EAR 834P or Quad QC24 w/ phono

Mushy mushy oh so mushy. Like mashed potatoes. 

I never had the opportunity to listen to EAR preamp, but I have a phono preamp QC24-P.

This unit is very nice from outside, very flexible for any MM or MC carts.

But when I had to open the unit to check if I can find why there is suddenly a strange hum, I found some very cheap components (especialy the RCA connectors, and impossible to upgrade them) and everything is on an electronic circuit without any possibilities to fix it. We are far from the quality of a pair of good old QUAD II !

So I had to send my preamp to QUAD after-sale service. I'm waiting for one and half year now. They sent it back to me two times, but two times it was still not working. I paid allready for their job, but now they want more money to repair the unit...

So if you want to avoid troubles, don't buy QUAD !

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?

HI i have a E.A.R. 324 phono pre amp ,very heavy for its size. , i am using it with a chord 3200E pre amp and a rotel RB5000 POWER AMP .i cant describe the quality of the music from my cheap denon DP 1200 turntable .if i were you i would wait save a little more money .you will enjoy the E.A.R , NOT TO MANY PEOPLE KNOW OF CHORD BUILT LIKE A ROCK MY SPEAKERS ARE NOTHING FANCY THE OLD TAD TZ9 REFERENCEE ELITE. I GIVE ALL THE CREDIT TO THE E.A.R. PHONO PRE AMP enjoy

OK, I have the Quad 24P running a Shelter 901 into a Modwright Preamp driving a VAC PA100/100.

I have never heard the Ear but it was on my short list when I bought the Quad. I am very happy with the Quad. It is adjustable and offers MM/MC capability. The Shelter offers plenty of gain for the unit.

It is actually a tube phono pre as it uses a very long life(100,000 hour) pencil tube triode developed (supposedly) for ICBM guidence systems in the 60's. The tube is hardwired and not "rollable".

You will have to audition both, or others, to make an informed choice. I made a leap, figuring I could sell it later, and have been fully satisfied after a considerable break-in period. It killed my PH-3. I was happy out of the box but it has become much warmer with break-in. My only complaint is that it can be a little noisy if you have it living near other components. Not a problem for me once it was located and adjusted properly.

The volume control is supposed to be very well made if you desire to run it directly to your speakers or preamp.

Both are a Tim Paravici (sp?) designed units. I am told the EAR needs some extensive mods beofre it really shines. That may factor into your decision as it did mine.