Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Eastern Electric Avant Preamplifier (Tube) by couger4u

Model:	Avant
Category:	Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$1400
Description:	Tube Preamplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Eastern Electric
Model Picture:	View

Review by couger4u on June 22, 2013 at 08:57:16
IP Address: 24.90.45.8 Add Your Review
for the Avant

This is the second tube preamp I have, first was Audible Illusions L2B and I still have it. This has a remote, 3 RCA inputs and one XLR. 1 Tape output, 2 RCA and one XLR outputs. It uses 2x12AX7, 5x12AU7 and 1x6X4. Gain control Knob and phase in/out switch. When you open up Avant everything is laid out so neatly that you want to keep looking at it.
A little history why I wanted another preamp. I wanted to change my preamp as I was getting a hum with my AI L2B and nothing I did changed that so I was thinking it is the preamp and I could not be more wrong in my assessment as I am still getting the hum albeit lower than AI. I found out that it is actually the wiring in my apt.
So I bought the EE Avant and I was pleasantly surprised. The bass is much better than AI and more controlled. The midrange on AI is a little more sweeter but EE is no slouch in this regard. Big soundstage better than AI and top end is not rolled off which I thought is the case with AI but as there is not much you can do about tube rolling in AI but with EE you can do so to your heart's desire and that can make a difference.
I tried RCA and Philco 6X4 tubes but liked Tung-Sol in that position much better. I want to try Brimar 6X4 but it will have to wait a few months. I also tried Mullard new sensor 12AX7 and Tung-Sol reissue 12AX7 and immediately liked Tung-Sol. Mullard was good but to me it it was not musical enough for my taste. Tung-Sol had more bass and 3D imaging and top end was good enough and then hearing good things about Psvane tubes I bought those and loved them but after a month they have become microphonic but am still listening to them as the microphinics comes and goes on these tubes.
I have only tried RCA and Raytheon black Plate 12AU7 and keep comming back to EE stock tubes as they give a big soundstage, are clear sounding and the top end is excellent with bass nothing to sneeze at. I do not think I will change them unless I get Psvane tubes.
I think this EE Avant is a good buy at the price it is selling at. I have not heard the big dollars preamps and will not say it beats such and such price preamps as some people do but if you are in the market for a preamp, take a listen to Avant. It is that good.
I also tried Zu Audio Mission XLR cable with it and let it burn for 300-400 hours but much preferred my Tyr RCA cables. I know the price difference and the quality of cables but XLR was too clean sounding and not as warm as Tyr. I will have to buy Tyr XLR one day to see how it sounds. I have vibrapods under EE which I think makes a difference. One thing you will need to check when you first get it. Take off the top lid and check everything is plugged in and the tubes are fully inserted in their sokets. When I got it there was a tube half out of its socket and a cable was out which I had to reinsert.

Product Weakness:	None that I can see.
Product Strengths:	Bass, Tube Goodness, Soundstage.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Parasound A21
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Eastern Electric Avant and Audible Illusions L2b. Aesthetix Rhea Phono Preamp.
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Aristn Maxim CD Player, Michell Gyro SE and Technics SL 1200 MK II Turntables.
Speakers: NHT 2.3
Cables/Interconnects: Nordost heimdall Speaker Cable, Nordost Tyr IC's.
Music Used (Genre/Selections): POP, Rock, New Age.
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 Months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): APC H15Blk
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Parasound A21
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Eastern Electric Avant and Audible Illusions L2b. Aesthetix Rhea Phono Preamp.
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Aristn Maxim CD Player, Michell Gyro SE and Technics SL 1200 MK II Turntables.
Speakers:	NHT 2.3
Cables/Interconnects:	Nordost heimdall Speaker Cable, Nordost Tyr IC's.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	POP, Rock, New Age.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 Months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	APC H15Blk
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner