Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: EAR/Yoshino 864 Preamplifier (Tube) by Mr Underhill

Model:	864
Category:	Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$2995
Description:	tube preamp with phono stage (834p)
Manufacturer URL:	EAR/Yoshino
Model Picture:	View

Review by Mr Underhill ( A ) on May 17, 2006 at 13:21:54
IP Address: 217.155.108.22

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for the 864

System:
LP12/Aro/Geddon/DV20
Naim DVD5/Benchmark DAC1
Naim AV2
Avondale 42.5 / Avondale 3 rail psu -----> EAR 864
Avondaled Naim NAP 250 x 2
Avondaled Naim NAP 140
REL Strata III
ART Skibo
ART Skibo Centre
Linn Kan I (rears)
Why?
The best system I remember listening to was an all valve active system fronted by an LP12, driving some enormous Tannoys. Whilst I love what my Naim equipment does there are things it doesn't do.....pretty 2D for instance.
One option is to investigate the Naim pre-amps. Another to move up to an Avondale Grad 1. The latter really tempted me, both because I know how good it is, but also I think Les is a gent and have had my musical enjoyment expanded by his attentions to my chrome Naims.....BUT, I need more than three rca inputs, and also a phono stage.

What?
I decided that I wanted to listen to a valve pre-amp, in the knowledge that if it didn't do what I was looking for I could stick with my Les modded 42.5.
I looked around at what was available IN THEORY. Including a posting on Pink Fish.
The dealerships within easy striking distance have a dearth of valve gear. Naim, MF, Meridian...no problem. Tubes? No.
I phoned one of the local EAR dealers who stated he only ordered in to sell!
I phoned Graham at Retro Reproduction, as a result of the post mentioned above. We had a couple of chats over a couple of days about various companies.
Graham especially mentioned the EAR 864 and a Bel Canto pre.

Which?
I decided to borrow the 864. There are a lot of positive comments on the internet about this box, but also a fair few criticising it for having a Solid State sound.
So it arrived. Twice the size of my 42.5 and pretty damned heavy. Got to say that the styling doesn't do a lot for me...but out of sight.

Sound?
The more that I listen to this box the more I like it.
It is NOT easy on the ear. I would actually call it ruthless. It takes the detail that is fed into it and presents it in the aural equivalent of 20x20.
Music that was before complex is stripped out and presented in terms that allow me to follow exactly what is happening.
Now I am not into the forensic dismemberment of music, but this box just makes this so EASY.
If the music is recorded in a live acoustic the positioning is right in front of you. Studio recorded? Then the compartments are presented for your delictation.
So ALL good news then......well, funnily enough no. Now this is something I NEVER thought I'd write, BUT it has shown me how forgiving the 42.5 was.
Let me give a couple examples:
Sinatra: A Fine Romance Source: DVD5/DAC1 ( that's what I had on when I was writing this)
CD1 - Strangers in the Night
The strings on the left have had a ton of reverb added and sound as though they have been recorded in a public lavatory. In fact reverb has been liberally added all over the place.
Now was I aware of this before? Yes, but it is now so stark.
CD1 - Something Stupid
Another great song. Singers central. Instruments either left or right. Easily followed, but sounds .....manufactured.

This means that I could play you a whole series of CDs that sound great. BUT, there are a number that I used to play without picking up on the detrimental side that I know find have the negatives almost pushed into my face, another example being T'Pau: Bridge of Spies.
This afternoon I put on a cheapo CD of JS Bachs 'greats'. I was captured by the interplay between the instruments and their obvious position on the stage....it was fantastic.
But this box can also rock. It seems to be able to really dig into bass lines. In fact I have stopped using my Sub-Woofer for normal music listening! Whether it is the Stones, Anastacia, Meatloaf, Deep Purple et al it really kicks.
I've just listened to Clannad - Greatest Hits, superb. Before that Dusty Springfield, a lot of compression on Dusty's vocals.

On the phono side I initially used the MM input for my DV20. I was not convinced. Changing to the MC input has changed that. The dynamics of the music are tremendous.....even at lower volumes.

Valve + Naim = ?
Well I don't notice any loss of PRAT. I'm listening to even more music, and re-discovering my music collection.
I think I can hear why it might be seen as a solid state sound by some valve-aholics. There is certainly no euphonics here to my ears......just a bloody good pre-amp, regardless of the technology used to build it.
So it destroys the Avondaled 42.5? No, I think that would be far too strong. But it definitely presents the music in a way that can be breath-taking, but can also show the limitations of the recording art - especially with CD.....but I've only played my smaller fav. vinyl albums to date!
The Avondale cost me somewhere between 500 and 600 pounds, the EAR was 1200 ex-dem; it is certainly worth that price differential to me.
Martin

Product Weakness: Could be too forensic in the wrong system.
Product Strengths: Dynamics; Clarity - ability to clearly present complex music.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Naim NAP 250 (70W)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Ear 864
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Naim DVD5/Benchmark DAC1, LP12/Aro/Geddon
Speakers:	ART Skibo
Cables/Interconnects:	Naim A5
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Various
Room Size (LxWxH):	14 x 17 x 9
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks; Demoed & then bought.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Could be too forensic in the wrong system.
Product Strengths:	Dynamics; Clarity - ability to clearly present complex music.