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EAR 912 impression

To continue my previous thread on Ayre and DartZeel combo, I stumbled across EAR 912 full function pre amp.

Stereophile and Postive Feedback had both reviewed the pre and Positive Feedback gave it the highest recommendation. I am not crazy about the styling, but I like it better than ARC Ref 3 by a mile. EAR also offers flexible input and output, the output is wired with tranny which is very rare in high end audio pre if not unique. Phono section is also super flexible.

I heard it in a system that was completely new to me and system consisted of Gryphon Colosseum, Gryphon Mirage, Viola CDP, and Gryphon Atlantis. The room was filled with gears and speakers, I did not have any CD I was familiar with either. Compared to Gryphon Mirage, Mirage was a tad more transparent, soundstage was a bit wider, and that was all I could make out. EAR did not have as much air as I expected, I also thought the top end extension could be improved but the machine was stone cold. Bass and dynamic extension were like what Positive Feedback described, big and bold. Midrange, like bass, was ready to jump out and had plenty of details.

I really could not make out more in that 20 min of audition. Since I am still on my oversea assignment, I don't have my main system with me to compare to (SF Line 3SE+). What are your opinions of this fine pre amp? How does the phono stage compares to SOTA phono like Einstein, BAT VK-P10SE, or ASR?

Any input is appreciated.
semi

Showing 2 responses by semi

semi OP
649 posts
 
So you will place EAR 912 in the same category as Dartzeel? I will buy the Dartzeel combo if Dartzeel offers more power, but for 100wpc I am afraid my speaker choices are limited in the future. Also, Dartzeel pre seems to work better with Dartzeel amp using the BNC wire, I will be "stuck" with Dartzeel amp if I go with Dartzeel pre.

If EAR offers 95% of the performance, I will be happy to try EAR for a lot less money. contrary to you, dynamic is not the most important aspect to me. instead, liquid, transparent, and detail are and that's why I prefer a tube pre over the years. I know EAR 912 can run on 6922, maybe it will "improve" if I put in some NOS 6922?
semi OP
649 posts
 
Thanks for the clarification.

I read some of your threads and answers, I know you have lots of experiences in ultra high end league. Is there another pre you will recommend in this price range more than EAR 912? I asked because I have an excellent phono pre, Einstein XLR (as well as BAT VK-P10SE), and I can go for a line stage instead. I am not opposing the idea of a good full function pre and sell the Einstein to free up cash, but I suspect the phono in EAR is not as good as Einstein (and not too many phono is).
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