Dear Rossb: +++++ " Again, this comparison was made using my equipment, my ears and my preferences... " +++++
almost everything is system/ears/priorities dependent when we are comparing audio items.
I heard the Enstein in three different systems ( one of that system was the great one at Fcrowder place. ) and the EAR too and IMHO the Einstein is way better that the EAR: has a better tonal balance ( top to bottom ), neutral/less colorations, lower noise/distortions, very good at both frequency extremes ( better than the EAR ), is fast on transients, has no SUT , etc, et. Is it the best out there? certainly not but is very good.
IMHO your EAR combination is highly colored and its overall frequency response/distortions/noise/RIAA accuracy/channel balance against the Einstein is truly bad.
The " liquid " sound that you are hearing through the EAR combination is real and heavy distortions due to the own EAR design, the additional MC4 and additional cable and connectors .
Yes, you like all those EAR distortions/colorations and this is what it matters more because you are the one that must live with it but IMHO the Einstein put you near to the recording where the EAR combination put you far away from the recording.
+++++ " Nevertheless, I hope it may be a useful data point for anyone contemplating buying any of the phono stages mentioned above. " +++++
IMHO I don't think seriously ( with all respect ) that your comparison really could help to almost any one to make a choice in favor of the EAR over the Einstein but I can be wrong.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
almost everything is system/ears/priorities dependent when we are comparing audio items.
I heard the Enstein in three different systems ( one of that system was the great one at Fcrowder place. ) and the EAR too and IMHO the Einstein is way better that the EAR: has a better tonal balance ( top to bottom ), neutral/less colorations, lower noise/distortions, very good at both frequency extremes ( better than the EAR ), is fast on transients, has no SUT , etc, et. Is it the best out there? certainly not but is very good.
IMHO your EAR combination is highly colored and its overall frequency response/distortions/noise/RIAA accuracy/channel balance against the Einstein is truly bad.
The " liquid " sound that you are hearing through the EAR combination is real and heavy distortions due to the own EAR design, the additional MC4 and additional cable and connectors .
Yes, you like all those EAR distortions/colorations and this is what it matters more because you are the one that must live with it but IMHO the Einstein put you near to the recording where the EAR combination put you far away from the recording.
+++++ " Nevertheless, I hope it may be a useful data point for anyone contemplating buying any of the phono stages mentioned above. " +++++
IMHO I don't think seriously ( with all respect ) that your comparison really could help to almost any one to make a choice in favor of the EAR over the Einstein but I can be wrong.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.