2. analog
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EAR 834P or Quad QC24 w/ phono

Hello, all. I have a question regarding a dedicated analog rig that I am putting together.

My turntable is a Rega P25 w/ RB600 tonearm, equipped with a Benz Gold (LOMC). Speakers are 12L Actives (built-in 909 current-dumping amplifier).

I want to place some tubes in the mix, through either a tube phono preamp or a tube linestage w/ ss phono card.

I can plug a phono preamp directly into the active speakers as long as it has a volume control. The EAR 834P does, and it is a great reputation.

However, for far fewer dollars, I could get the QC-24 tube preamp with a built-in ss phono stage. Given that my active speaker are also Quad, this combination may have a better synergy.

Certainly the latter setup offers more flexibility (although I will likely never add other sources) for a cheaper price. But the EAR setup runs my analog signal directly into tubes (except for the step-up, I think).

I won't have the opportunity to compare the components, so I'd like to hear some opinions. What are the benefits of a tube phono preamp (running directly into the amp) versus a tube linestage with a phono card?

Thanks.
johnbender

Showing 1 response by johnbender

johnbender OP
29 posts
 
Well, that's two votes for a tube phono directly into the amp/active speakers. I guess that I'll also have to consider the QC-24P, in addition to the EAR. It's considerably more $$$ and rarely available used, but it might be worth the look.

I think I read somewhere that the EAR is antithetical to the Rega, insofar as it does not excel at timing but throws a huge soundstage and is rather euphonic. I don't know if this is true and will have to audition myself (I think I found a dealer a few hours away where I can give a listen, instead of going on reputation alone).

Thanks for your input. Others?
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