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Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Eastern Electric BBA Preamplifier (Tube) by Hi-Fi Low-Life

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REVIEW: Eastern Electric BBA Preamplifier (Tube)

70.90.133.225


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Model: BBA
Category: Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: $850
Description: Tube Buffer and/or Preamplifier
Manufacturer URL: Eastern Electric
Model Picture: View

Review by Hi-Fi Low-Life on May 20, 2008 at 13:36:52
IP Address: 70.90.133.225
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for the BBA


Being well versed in audio reviewer’s hyperbole, I read the following review with equal parts enthusiasm and skepticism.

http://www.dagogo.com/EasternElectricBBA.html

I thought my system sounded great, but since I run my disc player directly into my power amplifier, I have always wondered if a tube buffer would improve the system’s sonics. I decided to try the Eastern Electric BBA because it appeared to be the most flexible “tube buffer” available. I bought one used at a good price and figured that I could recoup most of my money if it did not live up to its hype. What I paid for it is substantial within the context of my modest system and I had rather hoped I would try the BBA, hear that it was a gimmick, then resell it and be on my merry way. Such is not the case. The first thing I noticed was increased dynamics, especially bass dynamics. The sound was also more open on top with more texture and body to cymbals (for example.) The whole sound stage was better illuminated with more of that ever sought after air between the musicians. By comparison, without the BBA in the system, cymbals sounded like bleached out bursts of white noise and the sound was too polite, reserved and closed in. I was happy with the system prior to the BBA’s arrival, but now that I have heard the improvement the BBA makes, I would not be able to live with out it.

The BBA actually does what the Dagogo reviewer claims, although I suspect its efficacy is highly system dependent. (I tried it in a friend’s system consisting of a Cambridge Audio integrated powering Hales Revelation 3s and did not notice much difference. Admittedly, this audition was too brief and I was not familiar enough with the sound of my buddy’s system and room for a fair evaluation.)

If you want to wring that last 10% of performance out of your system, the BBA might be the device that can do it for you. Whether the improvements it can bring to your system
is worth what it costs only you can decide. I am keeping mine and that is the highest compliment I can pay to a piece of audio gear.


Product Weakness: Price
Product Strengths: Sound - Appearance


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Adcom GFA-535
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): EE BBA
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Cambidge Audio 540D
Speakers: Magnepan SMGa Refurbished
Cables/Interconnects: nothing fancy
Music Used (Genre/Selections): rock, jazz
Room Comments/Treatments: na
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): APC
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Eastern Electric BBA Preamplifier (Tube) - Hi-Fi Low-Life 13:36:52 05/20/08 ( 0)