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The Black Adder
03-09-2010, 16:34
Hello there.

I'm after a valve phono stage that can accept MC carts.

My budget is around £500. Has anyone got anything?

I've been looking in to the EAR834P so if anyone has one of these it could interest me.

Cheers
Joe

Ali Tait
03-09-2010, 16:51
Hi Joe,

See here-

http://www.world-designs.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=5734

You'd need the psu and phono.These are very good indeed.

The Black Adder
03-09-2010, 17:53
Thanks I'll take a look.... How do these compare (in general) with the Ear etc...?

Ali Tait
03-09-2010, 18:27
Blow it out of the water quite frankly IMO.I've heard both.No contest.

The Black Adder
03-09-2010, 20:20
hmm... they seem pretty well made too.

What do you think.. is it worth the exta £125 for the build? - I'm ok with a soldering iron but I don't know whats involved in the assembly.

The Black Adder
03-09-2010, 23:01
Oh No! - It seems WD are offline until Christmas and I can't wait that long.....ERK!

Ali Tait
04-09-2010, 07:40
I think these are already built.Just need to plug them in.

Ali Tait
04-09-2010, 07:43
From what I've heard,I think you'd have to spend a serious amount of money to better these.Make the chap an offer,you may get them within your budget.

DSJR
04-09-2010, 10:52
Another shout for the WD units, although in defense of the EAR units, I understand that they respond well to tube rolling as the basic circuit is fine.

My own experience of a number of EAR designs is that Tim has "voiced" them to be smooth toned to suit traditional valve-heads. Glenn Croft's designs are rather more neutral (no MC option though sadly) and sound like a good ss design without the grain that so many exhibit...

The Black Adder
04-09-2010, 12:36
Cheers Dave. I think I will try for the WD. I can't seem to get in touch with the guy who is selling one on the WD forum as the administrators are being really ssllooowww in registering me so Ali has kindly offered to get in touch on my behalf.

Yeah, the EAR innitially interested me and still does, as you said... if the circuit is good enough then the right tubes are the key.

Ali Tait
04-09-2010, 16:33
Hi Joe,tis done.

The Black Adder
04-09-2010, 16:36
Hey, many thanks matey!

I've just tried again and it seems to be allowing me to post now, so I'll send him a message too.

Thats really good of you, cheers!

:)

Ali Tait
04-09-2010, 16:46
No worries,glad to help. :)

The Black Adder
05-09-2010, 11:57
Still on the lookout - The guy sold the gear unfortunatly..

Still looking!

lurcher
05-09-2010, 12:10
Dave just posted on the WD site that the first thing they will be restocking is the phono and power supply, so maybe all hope is not lost.


if the circuit is good enough then the right tubes are the key

Without wanting to offend, that's a very important if. Yes, different valves can make a big difference, but silk purse and cows ear and all that. Also when changing valves in a phono stage, you have to be very careful the different valve anode resistance isnt just altering the RIAA response.

goraman
05-09-2010, 17:13
If you really want the very best...
http://www.manleylabs.com/containerpages/steelheadrc.html


This phono stage offers compleate controle over every aspect.

The Black Adder
05-09-2010, 18:09
lol.... bloody ell!!!.. I'm sure they are one of the best and at approx £3.5k I'd think so. :)

£400 - £500 is my budget

lurcher
05-09-2010, 19:58
You can make just as many changes to the WD phono as the Manley, you just need to use a soldering iron instead :-)

The Black Adder
05-09-2010, 20:32
It looks like the WD phono and SUT is the one to get... I just need someone wishing to sell one.

Ali Tait
05-09-2010, 20:33
Should be available from WD soon.

topoxforddoc
07-09-2010, 22:47
Still on the lookout - The guy sold the gear unfortunatly..

Still looking!

Black Adder,

Sorry, that was to me! It's now hooked up to my Garrott Bros Decca and making fine music. It's very good indeed, nearly as good as the in built phono stage (MC only) on my TRON Meteor pre-amp.

Best wishes,