[Wanted] EAR 834P

[guero]

Anyone have a mm/ mc EAR 834p they are willing to move on? Condition is, of course, important and a volume control is preferred in my setup.

[Floyddroid]

Rare as rocking horse sh1t. I think the informed are keeping hold of them.

[Floyddroid]

Bloody nightmare the subject of phono stages.

[maverick2000]

Anyone have a mm/ mc EAR 834p they are willing to move on? Condition is, of course, important and a volume control is preferred in my setup.as Steve said and going up in 2nd price all the time, you won't lose money!
There are a few about on eBay but Signature versions are quite rare indeed as Steve says.

My personal recommendation is to prioritise the volume control if you need it, while the MC input is OK a standalone SUT will sound much better (I use a T10 to wonderful effect, but it weighs more than the EAR!), I realise that this may look like a stretch of the budget but it may be overall cheaper if you get hit with import duty :rolleyes:

Also, valve rolling is worthwhile in V1 and V3 (leave V2 alone)

my 2p worth, good luck!

[hifi_dave]

On my website www.radlettaudio.co.uk is a mint 834p with just a few hours use but not with a volume control.

[walpurgis]

Anyone have a mm/ mc EAR 834p they are willing to move on? Condition is, of course, important and a volume control is preferred in my setup.

Any particular reason you want one? They are poor value second hand these days.

[southall-1998_mk2]

Any particular reason you want one? They are poor value second hand these days.

Just imagine if Tim De Paravicini read your post, ouch!

S.

[maverick2000]

Any particular reason you want one? They are poor value second hand these days.

odd comment, they are now going for more 2nd hand than I paid for my minty one with 2 sets of spare valves from a dealer 3 years ago

[maverick2000]

Just imagine if Tim De Paravicini read your post, ouch!

S.:lol:

[walpurgis]

odd comment, they are now going for more 2nd hand than I paid for my minty one with 2 sets of spare valves from a dealer 3 years ago

Why would it be odd? I was asking the OP a question...............and also you've corroborated my last point.

[maverick2000]

Why would it be odd? I was asking the OP a question...............and also you've corroborated my last point.

Slight misunderstanding here - I took your comment that they weren't good value as a phono stage e.g. better modern designs

Also, I do think that Shane read it the same way maybe, perhaps if you'd qualified your post with why you think they are poor value we'd have understood better, e.g. "with 2nd hand prices rising better can be had for less money for example a valve based model X or Y"

FYI current equivalent of my model is £1,200 new and I paid £545 delivered with extra valves, I think perhaps +£200 more now 2nd hand for same as mine.

[guero]

Well, they have an excellent reputation and I am guessing might be a good match for my system. The volume pot and mc option would allow me to ditch my current pre and streamline things.

[maverick2000]

Chris,
do consider the SUT option, I have tried both and IMHO the transformers in the EAR are not its best feature. If you want to hear the difference before buying you are welcome to come over, I'm in Huddersfield so not too far, provide lunch & coffee and I'll even consider coming to you with my EAR and T10 SUT :lol:
PM if interested.

[walpurgis]

Yes, I'd certainly hear one before buying if possible. The built in SUT's on the MM/MC version are a bit undistiguished to say the least. I used a separate external high quality Japanese SUT with mine, it made a huge difference. Basically, what I'm sayng is you might as well get the MM version and run a separate SUT.

I'd sum up my experience with the 834P as pleasant, but I do think its abilities are may not be up to the expectations of some. The bass is not that defined or deep, the mid and top are pleasantly 'valvey' though.

I'll upset EAR fans now, by saying that out of curiosity I bought a Graham Slee Era V Gold to try with my SUT and to be honest, it wiped the floor with the 834P. Bass was more extended and better defined, mid transparency, depth and detail were notably better and the top was perfectly clean. I sold the EAR soon afterwards.

[Firebottle]

There are some good 834 clones kits on the market now though these can be tweaked with a few component changes.

I have also done some tweaks on a real EAR 834 that improved it.

[maverick2000]

There are some good 834 clones kits on the market now though these can be tweaked with a few component changes.

I have also done some tweaks on a real EAR 834 that improved it.

yes you mentioned the tweaks in our room at Kegworth, you'll remember that you took the top off my mate's FB stage to see its serial # :)
I'm still interested in tweaks

[Wakefield Turntables]

There are some good 834 clones kits on the market now though these can be tweaked with a few component changes.

I have also done some tweaks on a real EAR 834 that improved it.

Yep I've got a clone and Alan tweaked that further still. Very decent!

[Opti-cal]

There are some good 834 clones kits on the market now though these can be tweaked with a few component changes.

I have also done some tweaks on a real EAR 834 that improved it.

Alan has "tweaked" my 834 Clone. With carefully selected valves it really does sound the business. It's an MM only version but I use an SUT and it knocks some expensive equipment out the park.

[Wakefield Turntables]

A couple of threads for you

https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?56606-EAR834p-Clone-FIREBOTTLE-modded-THE-REVIEW!&highlight=EAR+834P+CLONE

https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?52414-Latest-Project-EAR-834P-CLONE&highlight=EAR+834P+CLONE

Might give you a little food for thought.

I later had Alan add additional ability to change cartridge loading capacitance via RCA loading plugs on the back of the Clone. I still own the Clone and have no intention of selling!!

[guero]

Chaps, you are all as helpful as ever and have given me plenty to think about. Hope you all have a good one this year!

[maverick2000]

and you, my offer stands in the NY as well

[Richardl]

http://xelectrical.com/item/EAR-834-P-13194.


Sent from my LG-H930 using Tapatalk