EAR Phonobox = HORRIBLE

A few thoughts, but I’m just throwing spit on the wall abscent any further info.

First, your cartridge is a moving magnet, is it possible that it is connected to the moving coil input of the phono pre? There is a button on the back that is marked MM/MC and it should be in the MM position. This would absolutely explain it.

Have you put 20, or so, hours of use on the phono preamp?

Also, the input impedance of your preamp is 50K ohms and the lab test below, indicates the output impedance of the phono pre varies up to 6.4K though only on the bass. Although close, this diverges from the accepted 1:10 ratio. In my experience, 1:20 is actually preferred for optimizing dynamics.

Normally, an impedance mismatch would roll off the bass and squash dynamics, but audible effects can vary quite a bit. Although an interesting possibility, I don't think this is what is at play here.

The output of your cartridge is well matched to the gain of the phono pre, so IMHO that is not it.

Another thought, often a clearer component can allow us to hear previously obscured details in the source. Is it possible that your phonograph cartridge is not optimally aligned, particularly the VTA/SRA? I find it quite telling that you list all of your components with the exception of the phonograph and tonearm, so your touching life story is rather short on the detail that Lew was asking for. No?

https://www.hifinews.com/content/ear-phonobox-phono-mmmc-preamplifier-lab-report

Lew, as I said, it seemed unlikely that the impedance mismatch would cause the

On the EAR phono stage when low gain (MM) is selected the input impedance is fixed at 47K and cannot be changed, except by selecting high gain (MC) where the input impedance is, again, fixed at 470 ohms, set by adding a 1:10 transformer ahead of the tube stage.

OP, it is not a waste of anyone’s time as some of the suggestions will help the next person with issues. Everyone here was just trying to help. We have all done it, glad you got it sorted; that’s what it is all about. Enjoy the music.

First thing that I said, and Lew said, so great! 

No vitriol Lew, you are a great gent!