EAR Yoshino
Due
to the current fluctuations in exchange rates and the
impact of the recession on manufacturers, please regard the
prices on this page as ‘guide’ only. If you are interested
in the equipment you must contact me for a current
price.
324
£3692
The EAR 324 is the perfect solution for the vinyl-loving
audiophile who demands the highest quality and the greatest
flexibility. It features perfectly tailored inputs for both
moving coil and moving magnet cartridges and offers
accurate, low-noise amplification with vanishingly small
signal degradation.
It has long been realised that amplifying the tiny signal
from phono cartridges is one of the hardest jobs in
electronics. Designer Tim de Paravicini has been devising
elegant and efficient solutions to the problem over several
decades, and the 324 represents the summary of his
thinking. A fully transistorised product, it draws heavily
on his acclaimed ''312 Control Centre'' preamplifier in its
circuitry but adds flexibility with switchable input
impedance for both moving coil (MC) and moving magnet (MM)
cartridges. Two separate inputs allow easy switching
between two turntables (or two arms on one turntable),
ideal for the serious collector who may have a separate
deck and pickup for mono discs.
Of those inputs, Input One is switchable for MC or MM
cartridges. In MC mode, a built-in step-up transformer (the
same as in the Yoshino MC3 standalone transformer) gives
optimum noise performance and matches the cartridge through
4ohm, 15ohm and 40ohm windings. In MM mode, impedance is
fixed.
Input Two is a specialist MM input with switchable
resistance and capacitance loading to optimise response
from any high quality MM cartridge. Both inputs feed into a
very low noise, low distortion and high headroom amplifying
stage which uses a unique RIAA equalisation scheme to
optimise stability and sound quality.
Balanced and unbalanced outputs with a low source impedance
ensure that any line preamplifier can be comfortably driven
through almost any amount of good quality cable. Gain is
equivalent to 54dB at 1kHz (1.2V out for 2.5mV in, MM) but
can be reduced by 6 or 12dB if needed. Absolute phase is
switchable and mono operation can also be selected.
With EAR/Yoshino's famed sound quality and reliability
assured, the 324 is truly the phono stage of choice for the
dedicated vinyl enthusiast. Winner of "Top Hi-Fi Show 2005"
Award (Russia)
312
£15,976
For
over 20 years, Tim de Paravicini's EAR brand name has been
associated with valve amplifiers of legendary quality and
reliability. Classics such as the 500-series power
amplifiers, the 802 preamp, and more recently the V20
integrated amp and the 800-series 'Enhanced Triode Mode'
models are among the most prestigious hi-fi products ever
made and have attracted praise and awards the world over.
Although
Tim de Paravicini has been designing transistor-based
circuits since the days of the very first commercial
transistors, he has never before produced a solid-state
amplifier under his own flag. But now, after years of
breaking with everyone else's traditions, he has broken
with his own and produced the 312 Control Centre, a
fully-featured preamp which redefines the world of
solid-state just as EAR amplifiers have done for the world
of valves.
Taking into account the current growth in the number of
sources in many hi-fi systems, the 312 offers no less than
eight inputs, three of which are balanced and
transformer-coupled. What's more, there are six outputs:
three each balanced and unbalanced, and because they are
also transformer-coupled it is perfectly possible to use
both types simultaneously (for instance in multi-amped
systems) without upsetting the balanced outputs. This means
that six stereo power amplifiers can be driven at once.
As
you would expect from an EAR product, the phono input also
features transformer coupling for moving coil cartridges,
ensuring the lowest possible noise, and in order to ensure
very high overload headroom and complete stability the RIAA
equalization of the phono stage uses an inductor in a
unique EAR circuit configuration.
The
basic amplifying circuit uses just three transistors in a
single-ended configuration, a 'valve-like' approach that
harnesses the gain of the transistors in such a way as to
give sound of unequalled sweetness and clarity. Complete
compatibility with other equipment is achieved through the
very high input and output headroom of all circuits, plus
their low noise.
Again
drawing on de Paravicini's expertise in the field of
transformers and inductors, the power supply uses a choke
input filter to give very low noise and ripple, and very
low dependency on the purity of the incoming electricity
supply: it also generates very low levels of interference
on the household supply without requiring any additional
suppression components.
Simple
and intuitive operation has always been a feature of EAR
products, and to this end the 312 uses a very high quality
and high accuracy volume control with a conventional
single-turn range, in conjunction with a unique meter-like
scale which clearly indicates circuit gain. Channel balance
is maintained to close tolerances right down to
whisper-quiet levels.
Finally,
it should be hardly necessary to mention that like all EAR
products the 312 is built to the highest standards and
immaculately finished so that it looks as good as it
sounds. It will set standards for a long time to come.
M100 Monoblocks
£31,595
Tim
de Paravicini established EAR in 1979, since when the brand
has been renowned worldwide for the finest valve (tube)
amplifiers. But in 2000 the tradition was broken with the
Paravicini 312 transistor preamplifier, now joined by the
M100 transistor power amplifier. To anyone familiar with
EAR/Yoshino products, it will come as no surprise that this
is no ordinary transistor amplifier. Designed explicitly to
provide a 'valve-like' sound from transistors, it uses de
Paravicini's unrivalled expertise in audio transformer
design to the full, with a unique single-ended output stage
coupled to the load through an output transformer.
Being
single ended, the M100 naturally operates entirely in Class
A, with all that that implies for clarity and purity of
sound. High reliability is assured by the use of multiple
parallel output transistors, with adequate heatsink area
for any climate (no noisy cooling fans), and the essential
simplicity of the audio circuit helps with both sonic and
reliability aspects. A choke-input power supply gives
maximum immunity to mains supply variations and also
prevents the amplifier from corrupting the mains supply in
turn. With an output power of 100W the M100 has the ability
to drive almost any loudspeakers to symphony-orchestra
levels. For the discerning listener, it offers new heights
in sonic attainment.
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