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Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamplifier (Tube) by rickjames

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REVIEW: Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamplifier (Tube)

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Model: MiniMax
Category: Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: $1195.00
Description: 3 tube linstage preamplifier
Manufacturer URL: Eastern Electric
Model Picture: View

Review by rickjames ( A ) on March 06, 2003 at 20:31:44
IP Address: 66.157.91.76
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for the MiniMax


I must be a lucky person. While hunting for a pair of Sylvania Gold Brand 5751’s for my Hovland HP100 preamp I met a wonderful gentleman, Bill O’Connell. Being the generous fellow he is, Bill offered to send me his stash of 5751’s to try out in my Hovland. My current in-house pre-amplifier has been the Hovland HP-100 for the last year. I’ve had numerous preamps come & go and the Hovland has still remained at the top.

During my e-mail exchanges with Bill regarding tubes, he mentioned that he had a unique preamp that had been custom made for him by Alex at Eastern Electric. It really intrigued me when he told me about the simplicity of its design and that it rivaled his Hovland HP100. When he offered to send me his personal preamp to audition I jumped at the chance. A few days later it arrived. When I opened the package out came this rather diminutive preamp. Surely this simple three tube preamp could not rival the sound of my Hovland!

After connecting Bill’s preamp to my Manley Reference 500 monoblocks, I gave the tubes a few hours of cooking time while I selected a variety of cd’s. I listen to all types of music so I picked a selection of everything from Alan Jackson to Duke Ellington. The tubes were glowing strong and my SACD’s and redbooks were ready to spin. Into the Sony SCD-1 went “The Duke” and I immediately I knew this preamp was special. I heard details of the performance that I did not know existed on many of these cd’s . The performance dynamics had my feet tapping with the pace I usually hear only with live music. The bass was powerful and tight and the midrange has that wonderful holographic presence which makes you feel “you are there”. The highs were smooth and extended without any harshness and the soundstage was as clear as any preamp I have heard.

I was very impressed and told Bill so. He also has a Hovland and reached the same conclusion about this terrific preamp that I did. Our conversations may have been what set the wheels in motion and Bill decided he was going to have this preamp manufactured and imported into the US. Within a few months five prototypes were built and sent to numerous audiophiles for comments. Life is good as I was one of the lucky people who received one to audition! A few months later I was sent the production model which is now called the Minimax (nothing mini here folks except the size).

I was still hanging onto my Hovland in denial that a relatively inexpensive preamp like the minimax could better its sound. Then I decided to try the Minimax with my other reference amp, the McIntosh MC2000 and the contest was over. High end at a bargain price???…enter the Minimax! The sound was amazing and I listened for hours enjoying some cd’s I couldn’t bear to listen to before. This new production model was more improved than the original prototype and brought my musical enjoyment to a new level. My Wilson Watt Puppy 6.0s portrayed a soundstage that I have never heard before. Deep and layered like you would hear during a live performance. I felt as though I could walk around the performers as each instrument and voice was distinct. I was also amazed at how natural audience applause sounded in my system on recorded live performances. I’ve always found applause usually sounds unnatural on many systems I have auditioned.

Ok, so I could go on and on raving about the Minimax. Here’s the best compliment I can pay to an exceptional preamp at a bargain price….I bought one!


Product Weakness: no mute and reverse switch
Product Strengths: Incredible dynamics and detail


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Mac MC200/Manley REF 500's
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Minimax/Hovland Hp100
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Sony SCD-1/Dodson DA217MKIID
Speakers: Wilson watt/puppy 6.0
Cables/Interconnects: Cardas, Alpha Core et.
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz, Classical, Rock &Country
Room Size (LxWxH): 20 x 20 x 12
Room Comments/Treatments: none
Time Period/Length of Audition: 4 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): None
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamplifier (Tube) - rickjames 20:31:44 03/6/03 ( 12)