EAR 324 vs Einstein The Turntable Choice

I think it is "dangerous" to draw conclusions after only a very brief listen to two components, especially when it sounds like you are not being rushed to make a decision. The aphorism "all that glitters is not gold" is applicable to audio components; what you think is so compelling about the EAR after a very brief listen might end up being a source of irritation in the long run. So why not take your time and a few days of listening to each before jumping to conclusions? One reason I say this is because by all accounts, and all other things being equal, the Einstein should be superior to the EAR 324. I have no dog in this fight; I have never heard either.

What I do like a lot about the EAR is its front-panel adjustability for cartridge loading, so if it really is competitive with the Einstein, I would choose it for that reason.

As a former Einstein dealer, I can tell you the phono stage (balanced version here) is anything but flat and CD-like, nor is it tubey. Shsohis, since you didn't describe at least the associated cartridge and line stage preamp, there is no way to know, but I strongly suspect you had the incorrect load resistors, which take only a few seconds to change, and it's easy to know when you've found the ones that are just right. The EAR isn't in the same league by any stretch.

As of today, I own both the Einstein (single ended) and the Ear 324. The EAR is on its way to me. I will post my personal findings after I've gone through the honeymoon period with the EAR. I've owned the Einstein for a few years and know it very well.

I went through a very similar situation and ended up getting the RCM Sensor Prelude. It has the earthy 3-dimensional sound that people associate with great tube designs, the cleanliness of Einstein and rhythmic prowess of a Naim. It is a superb product IMO. There is one for sale at Agon right now, check it out.

Dear Shsohis: I never had and heard both phono stages in the same system at the same time but I rememebre both quality performances.

The EAR is a good PS for its price and we can't ask more for it, what mean I with that?, well the EAR is not so accurate as the Einstein and IMHO more colored than the Einstein.

No, IMHO the Einstein has not a " CD alike performance " but only more accurate and neutral that for me are main priorities in any audio item. The Einstein design is a high gain active one on LOMC against a passive ( SUT. ) one on the EAR. IMHO this passive EAR design degrade and colored the cartridge signal on LOMC cartridges ( the EAR low price came from this passive kind of design. ).

It is obvious that accuracy and neutrality/what is in the recording is not what you are looking for but something more " colored and distorted " and nothing wrong with that because each one of us are different about.

Me, for example, always try to hear and to be " nearest to the recording " and not only that but that that " nearest to the recording " sounds " good " at the same time.

I agree with Lewm: more listening time and agree with Essentialaudio that we have to have the right set up when we are doing comparisons and to all of us could help to know which cartridge you are testing and how it is surrounded other than the PSs.

Of course that the more important subject here is not what I think about but what you think and what you like because is you whom have to live with that audio system.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.