hi all,
i just put a solid 44 hours into my new EAR 834P Signature phono stage this weekend.
this is the model with the volume control and the black case.
let it run for a solid 30 hours from friday evening 20:00
listened to music for about 20 of it, a lot in the backround of course.
i thought it would be good to give it a short break, do shut it off for about 6 hours.
then i let it run for the last 14, listenning to music for all but the the last 2 of them.
i have to say that it has been a rollercoaster ride.
i have heard the treble being over the top to being shy as a virgin.
the midrange bein hollow and dumpf to very articulate.
bass being earthquake like to being a shadow of what it once was.
i have no idea what this thing sounds like! :crazy:
detail is good and i have the feeling it will not be to bright.
warmth is there but it wont be euphonic i think.
changed the cables once, and heard the difference right away.
still using the same TT, the Thorens TD 320 MK III with TP 90 tonearm and Denon DL 300 cartridge with boron cantilever and FGII diamond thanks to HR Lukaschek owner of Benz Micro cartridges.
i cant shake the feeling that it will need about 100 hours to settle in.
i could be that i need to get it onto a stable power supply, which opens the question of whether the power supply is large and stable enough.
turned it off again to let it rest, and so i can think of what to change in the set up.
it is totally stock with the original valves, but i will need to change to mil-spec valves soon.
the gain is more than enough, and had to turn the volume down a bit so the volume control could be in its best working zone.
updates to follow.
comments are more than welcome.
regards,
bastlnut
i just put a solid 44 hours into my new EAR 834P Signature phono stage this weekend.
Feb 18, 2013 EAR 834P First impressions. I had thought that I was getting a second hand unit but in fact got a new unit that had been on display. As seen in the picture it is the Deluxe model with Chrome Face Plate and Gold Plated on/off Switch.
this is the model with the volume control and the black case.
let it run for a solid 30 hours from friday evening 20:00
listened to music for about 20 of it, a lot in the backround of course.
i thought it would be good to give it a short break, do shut it off for about 6 hours.
then i let it run for the last 14, listenning to music for all but the the last 2 of them.
i have to say that it has been a rollercoaster ride.
![Ear 834p Manual Ear 834p Manual](http://img.usaudiomart.com/uploads/large/450395-ear_834p_tube_phono_stage.jpg)
the midrange bein hollow and dumpf to very articulate.
bass being earthquake like to being a shadow of what it once was.
i have no idea what this thing sounds like! :crazy:
detail is good and i have the feeling it will not be to bright.
warmth is there but it wont be euphonic i think.
changed the cables once, and heard the difference right away.
still using the same TT, the Thorens TD 320 MK III with TP 90 tonearm and Denon DL 300 cartridge with boron cantilever and FGII diamond thanks to HR Lukaschek owner of Benz Micro cartridges.
i cant shake the feeling that it will need about 100 hours to settle in.
i could be that i need to get it onto a stable power supply, which opens the question of whether the power supply is large and stable enough.
turned it off again to let it rest, and so i can think of what to change in the set up.
it is totally stock with the original valves, but i will need to change to mil-spec valves soon.
the gain is more than enough, and had to turn the volume down a bit so the volume control could be in its best working zone.
updates to follow.
comments are more than welcome.
regards,
bastlnut
SirSpeedy, I can understand the choice you and your listening friends made. I had a fully modified 834P when I bought my Aesthetix Rhea (used) and it was quite remarkable how well that little black box did when A/B'd against the Rhea. Especially for MM cartridges. I think it could use better step-ups for MC's. BTW, Stltrains, Mitch did my modifications as well. He remarked that at that time it was the most extensive mods he had done to the 834P.
EAR 834P phono preamplifier Measurements. Sidebar 3: Measurements. The EAR 834P we received from Bob Reina arrived defective (it had extremely low gain). Download and Read Now Ear Yoshino 534 Amps Owners Manual Ear Yoshino 534 Amps Owners Manual What do you do to start reading ear. Sidebar 3: Measurements. The EAR 834P we received from Bob Reina arrived defective (it had extremely low gain). Since he'd clearly had no problem with it, we can only assume that it was damaged in shipment. EAR sent us a second, more recent sample. It was slightly different from the original unit: The front-panel level.
I still have a little baggy with all of the resistors and caps he changed out. The best thing it has going for it is that the circuit is very simple. Many DIY'ers have built their own units with outboard, dual power supplies and such using that circuit. My vote is the GCPH. I have had both the Ear 834P and now have the PS Audio GCPH.
For me its hands down for the GCPH; better sound and better flexibility. My 834P seemed to lack depth relative to what I heard from the GCPH. Kick Video Songs Free Download High Quality 1080p.
The Ear was good but for my taste the GCPH is better. I also appreciate the ability to use the GCPH gain control as a volume control and bypass the rest of my system for pure analog sound. Even when I did not bypass my system I appreciatted the GCPH and it wasn't even 'broken in' yet. My table is a SOTA Nova V vacuum, Origin Live Incognito arm, Shelter 90x cart.
The GCPH fit quite nicely to this gear, offering plenty of easy adjustability depending upon what I wished to hear and as to how I wished to set my VTA according to the type of music I was into at the moment. Just when I was getting happy with my phono preamp I found a good deal on a new Art Audio Vinyl One (tubes). The Vinyl One sells new for about 3 times what the GCPH does so it should and does sound better on my system. I like it better than both the other units mentioned although I probably did not give the GCPH a fair audition as it is not 'broken in' yet with about 20 hours of play time on it.
It goes up for sale as soon as I have a chance to post it. It's a disease this audiophile stuff.
Dan,I was not at the comparison,but was told about it,recently.I don't want to take anything away from the Aesthetix stuff,which has always sounded fine to me. BTW--Just got(Friday)my cute little stylus pressure guage,we see advertised on Audiogon,these days.A few of my pals got it too,as I've mentioned,but I got to re-set my pal's arm with it.Truthfully,it is very accurate,and incredibly easy to use.We compared it to my friend's Winds guage,and it was 'almost' exact.Close enough to not be a problem(actually within 6/100 gms).Who knows which guage is really the more accurate,so a good deal for 95 bucks. My only concern is that it looks to be a bit cheaply made.I would have been glad to pay another fifty bucks,to have a higher quality plastic/fit and finish.The measuring tray is 'tin' thin,but the owners manual actually claims that aspect,as some kind of selling point.Maybe it equates to more accuracy.Of course if it lasts as long as I hope,than my criticisms are moot!! Stltrains, If the two units are that close now I can assure you that moding the 834p will take it way beyond where it is now. There are actually several sources for mods.
There was a thread not too long ago on the topic of modding the 834p, so do a search and it should come up easily. One thing you might consider with either unit is how easily is it to change loading. An outboard step-up might just be the ticket and would probably be a good improvement over the stock trannies. BTW, is that the 834p model with or without the volume control? SriSpeedy, thanks for the report back on the guage. That really sounds promising.
I've got a few more months until I have analog again so I'll see if you have any trouble in the mean time. I hope I didn't come off as defensive in my comments about the Rhea/834p. They both have their own strengths and weaknesses.
These days I'm starting to rethink my approach to audio reproduction and wish I still had my little black box to do some experimenting with. I have heard about using the sst on the pins. Just be careful to put it only where you want it, it is very conductive. As for dampener, check out Herbies. Www.herbiesaudiolabs.com I was skeptical, but they do work and Steve is a great person to deal with. YOu can trust his recommendation.
I think the new issue JJ Tesla is a very good tube. Also the new Tung Sol and Sovtek LPS. None are more than $20 and probably less. Just get them selected for low noise. I don't think it is necessary to pay for matching with the 834P, but I could be wrong here.
IME it really doesn't pay to spend big dollars on rare NOS tubes unless you have really deep pockets or some special vintage equipment.