![]() But, I would never state that whatever preamp comparison I (or you) have done in one system will provide the same results in some other combination of components. I have compared a M2 RIAA to a M6 RIAA and a M6 Phono in three systems that I set-up. Warren, have you compared M6 phono to the lower end phono stages ? Did you hear anything that I have described above ?Ĭlick to expand.I have heard the M2, M3, and M6 ("RIAA" phono stages and "Phono" full function preamps) in various systems. Anything even a bit slow just puts me off. I was actually thinking of hunting down a used M6 phono but this factor is bothering me. Now I find it hard to believe that AN would implement something like that into their Level 4 preamp. It definitely sounded more weighty, dynamic and much higher resolution compared to the phono section of the M3 and M2 RIAA but the agility and pace seemed to go down just one notch, "audibly". The M6 phono sounded the most spectacular but I was bit worried that compared to M2 RIAA and M3 phono the phono section of the M6 sounded a bit plodding. I auditioned the M2 RIAA, M3 phono and M6 phono on a full Audio Note setup (Conquest Silver amps). The musical flow and timing was also quite raw. Where AN is deeply emotional with its tonal palette and musical flow, the EAR was all about authority and uprightness. It was as far as possible between 2 tube components made in the UK by 2 great designers. Most of you are correct in the sense that they are very different sonically to Audio Note. I happened to finally get an audition of the EAR 912 preamp. But you REALLY have to listen for yourself, to decide for yourself. To a subjective audiophile, a listener to music in their home, I think an AN system will bring more pleasure than a comparatively priced EAR system. To many residential buyers of high-end audio equipment, this may be very important also. In a recording or music production studio environment, this is VERY important. EAR does measure better, though, with lower distortion, flatter frequency response, and better specifications overall. In fact, my ears tell me they don't meet AN either. In the realm of pure musicality, they do not outperform AN. I don't know what criteria EAR primarily focuses on in their design, but listening is not their primary focus. So they leave that decision for the customer to decide what price range he can accept paying. They cannot settle on one design and one implementation to be the "best" overall compromise. So they offer every component in 2 to 5 component quality levels, and thus 2 to 5 price levels. resistors, capacitors, wires, transformers, connectors, chassis design, CD transport mechanics) make dramatic differences in the sound of an audio component. AN has found that the quality of individual components (e.g. The specs they measure are for verification of circuit performance, but the sound from LISTENING is their motive for every aspect of design. In fact, AN prefers using run-of-the-mill recordings of great performances to evaluate the sound of their new products. AN focuses on natural sound, outstanding micro-dynamics, realistic retrieval of subtle details from recorded music. Don't mix and match these two brands, because their strengths are not compatible. They sound VERY different, so you REALLY must listen to a few systems based on each, and choose. But I have personally owned both EAR and AN gear, and loved both. ![]() ![]() I am an Audio Note dealer now, so I am extremely one-sided and prejudiced. There are completely different criteria with which the two companies design audio equipment, based on very opposite criteria Tim and Peter feel are most important. Tim visits AN rooms and scoffs at every new product Peter hears stories about EAR and corrects EVERY one as an active critic of everything EAR makes. First, Tim and Peter are truly fierce competitors with each other. Having been to many audio shows, hearing many audio systems based on either EAR or AN, speaking MANY times directly to Tim of EAR and Peter of AN, and basically loving ALL vacuum tube gear for a few decades, I have a few opinions to share. ![]()
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