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

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

Review by oldsound on May 17, 2003 at 21:03:44
IP Address: 207.251.220.97

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After having the Minimax preamp for a week, I would like to report this is "The one" for me! What a great preamp. I agree with mnay of Rick's points. Alex and Bill should be very proud of this unit. In all honesty, this thing is to die for. Sooooooo goooood. The best I've ever heard in my system (including the Rogue 99, Audible Illusions Modulas 3, Music Reference Rm-5 and most recently a Joule Electra on demo). The sound fits my tastes pefectly with Tungram NOS Rectifier and the Hivac NOS , and Im sure if you like other things tube rolling will work for you, many already have and Eatern Electric have a forum where people can report there results. From the moment I took this unit out of the box it spoke of pure class! The build quality is top notch, very solid and heavy for it's size! and although smaller in stature, this piece sings. Inside youll find a heavy, well done transformer, choke/rectified Power supply, Alps pot, tube rectifation, and point to piont witirng, etc. The sound for me is full, 3d, smooth, warm, and pleasing with not a drop of fatigue anywhere. Extremes are great and detail is perfect for me, but not overwelming. It truly is a music lovers preamp. My late nite jazz sessions have bee very enjotanle. Bill at Morningstar (the distributor) is great to talk to. This is a new product and company butthey love music you can tell when talking with Bill. I expect some great things coming for Eastern Electric and im proud to be one of the first. Look out for this one!!

Product Weakness: Silver only may turn some off, small size may not fit in all systems. I could care less! : )
Product Strengths: Overall musicality. Everything is just right. Build quality. Choke Power supply, Tube rectifacation, Alps pot. A music lovers preamp.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	x
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	x
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	x
Speakers:	x
Cables/Interconnects:	x
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	x
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Silver only may turn some off, small size may not fit in all systems. I could care less! : )
Product Strengths:	Overall musicality. Everything is just right. Build quality. Choke Power supply, Tube rectifacation, Alps pot. A music lovers preamp.