Originally Posted by
montesquieu
Andrew is correct, the step-up transformers in the 868PL (I assume this is the model) are the same as those in EAR's MC3 step-up (three ratios available 1:10, 1:20 and 1:10) and are decent quality indeed the MC3 used to sell for about £1000 on its own before it was replaced by the MC4.
It's the step-up transformers in the EAR 834P phono stage that people tend to dismiss and in general I would agree with them, it's an entry level product that while fairly competent has been pumped up in price way beyond any justification. (I think when it came out, the base MM version used to sell for under £300, it's about treble that now).