CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS

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

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Chris F

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2015, 01:47:21 AM »
Verrrrry interesting.

It seems that step up or solid state first gain stage into tubed second gain stage is almost ubiquitous in top phono amps.   Off the top of my head: Ypsilon, Zesto, Herron, Allnic, ARC (and no doubt more) all use this type of design.  Must be something there!
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shaizada

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #11 on: August 11, 2015, 04:58:19 AM »
Chris, step ups are almost ideal for the application of boosting such small voltage swings from the MC carts.  Plus, I notice that step up transformers seem to magically keep the fluid feeling of the analog sound intact, so definitely something in that approach just works. 

Oh well, there is another delay in the delivery of the preamp due to customs clearance in England.  Now the preamp is scheduled to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13th).  All these delays are amusing to me at this point...what's a few more days when I've waited this long.   p:8
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Donald North

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #12 on: August 11, 2015, 06:09:52 AM »
It is challenging but possible to do a tube MC step up. I am working on one for myself. Several companies made them in the 80s and 90s including Music Reference, Counterpoint, Audio Research, Klimo, among others. These can work with cartridges down to around 0.4mV output and have reasonably low noise.

I prefer active step ups over transformers but have heard a couple very special and dedicated transformers which sounded superb.
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shaizada

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #13 on: August 12, 2015, 12:16:48 AM »
Donald, we need to get together sometime so I can hear what all audio mischief you have been up to!
If you need ANY beta testing for phono stages, I'll GLADLY help out  ahoy
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shaizada

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #14 on: August 12, 2015, 05:24:21 AM »
OK, I'm most likely picking up the 912 preamp and a Miyajima Zero Mono tomorrow!  Gonna be a long night  :)p1
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shaizada

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #15 on: August 24, 2015, 06:14:38 AM »
I need to update this thread!

The preamp had come in, but it was all black.  Wrong color combination as I ordered black handles, knobs and silver faceplate.  Well, that has been rectified over the weekend by the official USA EAR technician.  With my handy, but crappy low light phone picture, here is the result:

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ohhgourami

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #16 on: August 24, 2015, 06:17:47 AM »
I like your rack more than anything else :p
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shaizada

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #17 on: August 24, 2015, 06:25:03 AM »
Quote from: ohhgourami on August 24, 2015, 06:17:47 AM
I like your rack more than anything else :p

It holdzzz da goodzzz in place ;)
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Marvey

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #18 on: August 24, 2015, 06:27:34 AM »
Sooo... how often do you use the Chord DAC?  :P
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shaizada

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Re: EAR 912 Tube Preamplifier
« Reply #19 on: August 24, 2015, 06:36:13 AM »
Quote from: Merv on August 24, 2015, 06:27:34 AM
Sooo... how often do you use the Chord DAC?  :P

With all this vinyl, I barely listen to digital...digital just doesn't cut it anymore at any level.  It's "convenient" but that's just it ;)  Pardon the mess!  Picture makes it look way worse!



There was the LAOC meet today which I had to go to...ended up buying 13 new records today...I just couldn't resist...I'm pathetic!

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