Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: EICO ST-84 Amplifier (Tube) by Richard CWY

Model:	ST-84
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$200
Description:	EICO ST-84 pre-amp
Manufacturer URL:	EICO
Model Picture:	View

Review by Richard CWY ( A ) on February 18, 2003 at 01:58:20
IP Address: 202.128.225.3

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for the ST-84

I had a typo in paragraph (d) under 'Circuit' of my last report:
d) A 75V potential is applied to the 6.3V AC heater supply - this was
a newer concept to EICO engineers as such a circuit was NOT found in
other 'HF' series pre-amps (HF-85 & HF-61), and NOT in the pre-amp
section of HF-81. But the HF-65 has this circuit design (therefore,
HF-65 was designed well after HF-61 and HF-85 in the 'HF' series?).
In this paragraph, "HF-65" should be reade as "ST-84".
As I re-checked the schematics of HF-61, I found it also has a floading +ve potential connected to the centre tap of the hum control pot of the AC heater supply. So, ST-84 is not the first EICO which used this circuitry. After months of listening to this pre-amp at home and at hifi parties that I brought it to, I found ST-84 is the best sounding EICO pre-amp and is reckoned by my friends to have an excellent overall tonality compared to other vintage and modern tube pre-amps. Again, grasp it if you can! :)
Richard

Product Weakness: Nil
Product Strengths: Excellent overall toality

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	-
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	-
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	-
Speakers:	-
Cables/Interconnects:	-
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	-
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	-
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

Product Weakness:	Nil
Product Strengths:	Excellent overall toality