Is Coincident Statement Phono pre-amp an overkill

Metralla,
You point out the imbalanced quality of components and I agree. Getting
the EAR is not an upward/final destination choice, it just fits in with the
current analog level. To use a sports analogy, draft the best athlete/player
you can get. Make this draft pick your foundation and build round him with
other good players (a rising tide philosophy). I'd get the great player
(Coincident) rather than the lesser player (EAR) that just satifies a vacant
slot temporarily. But I do understand your reasoning as well. The
Coincident phono +the Dragon mono blocks = two very impressive building
blocks for the very long term.
Charles,

Charles1dad,

In researching my answer I read the Stereophile review of the Tim De Paravacini phono stage. The EAR 834P has been around for a very long time. The review is originally from 1997 and is a good review; but what I was quite impressed by was the story of Carl Marchisotto (Alon, now Nola) using the EAR between his Phalanx/Poseidon speakers with Audio Research electronics, and a VPI TNT 'table with a JMW Memorial arm and a Clearaudio Insider cartridge.

Now Carl is no fool when it comes to show demos and could have used a much more expensive phono stage there. But there we had the $900 phono stage in a $125,000 system.

http://www.stereophile.com/phonopreamps/797ear/

I am extending your analogy. Now is not the time to lash out on a superstar. Now is the time to buy a great player for a lot less money, perhaps one who is a little long in the tooth and near the end of his career; but who will fit in with the team in the position where there is weakness, and really give the team a solid boost. Shades of "Moneyball". Meanwhile, keeping most of the money in the bank for that next star player that you really need.

Hey, all in fun.

Regards,

What you don't realize is that the EAR could actually have been a great band-aid for ALON's system at the show. ALON speakers are on the very forward and brighter side. Placing the EAR in that system which is on the warmer side probably helped. I would rather start with less of a band-aid and more of a neutral piece.

Fair comment. The Stereophile review certainly points out the weaknesses of the phono stage. For instance: "The amplifier's overall dark perspective reflected very laid-back extreme high frequencies and an overly round midbass".

I did not mean to make it a battle between the EAR and the Coincident. I am not stupid. But I do think in the context of the original poster's system $1000 is about the right expenditure at this stage. Perhaps there are much better choices than the EAR around that price point.

Regards,

Hi Metralla,
"Hey all in fun", of course!
Coincident phono = a prime Labron James.
EAR= an aging Kevin Garnett.
Charles,