E.A.R. Yoshino HP4 Headphone Amp - any one has heard this

[fkclo]

Just wonder who has owned / listened to this amp, which appears to be pretty high-end.

Would appreciate if someone can compare it to the more popular tube amps in this forum like the SingplePower, RSA, WooAudio.....etc.

E.A.R. Yoshino is a pretty reputable identity in the hi-fi circle, but I am surprise not much has been mentioned about its headphone amp.

F. Lo

 

[devin_mm]

You probably don't want this in the FS/FT section.

 

[Hirsch]

I owned an HP4 for a couple of years. It's an excellent transformer -coupled amp. However, when I got my first SinglePower Supra, the HP4 got sidelined, as I found that I prefer the lack of transformer colorations, and I eventually sold the HP4. Even so, it can do magic with the right set of tubes. Tuberolling is discouraged, and actually made difficult by the short case. I had a special case made so I could use taller 6SL7's while I owned the amp. I'd rate it as very high-end indeed, but not in the same league as SinglePower's top amps (to me, anyway).

 

[SR-71Panorama]

I considered getting one of these, and talked to some people that had one. While they had nothing but praise for the unit, they informed me that they paid in the 3K $ range. When they discovered it is 5K $, they were flabergasted, and said it may not be worth it.

All in the eye of the beholder, but to me, 3k dollars is a completely different game than 5k dollars.

 

[fkclo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirsch /img/forum/go_quote.gif I owned an HP4 for a couple of years. It's an excellent transformer -coupled amp. However, when I got my first SinglePower Supra, the HP4 got sidelined, as I found that I prefer the lack of transformer colorations, and I eventually sold the HP4. Even so, it can do magic with the right set of tubes. Tuberolling is discouraged, and actually made difficult by the short case. I had a special case made so I could use taller 6SL7's while I owned the amp. I'd rate it as very high-end indeed, but not in the same league as SinglePower's top amps (to me, anyway).

Thanks a lot of the views.

I think the HP-4 and the SinglePower creations are two completely different camps. HP-4 is supposed to be the end-all goodies in one box, with little consideration of tweaking and customisation. It is a canned product which the creator believes will deliver the ultimate of what customers want.

On the other hand, the SinglePower is a platform created to allow users to tailor what they want to hear. So, it is possible that one SinglePower can sound odd whereas the same model with different tubes can make sounds in heaven. So, I guess we are talking about a a very different product philosophy between the two brands.

Having said that, when you say the HP-4 is not in the same league as the SP's top amps - can you elaborate more on what you believe are the "top amps" of SP ? Are you referring to SDS ?

Also, when one look at the HP-4, should we classify it as a all tube amp, or a hybrid. I looked at the pictures of the internal construction and wonder if it is actually a hybrid.

F. Lo

 

[jpelg]

f,

Shoot a PM to Braillediver & Zanth for more owner impressions.

 

[fkclo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpelg /img/forum/go_quote.gif f, Shoot a PM to Braillediver & Zanth for more owner impressions.

Has been talking to Braillediver. He has a HP-4 to let go. Will try to contact Zanth later.

F. Lo

 

[zodiac1234]

I have commented on HP4 elsewhere on head-fi. Just search on my username.
 
 
 
I have extensively listened to the EAR HP4 and compared them to other very high end amps.
 
In short I can inform you that casual comparisons at Hi-fi shops won't reveal anything on the sonic qualities of
 
this amp.
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
For me it all started to make sense after very extensive listening with music that I am intimately familiar with.
 
 
 
I can summarize my findings into one phrase: without equal.
 
It produces sound that is very difficult to explain:
 
+ it is highly dynamic, yet utterly subtle.
 
+ it is hyper detailed, yet extremely effortless.
 
+ it is equal or better than Sennheiser Orpheus in low level detail retrieval, yet produces additional body and dimension, lacking on the Orpheus.
 
+ it has a three dimensional, expansive, airy soundstage, yet it is hyper-exact in positioning instruments in that soundstage.
 
+ its bass response is fine (although not world class) with good continuity with the rest of the spectrum.
 
+ It is a magical, ALL TRIODE, T-coupled design, no hybrid solutions here.
 
 
- it is ridiculously expensive.
 
- it features a very strange circuit design. I have talked to a few people who have done some simulations on it,
 
  and they all have informed me that it performs sooo **** it makes BAD look good.
 
 
Based on what I have heard on its electricaI performance I can't really make any recommendations or condemnations.
 
I believe that an amp SO EXPENSIVE should also perform fairly ok (within reasonable limits) on the test bench.
 
It seems the HP4 cannot, I don't know, I haven't seen any measurements myself.
 
 
Its sonic ability is so beyond anything on the marked ..... I am really without words ... 
 
 

 

[kckfor]

Anyone know anything about the EAR phonostages?