Tube Phonostage help

i can strongly reccomend the E.a.r. but i think 0.8 or more will overload the input of the 834p or (because of the strong signal) the input of the following amplifier as happened with my Benz M2 (0.8 mV). i had to trim down the volume on the E.a.r. to keep my Gryphon Tabu from distorting.

i also have a ARC PH5 wich is miles ahead of the E.a.r....and the PH5 is supposed to be better than the PH3 SE...but the PH3 SE may be better than the E.a.r. you have to try.

i tried the MM position on the E.a.r. but in my system the MC position caused a more meaty, colorful sound wich i liked better. and before the benz wood i had also a first generation ACE Low wich was a good match with the E.a.r...but if you go for a low output model a Benz L2 would also be worth a try...

an MC cart see´s an impedance of 400 Ohms via E.a.r. step up transformers wich is good for ACE L and M as well as L2 and M2...even my Ruby 2 sounds fine with 400 Ohm over the E.a.r....i had a M2 long time running on the E.a.r. and can tell that it´s a meaty dynamic and really colorful sounding combination...there are just here and there problems with overloading the following amp because of the 67 db gain of the E.a.r. and the high output of the M2 0.8 mV...but in my case it only occured when playing really loud 12"´s on 45 upm...i would go for an L2 or an ACE Low wich is a wonderful sounding combination with the E.a.r. and the resulting volume should also be more than enough...

by the way 400 ohms of the E.a.r. is a good value for a lot of other carts...if necessary you can have lower values while using Y adapters and RCA plugs with resistors of the appropriate value soldered in...i did the same when i had my ACE Low running but i liked the 400 ohm more than lower values. and dont be fooled of the simple construction and low price of the E.a.r. it has a rightness and musicality wich is hard to beat.