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Short Review: EAR 834L & EAR 834P (The Anti Hi-Fi)

Posted by Rameish (A) on March 22, 2002 at 08:46:21

I bought the EAR 834P Signature and EAR 834 L pre-amp some 12 months ago. The stock tubes/valves in the EAR 834L are 2 Chinese made ECC82 (12AU7) and one Ei ECC83 (12AX7) while the EAR 834P came with three Ei ECC 83.
All tubes were relabled with the EAR logo. I did not expect much from these tubes and used Mullard CV4004 and CV 4003 in the appropriate positions. However, IN MY SYSTEM, it was much too warm. I have a smiple system now, The TT remains unchanged with the CEC 930 with AQ PT6 arm and Kimber TAK-AG. The CDP is now the Rotel RCD 971 (stock unit) connected to the pre with Kimber Select 1030 and the power amp is the humble Rotel RB 1050. Pre to Power IC are the Kimber Select 1020. And the phono to pre IC are Silver Streaks. The Tannoy R3 speakers and connected with Kimber 8 TC. Jumper cables are NAIM's state of the arc solid core. The whole rig is hooked up to power supply through a Change Lightspeed CLS 6400 using Space and Time (Quantum) power cords and Kimber Power Kords (older version).

Music via the Mullards was nice and warm but a little too atmospheric. Sounded like old tube gear. And as the system break in progressed the warmth only got warmer. (Comment: The Tannoys ane really warm speakers). After several tube substitutions (RFT ECC 82, Svetlana ECC83, Tesla ECC83, BB ECC82 etc), I switched back to the stock tubes and let them run in for about 100 hours non stop (at moderated volume). Then did a demag via Cardas record sweep and XLO's test CD.

The system was almost perfect for vocals but had a sweetness that didn't go down well with good old rock. Changing the 12AU7 to Orion ECC82 (nee Ei) was just the pep needed. Where warmth was called for it had it, you can just hear the reed in the Sax. It played well with Sara K (CDs) , Rebecca Pidgeon (CDs), Dianna Krell (CDs), Louis Armstrong and Ella (both CD and Vinyl), Stan Getz (Vinyl and CD), Chesky's Test CD and Sheffield Lab Test CDs. Further critical listening is being called for but right now I'm sticking to these 20 odd albums for a-b tests.

BTW the circuit board on the 834L is almost identical to the 834 P. It even has the word Phono Box 1998 printed on it?!?. Even the transformer looks the same though (same part number). All in all, I'm happy with the combo.

To all tubeaholics, sorry guys but I can't test the combo with a tube power amp as I now have a little baby that will soon be crawling around the little flat. So for the next 4 to 5 years it will have to be a covered up tube power amp or solid state. I prefer to see my tubes glow so I guess its solid state for now. Goodbye Luxman SQ38 Signature, Farewell Sun Audio 2A3, Sayonara Audio Note Conquest - there's a baby in the flat!

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Schiit Audio

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