EAR HP4 as preamp

[kelly]

Can anyone offer opinions and criticisms of the EAR HP4 as a preamp? Does it have similar sound and function to the EAR 834L? (The EAR 864 seems to do more switching and is more expensive--I do not know whether the 864 is better quality than the 834).

 

[Zanth]

As far as Tim is concerned, this can't work as a preamp. I received his email last Tuesday.

 

[kelly]

I cannot for the life of me imagine why EAR thinks it's important to release a headphone amp as a product and release three different preamp products and NOT release a preamp with headphone section. What the hell?

 

[Zanth]

Indeed...after some serious discussing with my wife, I am back to considering preamp/headphone amp combo instead of the ear...

Anyone know if the DCT-1 or 2 can act as a preamp?

 

[kelly]

Zanth

If you end up liking the EAR a lot, the 834L would "only" add another $700 to your cost, which would still make it a lot cheaper than the Homes Powell. I didn't like the HP as a headphone out and I don't know how good it is as a preamp even if it technically "can" be one. EAR on the other hand--I did like the HP4 as a headphone amp a lot and I did hear the 834L preamp and it was excellent, at least when paired with McCormack amps and Vandersteen 3a signature speakers.

 

[Zanth]

How much for the McCormack amp? Is that monoblocks?

 

[Zanth]

Have you thought about keeping the headmaster for a preamp? I think I would choose to go that way, and then have best of both worlds, a kickin' ss headphone amp and a decent preamp. The cost for me would be substantially lower. Like 1/2 the cost of the EAR preamp. I am sure that the EAR is top notch as a preamp, and being a tube path would be nice. This just leaves me with my power source. Do I go monoblocks? or a nice stereo power amp?

My system would then be Shanling CD T-100--->EAR HP4--->RS-1s
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EAR 834L or Headmaster
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Monos or Stereo Power
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Totem Model One Sigs