• Re: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? - JimL 17:59:26 04/02/07 (1)
  In Reply to: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? posted by Jon from Denver on April 2, 2007 at 11:15:35:

  I had a Berning EA-230 amp driving my Quad ESLs for about a decade. It was a very nice sounding combination. The output impedance of the Berning is a bit high, about 4 ohms IIRC, which makes the bass a bit stronger and rolls off the highs somewhat. It replaced a Dyna Stereo 70.

  It has a couple of real world advantages. The output tubes are run very close to class B, which means that they run very cool (about 10 mA standing current per tube) and will last a long time, around 10,000-20,000 hours, compared to 2000-3000 hours for most output tubes. Parts quality appears only so-so, but Jeff Goggin commented in a review of the Milbert car amplifier (which is based on the EA-230) that he tried replacing the parts with "better" ones and wound up going back to the original parts because they sounded best.

  I eventually got audiophile itch and replaced it with a Miyabe VP-300BD which is a parallel single ended 300B amplifier, which to my ears sounded more "direct" and "alive" than the Berning, but the Berning is still a very good amp for Quads.
  
  

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  • Re: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? - cinemanaut 20:09:18 04/02/07 (0)
    In Reply to: Re: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? posted by JimL on April 2, 2007 at 17:59:26:

    Sorry. My "out of sequence" post should have used the properly spelled version of the made-up word "symbioticism", instead of the misspelled made-up version "synbioticism". My old eyes start going fuzzy after hours of staring at a screen... Maybe that's why I had an eye exam and entered a new eyeglasses prescription today: So I can include better spelling in my made-up words. No, the sum total of available words is simply not sufficient. I must create new ones.

    Anyway... David chose all parts based on sound quality. He even disdained the use of an external "Y" cord when using the 230 in mono configuration because they are all "magnetic" and sound bad. Internal hard-wired bridging was his only recommended method. That said, I can't say that I've noticed any negative sonic impact from changing the bias trimpots. And regarding "so-so" parts quality, I have never had a failure of any kind with ANY of my 230s. I've replaced tubes, but only because I thought it "was time", or to replace a noisy one.

    And yes, the review is way long in the tooth, but I still agree with all of the comments offered regarding the 230's sound quality.

    
    
    

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• Re: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? - cinemanaut 17:58:08 04/02/07 (0)
  In Reply to: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? posted by Jon from Denver on April 2, 2007 at 11:15:35:

  Sorry, I should have thanked Sandro for posting the link to the review. And, did I mention that the 230 sounds good? The musicality, detail, and dynamics are far beyond any other amp I've tried with 57s. Way, far...

  There's magical, other-worldly synbioticism at play, EA-230 with QUADs.

  Other than that, I don't hardly like them at all...

  
  
  

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• Re: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? - Mr_bill2 14:05:08 04/02/07 (0)
  In Reply to: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? posted by Jon from Denver on April 2, 2007 at 11:15:35:

  Agon has a nice looking one on sale for $850obo. Seller looks reputable as well. No affiliations...

  bill
  
  

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• Re: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? - drquad 11:55:09 04/02/07 (3)
  In Reply to: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? posted by Jon from Denver on April 2, 2007 at 11:15:35:

  I too would like to hear the Berning EA-230 on my Quads. Have you read the review below?

  Sandro
  

  • http://www.milbert.com/db/ea230sp.htm   (Open in New Window)

  
  

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  • That review from Stereophile is a bit long in the tooth - published in 1982. nt - JimL 18:05:05 04/02/07 (0)
    In Reply to: Re: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? posted by drquad on April 2, 2007 at 11:55:09:

    .
    
    

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  • Re: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? - Fishfood 14:34:12 04/02/07 (1)
    In Reply to: Re: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? posted by drquad on April 2, 2007 at 11:55:09:

    I'm trying to acquire this amp also. I'll let you know how it sounds when I find one. The Audiogon EA230 is already gone!
    
    

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    • Re: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? - cinemanaut 17:39:29 04/02/07 (0)
      In Reply to: Re: ESL 57 and Berning EA230 experiences? posted by Fishfood on April 2, 2007 at 14:34:12:

      I would thank drquad for posting the link to the Stereophile review. I concur with it.

      I am currently using three EA-230's, driving my front array of five 57's at L/C/R... and All is Well. I would like to have just ONE more EA-230 (for my rear L/R 57s)(when they finish being rebuilt)(I am so dang slooooow), then I wouldn't need to use the modified Dyna MKII I have allocated for use at the center channel location. Then I would be DONE. I have been happy with this rig for years (without the 57s at the rear), and don't plan on changing a thing, except for completing the back bits.

      You should very much like the EA-230. I previously had four QUAD Model II valve amps (two matched pairs). They were very nice, but not at all a match for the EA-230s, IMHO. Peter and Ross Walker would love to differ with me on that (if only Mr. Walker, senior, was still with us to argue the point). Ross would be happy to give it a go, I’m sure.

      One point not clarified in the Stereophile review is that, with E-stats, since they are driven by more so by voltage rather than by current, the Berning 30 watt rating is not nearly the limitation it would be, say, driving non-ESLs. But, even with dynamics, they sound like far more than 30/per, as was well documented in the review. But thirty watts is perfect, voltage-wise, to make 57s do EVERYTHING they can do, without risk of lightning storms occurring within the 57s mid/tweet panels... it's a perfect match for achieving long, stable and happy QUAD-life... I first tried the EA-230 with 57s back in 1981, as I recall (also with David's TF-10, which was also very good)(not as quiet as the EA-230s, but then it's a preamp)(it was still very, very nice).

      The EA-230 is the finest amp I have heard with 57s. It is quiet, stable, very easy on valves, bias doesn't drift, tho it can be tricky to set, as the original bias trimpots were not too great. You can do it, it’ just that it’s a wee bit touchy. Fortunately, it doesn't take a certified rocket scientist to replace them.

      By the way, David Berning is surely a certified rocket scientist, fascinating to talk to, and IMHO, not originally from this planet.

      HEARTILY RECOMMENDED with a warm, vacuum-valve smile.

      Best to all,

      
      
      

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