What phono stages have you guys compared the EAR88pb with ? |
Opus88, I was referring to the higher voltage of all four PCC88/7DJ8 positions in EAR 88PB lighted up the 6922s with abnormal brightness and it sounded a bit strange(comparing to stock PCC88). I truly believe E88CC/6922s will shorten their lives in PCC88 positions as ascertained by Tim. Exotic NOS E88CCs generally cost much more than same brand of PCC88...it's simply not worth the try for prolonged use!!!
Please see another upcoming post here in A'gon "Interview with Tim de Paravicini" last year in which I talked to Tim face to face. Check the photo of my virtual system when I asked him whether we should use 6922 in PCC88/7DJ8 positions...his answer with his gesture!!!
I have never heard Tim uses 6922/6DJ8s in his top of the line products(912, 88PB, etc)which are only designed for PCC88/7DJ8, what is the source of your knowing? Please also read the above interview and let's clarify the issue.
VBR
Dan
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Dan: I'm not sure I follow you when you refer the higher voltage of the E88CC. That tube has less voltage than the PCC88(7 volts). You also say you tried the PCC88 in 6922 positions. Are you referring to 6922 positions in the EAR 88pb? Do you mean there are clearly designated separate 6922 positions as distinguished from 7DJ8/PC88 positions in the 88pb? I've neither seen nor heard anything that mentions this. All four tube sockets in the 88pb can be used with either 7DJ8/PCC88 tubes OR E88CC/6922/6DJ8 tubes. I've not had nor have I noticed any problems either way. I've also read that Tim Paravicini has indeed used 6922s in the 88pb. Personally, I prefer the 7DJ8s. |
Is anyone here using a external step up on the 324 on the mm mode ?
Lundahl, altec , hashimoto and Bob's Cinemag are what comes to my mind. Any experience with any of these on the 324 ?
Would it be too much gain if the cart had an output of .4mv to .6mv along w/ an external step up ? |
Tim de Paravicini don't recommend us to use 6DJ8/6922 in PCC88/7DJ8 positions or vice versa. For details, please see another post "Interview with Tim de Paravicini at High End Audio Show"
I had tried to put E88CC in my EAR 88PB after the interview. The higher voltage lighted up the tubes with abnormal brightness and sounded strange. I had also tried to put PCC88 in 6922 positions and the sound was just twisted. I wouldn't dare to keep it that way for too long.
Dan |
You're welcome, but a slight correction in the designation of the Telefunken: It's not PC88, but PCC88(aka 7DJ8 as I indicated above). |
OPuss88- thanks! i haven't nailed down with which phono stage I'll end up with but those are my shortlist.
I'm sure all are good and it boils down to preference on one's system. |
Nolitan: I think the Svetlana tubes that come stock with the 88pb are really pretty good sounding, but here are two fine alternatives that might satisfy: 1)The JJ Tesla 7DJ8s(my current favorites), which are balanced sounding and nicely detailed. Happily, they're also inexpensive and plentiful. 2)The Tungsram 7DJ8s, available from Tubemonger but over twice the price, are a bit more lively and dynamic than the Teslas, however, I personally find the Teslas somewhat smoother sounding and more naturally musical. I recommend you try both to see what suits your taste. Another possibility is the the Telefunken PC88/7DJ8. Very clean and detailed, but not my cup of tea. I don't hear music presented this way in the concert hall. I've also tried Mullard 6922s. They're at the opposite end of the spectrum from the Telefunkens---a bit too warm/rich. Finally, Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8s, but I didn't care for their slightly treble-ish personality in my system. Good luck, and I'd be curious to know what you settle on once you've tried any of these. |
what tubes have you guys used in your 88PB ? How are the stock tubes ? are they listenable ?
thanks guys! |
I don't believe in "too revealing".
YMMV |
Agree, the more we spend especially for higher models, the more revealing it becomes... sometimes too revealing to the point that it becomes somewhat analytical-revealing the flaws of your cart, arm, table , alignment,etc... |
"...88PB is as a whole lower in hum level and very stable for prolonged use as a tubed phono with more than 70dB. "
It must be stressed that it was tested with maximum output level without pick-up signal. The noise and hum level of 324 and 88PB are, in practice, still regarded as "very low" and no problem at all in normal sound pressure and listening position.
BTW, a monitor grade phono amp, I believe, should be able to reveal any subtle details and information picked up by the carts. Such as any inherent pre-echoes, whether the master is an analog or a digital one, any TT/arm/cart resonances affecting the reproductions, the conditions of the TT/arm/carts, any misalignment of arm/cart, the cart rebuild causing any change of sonic signature, etc.
Sometimes when we upgrade to a better phono, we need to upgrade the TT/arm/cart simultaneously with no guarantee of success(to one's ear). "Hear more" doen't necessarily mean "sound better". Hear less may be more acceptable.
Spend more money for sonic setbacks...it's a cruel story but sometimes it's true.
Dan |
I had an EAR 324 for a a few months. It was initially quite impressive - very quiet, great detail, dynamic. But after a while I found it unsatisfying - to my ears, it had a cold, metallic sound which I found rather un-musical, so I sold it. I also borrowed an 88PB which I found to have a similar tonal quality, although with a little more bloom. Again, though, I found it too cold sounding for my tastes. I have gone back to using my Exposure 13 phono stage (which has not been manufactured for about a decade), although it was much cheaper and perhaps less quiet, and certainly less flexible than the 324. It is, however, far more musical. |
I agree with Audiomax. Using external SUT for LOMC carts is not without disadvantages as we inevitably alter the minute capacitance and, especially, impedance loadings.
In brief, we have to use ultra low impedance cables/wires in order to minimize any negative effects on signal transmission. The ICs(I had to DIY one) to and from the SUTs also need to be as short as possible to maintain signal purity closer to the source.
Unfortunately, there are not much ultra low impedance cables/wires available for this purpose...limited choices bring limited fun for this hobby:)
When SUTs and phono are placed close to TT, interferences from motors and electronics may arise too...
Dan |
Agiaccio, you've highlighted the wrong EAR phono in your link. The 324 isn't a tube phono. |
Analog soul,
I have gone to that route with my MC cartridge but not with the EAR324's MM section. I like the overall sound more than going direct from MC phono stage. The sound is more neutral, pure and much quieter background. |
For me, the strength of EAR324 is the MM section.
Having the adjustment for PF & Capacitance of the MM section, anybody tried a low output cartridge with SUT and used the MM section of EAR324???? |
I was able to compare EAR 324(all solid state) and 88PB(a hybrid JET and tubes)in my system. It was rather close in overall tonality, detail retrieval... of course, they have some major differences and my findings are as follows:
1) without internal SUTs(I believe it's the major source of EAR's sonic signature), the MM sections are surprisingly "rather neutral" in tonality(on the contrary, if someone gets used to tube warm of EAR 834), not overly warm or colored(the MM section only), able to reveal the subtle details of different recordings, in respect of transparency(only the MM sections) they goes hand in hand.
2) 88PB is as a whole lower in hum level and very stable for prolonged use as a tubed phono with more than 70dB.
3) 88PB can offer a bit more real-life body of the acoustic instruments with a thin touch of tube warm.
4) 324 is never harsh or thin sounding.
5) 324 is the better choice for someone who owns a lot of MM carts.
6) 88PB is the best if we want to drive the power amp directly from phono with limited budget.
7) PCC88 proves to be much more stable, much quieter(in hybrid design)than ordinary 6DJ8/6922.
I heard ARC PH-7, Rhea & Janus, Audio Valve Sunilda, EAR 912, Nagra VPS, and many others. Each design approach has its strengths and weaknesses and also pretty much depend upon our budget.
I wish this may help...
VBR
Dan |
Check out this thread:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1285292632&&&/EAR-834P-Phono-Pre |
has anyone compared this to the Aestethix Rhea ? |
The EAR324 isn't warm like a tube phono nor does it have the bloom around the notes that a good tube phono will have but it is still very musical and extremely dynamic and revealing. I owned mine for years and was very satisfied with it, but decided to try a ARC PH-7 to go with my ARC Ref 5. The ARC is a little more musical, but I could give it up for the EAR324; it was that good. Don't be confused by all the loading choices on the EAR324 as most of those are for a MM cartridge input. The choices for MC are few; three loading choices and volume control option on knob on far right and that is it. |
