CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Lobby => Head Amps, DACs, Sources, Portable Equipment Discussion => Topic started by: shaizada 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).
(http://www.hautefidelite-hifi.com/images/bancs_d_essai/PREAMPLI_AMPLI/EAR_YOSHINO_912/ear2.jpg)
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
-
p:8 Dayum, that is some serious signal routing.
-
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!
-
Oooo cool! I'd like to hear that!
-
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.
-
Great! Looking forward to hearing your gear. I'll very hesitantly drag my new amp over as I just sold the old one. :p
-
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. :)
-
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.
-
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?
-
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.
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh229/ZYXlover/IMG_5600.jpg)
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.
-
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!
-
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
-
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.
-
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
-
OK, I'm most likely picking up the 912 preamp and a Miyajima Zero Mono tomorrow! Gonna be a long night :)p1
-
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:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/726/20825626632_3f391bc695_c.jpg)
-
I like your rack more than anything else :p
-
I like your rack more than anything else :p
It holdzzz da goodzzz in place ;)
-
Sooo... how often do you use the Chord DAC? :P
-
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!
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/721/20843178281_a006b40589_c.jpg)
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!
-
I like your rack more than anything else :p
That's gotta rank high on the list of things not to say on a first date.
-
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!
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/721/20843178281_a006b40589_c.jpg)
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!
Your living the dream man, enjoy :)p5
-
Looks good! The QBD76 really sticks out in all that analog gear. One of these things is not like the others! :P
-
I like your rack more than anything else :p
I have so often wanted to say that.
-
That's gotta rank high on the list of things not to say on a first date.
I know! Glad you are home safely...come by again. There are a few more systems you need to hear.
Your living the dream man, enjoy :)p5
Hey bud! Analog dreams are for everyone :) I hadn't realized it until you JUST mentioned it, but you are right...truly is akin to living the dream. I'm truly appreciative to have been given the opportunity to listen and share this.
Looks good! The QBD76 really sticks out in all that analog gear. One of these things is not like the others! :P
Yes, ergonomically, it does stick out. Though, sonically it is very decent in my rig as well. Does some things that I like in the bottom end of the spectrum...I have no clue why Chord changed the sound so much with the Hugo and their current crop of Dacs...this QBD76HDSD version sounds quite nice and very different from all their current efforts. I've never heard the DAVE so no clue if that is truly a sonic successor to my model.
I have so often wanted to say that.
:P That rack has been a mainstay in my system...I should have shot myself for spending so much on the rack, but it has stayed with me for a few years now. Wish I can afford second one, but with a 3.5 year old daughter now, probably will not happen anytime soon. Still thankful that I have even ONE! This is the Stillpoints ESS rack, for anyone who cares to know.
-
Hey bud! Analog dreams are for everyone :) I hadn't realized it until you JUST mentioned it, but you are right...truly is akin to living the dream. I'm truly appreciative to have been given the opportunity to listen and share this.
ahoy
Hope everything is good man, how's the new arm working out
-
Where's my invite?
-
Sorry, shaizada is allergic to the HE6. :P
-
ahoy
Hope everything is good man, how's the new arm working out
All Iz Well! :) The new arm that Doc brought over from SF or the Helius Silver Ruby on the townshend? The Helius is running beautifully and singing it's heart out.
The brand new arm hasn't been coupled with a cartridge yet, so that is to be done yet.
Where's my invite?
Dude, come over next weekend! :) Does that work for you? :) MSG me and we can iron out the details. Maybe Marv and Luis can join us as well and we make a day of it. Even if they don't you are welcome over.
-
All Iz Well! :) The new arm that Doc brought over from SF or the Helius Silver Ruby on the townshend? The Helius is running beautifully and singing it's heart out.
the helius sounds cool but cant find anything besides whats on the website.
-
the helius sounds cool but cant find anything besides whats on the website.
It's not terribly well known! But take my word for it and/or listen for yourself! ;) One of the top tonearms at any price, and I've heard MANY MANY MANY.
Here is a review of the lower end Scorpio:
http://www.dagogo.com/helius-designs-scorpio-4-tonearm-review/2
More here:
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/clearaudio-innovation-wood-turntable-tas-204/
More here:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue43/quickies.htm
And here:
http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/messages/58/587287.html