initial excitement is definitely watered down right now.  Maybe it will get reignited when I open the box, whenever that is!
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ohhgourami

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2015, 08:48:44 AM »
Oooo cool! I'd like to hear that!
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shaizada

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2015, 04:11:41 AM »
Quote from: ohhgourami on July 18, 2015, 08:48:44 AM
Oooo cool! I'd like to hear that!

You're going to be invited as soon as it is broken in (about 100 hours).  It lands in California on Wednesday, August 12th....on my Birthday out of all days, after so many delays from the factory.  Very very very veryyyyyy excited.  This is that "for life" kind of preamp for me.
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ohhgourami

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2015, 04:40:27 PM »
Great! Looking forward to hearing your gear. I'll very hesitantly drag my new amp over as I just sold the old one. :p
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Chris F

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2015, 07:24:43 PM »
How is the noise floor of the phono section?  I'm curious since it looks to be all tube gain?

Such a great looking piece of equipment.  Love the analog meters, wish they would make a comeback. :)

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shaizada

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #7 on: August 09, 2015, 03:28:23 AM »
Chris, it is DEATHLY silent! He matches every section with ideal, custom transformers that he winds.  Have a look here:

http://www.earyoshino.com/912/#features

The meters are super useful, as they measure the signal that is incoming, as opposed to what the preamp is outputting.  Tells you a lot about the correct settings for a given phono cartridge or the dynamic of a given recording. 


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Chris F

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2015, 01:13:47 AM »
Cool :)

So if I understand correct the phono(s) of the 912 are tube based MM with a matched step up transformer inside the box so it can also do MC?
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shaizada

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #9 on: August 10, 2015, 03:13:30 AM »
Quote from: Chris F on August 10, 2015, 01:13:47 AM
Cool :)

So if I understand correct the phono(s) of the 912 are tube based MM with a matched step up transformer inside the box so it can also do MC?

Chris, the phono section works exactly like you said.  It is a MM tube based, transformed coupled output stage with MC step ups to deal with low and high output MC's.  His transformers have 4 winding taps (40Ω, 12Ω, 6Ω, 3Ω), which are transformer loads, not normal impedance loads.  He allows for 2 phono inputs, each can be configured from the front panel to be used as EITHER MM or MC.  So, can have 2 MM carts or 2 MC carts OR one of each.  Then, you can control the gain stage (basically another set of custom interstage coupling transformers) from the phono section to the linestage section through another knob on the front panel (0db, -6db, -12db).  You can know what the right gain settings are by looking at the VU meters which tell you the dynamic range of the recording.  Very very HIGHLY configurable phono section.



Tim de Paravicini's unique sound is courtesy of his hand wound transformers which are completely boutique and bespoke in the industry.  MOST manufacturers rely on the few basic high quality transformer manufacturers out there (Lundahl, Cinemag, Hashimoto, Jensen etc).  E.A.R. winds their own as it really is a black art.  He doesn't share how he winds them, but he said that all manufacturers are pretty much reading the same text books and share the same common knowledge of how to wind them...Tim doesn't apparently follow those textbook recipes.  Only thing I know is that I truly TRULY dig his sound...

http://www.earyoshino.com/912/images/features/transformers.jpg

So do Paul McCartney and Pink Floyd.  Most of the Pink Floyd albums has been recorded using his electronics...I just learnt that.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2015, 04:50:04 AM by shaizada »
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