ear preamp

Thank you. I do appreciate your response. I am dying to hear one but no dealers in Chicago that have the 868 for demo. I probably would have just bitten the bullet and purchased a used unit. However, I do need to run my surround thru the pre and this appears to be tricky with the EAR -- just too many "if's" to purchase sight un heard. Anyway, I purchased a new BAT 3ix (Great little pre for little $, from a fellow Audiogoner to hold me over until I can figure out what I want.

I agree with your sensibilities on sound -- i.e. imaging, sound stage dynamics ect, and I can not stand glare or brightness. I am running ATC actives that will bite on the thin and bright side if not carefully matched.

The EAR folk do say that the 868 sounds just like the 912, but I do not know what that sound is.

Interestingly, there are comments on this forum about the EARs being over-priced?

Anyone else heard or own the EAR 912 or 868.

I am extremely impressed with the 88PB phono stage

It's been about 4 months since last post on EAR 868. Can anyone now give comparisons or comments on the 868?

Hi.
I have tested both the 912 and 868P and loved them both. I finnaly took the 868L since i own a 324P phono-stage. This 868L i own is the best pre i have ever heard and it is a true bargain. 912 linestage sounded exactly the same as the 868L. The 912s phono is a little better than the one in the 868P, maybe the transformers between phono and linestage in the 912 do that...

mybe i will sell my 868L+324P in the next weeks to get a 912 or 868P...less clutter in my rack...

just my 2cents
bernie

Bernie, I put an order for the EAR 868L to replace an ARC LS26. Can you tell me if you've heard the two compared? I like the sound of the LS26, but I get frustrated with some of the computer features built into the preamp. Do you think I would miss anything going to the 868?

Thanks