EAR 88pb, Opinions?


Not much print on this phonostage. Anyone compare it to the EAR324 or other phonos in the $5K range? It will be paired with a low output Dynavector cartridge.
tom_hankins
I like the Art Audio Vinyl Reference. It blows away the EAR model at its price point.
Downblunder, you’ve taken me to task for critical comments on a product I don’t sell. Normally that would be fair.

However, you conveniently fail to mention many of the products I’ve supported and complimented in the threads that I don’t sell. Among them, Ayre, Nottingham, Analysis Plus, VAC, McIntosh, Dynaudio, Quad, Magneplanar, Verity, Zyx, and many others.

It’s disingenuous of you to single out one critical comment without looking at the big picture.

I have the opportunity to hear and evaluate many phono stages in the course of a year; fair to say far more than you. The fact is I’ve had a chance to audition your 88 and my initial assessment stands. There are at least 6 phono stages (some I sell and some I don’t) under $2K I find more enjoyable, hence the overpriced comment. How you spend your money is certainly none of my business. I seek high quality and high value products for my customers. To me the 88 does not meet those criteria.

You need to be a bit more fair and balanced but I assume you’re an MSNBC or CNN kind of guy.

BTW, contact any of my suppliers if you wish. They, as I do, deal with whackaloons every day. They’ll understand you.
I've tried the Vinyl reference in my system and found it to be slow, lacked bass responce and smeared the images. I acually found the little Sim Audio LP5.3 better in most areas. So I guess since I find the Sim better, it makes the Vinyl Reference grossly over priced.
I have also had the Ayre P5xe, BAT VK-P10se, Dynavector P75 in my system over the last couple years. For one reason or another they are gone. I am looking for something as quiet and detailed as the Sim with a little bigger sound and a little more weight throughout the freq. range.
Audiofeil,
After you emailed me hawking your product line over the EAR I looked into your previous posts. Since your the first dealer to email pushing your product lines I think I will stick with the opinions of those without financial gain when I go through posts about products I am considering.