EAR amplifier search

[jostber]

As I have been pondering lately on buying some gear from EAR, like a preamplifier and more, I tried to search for this in the forum, but did not get any results. Is is possible to use the search function to search for "EAR"?

[The Grand Wazoo]

You could try that & also maybe try searching for Tim de Paravicini and Esoteric Audio Research - that should bring up something too.

[jostber]

Thanks, will try that. Did not get any results for just EAR. Might be a four word limit for searches on the forum.

[Alex_UK]

Might be a four word limit for searches on the forum.

I think that is the problem. Not sure if it can be overcome - Nick (Beechwoods) will probably be able to answer that one.

[DSJR]

Great stuff, well built and it'll see you out probably, it's so reliable and long lasting. Sadly, the UK prices are hideously OTT, having all but doubled in recent years I think.

Despite all this, Tim seems to know a thing or two about amp design, as I understand he's done so much good stuff for Musical Fidelity over the years, solid stste, nu-vista and valve too - their basic designs were good, put it that way ;)

[jostber]

Great stuff, well built and it'll see you out probably, it's so reliable and long lasting. Sadly, the UK prices are hideously OTT, having all but doubled in recent years I think.

Despite all this, Tim seems to know a thing or two about amp design, as I understand he's done so much good stuff for Musical Fidelity over the years, solid stste, nu-vista and valve too - their basic designs were good, put it that way ;)

Thanks, I have been looking at the preamplifier 868L where I can get a good offer. Was looking at their Acute CD player as well, but that might be a bit OTT price wise.

[doodoos]

8L6 is very good. Had one for a few years. Plenty of gusto

[jostber]

Here is a true fan of the Acute. Would be tempting to get this one, might do if I get a good buy.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue54/ear_acute.htm

[montesquieu]

Here is a true fan of the Acute. Would be tempting to get this one, might do if I get a good buy.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue54/ear_acute.htm

I have owned an Acute CDP and it is every bit as good as it says here - no input to the DAC is a bummer though.

I also had a V20 integrated and have regretted selling it ever since.

Also had an MC3 phono stepup which was pretty good for the dosh and heard lots of other kit including 834L preamp and 509 Power amps - the latter very good with speakers that need a bit of oomph, very punchy for a valve amp though not the most subtle beast around - the V20 sounds better if you can live with only 20w push-pull.

I'm not a fan of the EAR 834P in standard form, there are better phono stages out there for less (eg Pure Sound P10) but it can be improved hugely by modding. Likewise not entirely crazy about the single ended 859 (go for a World Designs at half the price).

This points up a problem in that Tim de P looks only at specification and uses cheap components a lot of the time - my V20 was transformed by some better resistors and a bit of attention to components in the PSU, all without changing any of the values

The Japanese, Koreans etc have gone mad for his stuff and he has more than doubled some of his prices - my V20 for example listed at under £3000 when it came out but is the thick end of seven grand now. Good as it was, I can think of better ways for seven grand. £1200 for the EAR834P with a silver faceplate is pretty silly too when the originals in plain black were £300 (and better sounding, better made phono stages like the Pure Sound are available for £600).

Still, that's the market for you, I guess the workforce up in Huntingdon have limited capacity, so the calculation must be to put the prices up to balance out demand. Why break your neck to make lots of stuff cheap if you can get away with making less stuff for more money?

[StuN]

I also run a V20 in standard form and can highly recommend it. It may be only 25wpc but I've never run out of power and it makes my NS1000Ms sing!

[jostber]

Here is a true fan of the Acute. Would be tempting to get this one, might do if I get a good buy.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue54/ear_acute.htm

Seems like I get can get the CD player and the preamp for a good price so it might be the way to go.

[topoxforddoc]

Jostein,

If you're looking for a British top quality valve preamp/power amp, then have a close look at TRON (www.tron-electric.co.uk). These are hand built by Graham Tricker, the designer, and no-one else. Sound quality is on a par with Kondo, prices are real world for high end amplifiers and build quality is fabulous. Only top quality components including custom made exotic core transformers and bespoke capacitors etc.

They have a cult following in the USA and Asia, even though prices there are higher than in the UK and Europe. You can always call Graham (+44 1895 833099) to discuss things and he is available on the phone 7 days a week!

Each amplifier is built to order, so you can specify extras if you wish. Later, you can also have the amplifier upgraded to newest spec. His amplifiers are like Savile Row suits - bespoke, beautifully made and of the highest quality.

Here are a couple of reviews of his entry level Seven and top end Syren preamps.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/tron3/seven.html
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/tron/syren.html

Here's a photo of the inside of my TRON Meteor preamp (predecessor of the Syren)
http://topoxforddoc.zenfolio.com/p25034437/h32a36fef#h32a36fef

Best wishes,
Charlie
www.charlie-chan.co.uk

[Neil McCauley]

Hi. Somewhere in here > http://stereonow.blogspot.com/p/january-2011.html you'll find my positive observation re EAR amplification despite the fact I wasn't a retailer for them. Hope it might help. Sincerely, Howard Popeck.


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[jostber]

Hi. Somewhere in here > http://stereonow.blogspot.com/p/january-2011.html you'll find my positive observation re EAR amplification despite the fact I wasn't a retailer for them. Hope it might help. Sincerely, Howard Popeck.


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That is an interesting interview, thanks.

[jostber]

Have invested in the EAR 868L preamp and EAR Acute CD player today, together with some Vandersteen speakers and new interconnects and speaker cables. A couple of days ago I also invested in a 211 Heaven valve power amp, so this should qualify as a complete upgrade, except for my Technics TT and phono stage that are high quality stuff from before. Looking forward to putting it all together in some days. :)

[Elzar]

So have EAR products increased faster than other brands. Was there any comment from the mfr about justifying it?

[jostber]

So have EAR products increased faster than other brands. Was there any comment from the mfr about justifying it?

Well, I got everything at a nice discount so that made the prices look nicer. :)

[Elzar]

Aye it does help lol