ear preamp

I've owned two EAR amps, one EAR integrated and one EAR cd player. My friend has owned numerous EAR amps, the 834 preamp, and yes the 868 preamp. EAR is good stuff but WAY overpriced IMHO. They were overpriced ten years ago when I first started buying them. Now, FORGET ABOUT IT. I don't know what your system consists of, but if it can accommodate a passive preamp, do it. There are so many passives out there FOR WAY LESS MONEY, that can beat an EAR preamp.

Zoltan,

Are you describing the little soft and rolled off in the top frequencies with stock tubes? Can't imagine PCC88 ever sounding soft or roll off in anything.

It's been quite some time since I visited this thread. Just
want to mention a few things. First, I still own the 88PB,
and am still enjoying it very much. It of course uses four
7DJ8(PCC88) tubes. Aside from its stock tubes(Ei Yugos), I
have tried three other 7DJ8 brands: Tesla, Telefunken and
Tungsram. I have consistently come back to the Teslas, which
seem to give me the best top to bottom extension and
balance. The Telefunkens sound a wee bit soft at the top by
comparison, while the Tungsrams sound very slightly weighted
toward the treble. Please keep in mind these are the
impressions I obtain in MY system. Results may of course
vary with your system's components, and don't forget the
matter of personal taste. Also, other than what I just
mentioned, I've never typically heard top end roll off with
my 88PB. Good listening to all!