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RE: There's a lot of upgrade available in the 834P

Thanks for the question. It made me realize that my comment was simplistic and didn't reflect all the changes going on in my system at the time. Let me correct that.

First of all, upgrading my phono stage from a Dynaco Pat-5 preamp with internal solid state phono (preamp modified by Frank Van Alstine) to the EAR 834P Deluxe (purchased very slightly used by a friend who was giving up analog) was one great change. Music had more depth & space, weight, detail, and was more liquid and natural, which I think of as musical. This was with the stock EAR 12AX7 tubes which tested strong.

While I enjoyed the improvements, I ran across the article "Joe's Tube Lore" (in the Audio Asylum FAQ -- link is below) in which he kind of slams the 12AX7:

"...to my ears - they ALL suck. There, I said it. Even (particularly?) the legendary Telefunkens. How can this be? Well, every 12AX7 I've ever heard has a common sonic character that's drives me to distraction. Specifically, they all sound a bit fuzzy, unfocused and hazy with a subtle sense of a soft sonic haze permeating a soundstage populated with large unfocused images."

Since the EAR 834P was my first experience with tubes in my own system, I used the article as my reference, and discovered I pretty much agreed with Joe as I rolled in various 12AX7's and began plugging in 5751's. BTW, in my earlier post I mentioned the Westinghouse 5751; actually I meant the Sylvania Gold Brand 5751. Once I got to the better 5751's he recommends, the GE Black Plates, Tung-Sol, various Sylvania 5751's, I was amazed at the increase in soundstage, depth, dynamics, detail and the overall neutrality.

Then, no changes to the EAR 834P for many moons as I was pretty satisfied and had to listen to all my records again.

Much later, lured by friends who had greatly upgraded their analog gear, I succumbed again to the addiction. I posted my 834P to Mitch Singerman for the minimal mods: 6 Hovland Musicaps, 2 IR Hexfreds: $225. I didn't order the Caddock resistors or the Black Gates. At the same time I looked at upgrading my turntable, a Linn LP12 with Linn Basik Plus LVX and the Valhalla power supply. A Linn Lingo would be too expensive for me and I probably wouldn't get the improvement relative to dollars spent. So I opted for the Origin Live Advanced DC Motor/PS.

I received the Origin Live kit first and installed it on my LP12 while waiting for the modded 834P. The difference of the DC motor was much greater than I expected. I'd thought it would be a nice change, perhaps quieter background and some additional detail or presence. However, I experienced deeper bass, more fundamental, more dynamics overall, more musical, and a more solid presence - I guess I would say the instruments were more "there". Shortly after I my modded 834P was delivered and I immediately connected it. What I heard was more natural sound, perhaps less tubiness(?) and more definition/focus in the soundstage, more space between instruments; there seemed to be less coloration, less of anything between the music and my ears. Because the time was so short after the Origin Live DC Motor was installed, it was hard to separate how much of the changes were from the 834P mods and how much were from the motor/PS. But I wouldn't go back.

My friend did all the mods himself, including VCaps instead of the Hovland Musicaps. I wasn't impressed with his system beforehand, but afterwards, it was fun to listen to and was very revealing of LP's.

Hope this helps,

Peter







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  • RE: There's a lot of upgrade available in the 834P - PeterBGood 10/4/0922:07:29 10/4/09 (0)

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