Earmax Anniversary - Page 14

i have a newbie question....does the earmax pro power the HD650's ok? i've heard some people say its doesn't...confused...also how does it sound just using the tubes that comes with it? Im stuck between buying an earmax pro or grham slee solo...

Easily powers them.

Yes, absolutely.


It sounded good with the stock tubes already, but maybe the tubes that come with it are different ones nowadays. However, I doubt that you would be disappointed. Moreover, my current tube favorites don't cost the world: 1x Sovtek 12AX7LPS, 2x Electro-Harmonix 6922 (gold pins; even cheaper without gold plating). -- I can't speak for the Solo.
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thanks for the comments i'm going to order it.

The Earmax Pro is pretty easy to find used, often with upgraded tubes included.

As a previous owner of the Solo and having listened to an Earmax Pro, let me say that these two really show the difference between SS and Tube.if you like the solo, the the Earmax will sound really lush and warm and slow. If you like the Earmax, the Solo will sound harsh and aggressive and fast. But if you compare a solo to other SS, the solo will sound warm and punchy and have a nice deep bass. If you compare a earmax to other tube amps, it will sound liquid, especially in the mids, but with a nicely controlled bass and smooth highs.

it depends on where you're coming from!

Strangely I enjoyed them both as much as each other.

With the Emp I preferred the Grado's with the solo I liked the senns and hp-2's.

The Emp help take the edge off grado's and the solo gave the senns an edge.

It is more a case of synergy rather than anything else I thought.

I agree with Red above - it's all about synergy!

Bleh!
Who cares about synergy and sound quality when an amp looks that cute, I want one just to look at

12au7 in EMP

I rolled just about every 12AT7 in the EMP. The best, as per posts on the subject, are actually the best.. Early '60s TFK ECC801S, Valvo 6201 Blue 3 mica, Early AMperex Holland and Valvo Hamburg with D getter, Mullard '50s with D-getter, and, Siemens 3-mica ECC81, some of which can are actually TFKs with Diamond on bottom. For USA brands, CBS 7728 and Tungsol 50s with D-horse shoe getter are the only ones I enjoyed.

I am now rolling 12AU7s varieties and let me tell you this is VERY worthwhile. Not decided whehter I like the best classic 12AU7 or the best 12AT7 better. Will depend on source, phones, cables and taste.

As for outer tubes, Amperex Orange globe, Amperex white label 6922 and Mullard CV2492 are best tME--have not tried TFKs.

Plenty of drive on EMP for Senn HD650--in fact, better than HD595. Apparantly, higher impedence phones are the way to go with EMP.

If anyone knows that a 12AU7 is harmful, please let me know.

I agree with Dr. E(MP)

I agree with Edison, the sound of the EMP with top-flight, NOS EU tubes (mostly) and some select USA is wonderfullllll--esp. with Senn HD650/Cardas and good interconnects. The trick with interconnects are neutral and detailed. I am itching to try the silver cryo'd HP cable recently advertised on Agon.

When I have a bit more time, I'll rank the 'middle' tube and the 6DJ8 types. Suffice to say that for the 6DJ8, I agree precisely with Joe's Tube Lore. While he missed on some of the great 12AX7 and 12AU7 and only focused on the great 5751s--of which there are only 3-4 really, Joe is SPOT ON with his 6DJ8 assessments. I have just tried Siemens E88CC, and I am impressed. Better than Dutch---not sure, different. More air, more detail. Thin? Not sure. Amperex 7308 white shield USA '65 (matched NOS) are a little thin to my ear as well, but have not balanced/rolled with Mullards or CBS7728, for example, to flesh out the mids.

In deference to Edison, I need to try TFKs in outer position. The Early TFK ECC801S is spectacular, to my ear. I need more time to compare again to others. So far, the earliest 12AT7 types I have are Harleen '56, Hamburg '55 and some funky Mullard with super solid construction and funky D-getter that is part of a 'cage' over the top mica, and the tube is 3-mica. Early Tung-Sol (1953, Grey Plate) not bad for a USA tube.

EOS, the EMP with the right tubes beats a PPX3-6CG7 with the best 6CG7s--thoughs its a close call. The EMP is soooooooo musical, detailed, airy--and fairly transparent--but for musicality per se--defined by being able to listen for hours on end with admiration and no fatigue--it's hard to imagine better, though I hear the SP Supra just slays the EMP, and for the price, it should.

EMP is like my CJ-MV52--mybe not the MOST detailed (not always a good thing), maybe not the tightest bass (but very tuneful), maybe not neutral as a Switzerland, but so MUSICAL you melt into the sound and imagine the vocalist singing to you straight on and the band laid out in space backing him/her(it??). "It just sounds right", and what a stage! I feel the same way about the EMP.

While I really liked the ASL MG Head OTL III with the best of the best tubes, esp. for its price used, and my Sansui 1000A with the best of the best NOS, I knew I would sell both after 1 hr. with the EMP. I was lucky. Mine came with NOS Adzam E188CC and TFK ECC801S, and Siemens and old Tesla E88CC as backups. Good deal! Even the stock Ruby 12AT7 large chrome plate was not too bad, not bad at all in fact--but I need to go back and hear again, if I can find it.

More later.

PS. It was Edison's posts that got me into a frenzy buying rare 12AT7. Thanks, Edison, I think. I believe I have just about all of the great ones, +/- a year or so in vintage--except for the GEC2900--toooo expensive.

The DAC is important

With my Cal Alpha(s), I can tailor the sound that much more with nosty 12AX7 and 5751. What Joe says about 5751 may hold for amplifiers, but not DACs as much, though he is prety much right on. Remember, there are only 4 5751s worth trying, and the vintage of these (it's the construction that counts) seems not to have as great an impact as for other tube types; oddly? Well, the date range of the four best 5751 are only about five years or so, for the most part, and all USA made. More later.

Resurrecting this thread. Are people still high on Electro-Harmonix with the EMP?