JeremiahS

I can understand your desire to build around the Susvara, but I think you can make a case of building around an EC amp if you find a good deal

Let’s see, if it doesn’t play nice in my system I can try to sell it in SBAF. Do you guys think it will play nice with the ribbon RAAL?

I have tried it with the CA-1A and TI-C transformer. It worked well in some tracks and not so much with others. Overall it's not an ideal pairing and I didn't reach for it often.

I asked Craig about it, and he said he'd refund the amp but not service it. That wasn't quite the answer I was looking for, but I got a one-off deal, so lived with it. The issue persists. It's only intermittent and doesn't spoil listening pleasure, but it's there.

So, from my POV, EC amps are nice, but I wouldn't rule out there being gremlins. Perhaps my SJ is a special case, however.

@wbass Thanks for your impressions. I wish I can test the Studio Jr or B because I want to compare its sound to the Balancing Act.

ER300B is very good but it's still a bit too warm for my taste and there is a bit of grain and bloat too like normal 300B. I was really surprised with the Mo variant. It's a bit more SS-ish sounding than the ER. The grain is gone and there is an extreme clarity to the sound coupled with excellent top and bottom extension. The treble is extended but never harsh, really impressive.

Great notes. I'd love to listen to my 307a BA next to @CEE TEE's BA once he has his preferred PX4 tubes again, but have also been curious what mine sounds like next to a BA with the Elrog. I'm very happy with the 307a in my BA.

@Vansen I'm curious too because from what I read the KR should be more SS-like compare to EML. The Elrogs are maybe 2 levels better than the EML, previously I feel that the BA lack a bit of sub-bass but the problem is solved with the Elrogs esp. the Mo.

So as far as Old vs New EC sound, where do the Zana Deuxes and the BA sit?

@caute A bit warmer and wetter I think. The BA (with EML PX4 mesh output tube) seems to be slightly warm sounding to me. The owner told me he used to own 1st gen Zana Deux which is even warmer than the BA according to him.

As an owner of the BA and prior owner of a ZD, I concur.

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Thanks it's not really clear. I use my nephew's patron account.

Just let me know. Will up you to contributor.

Thanks for checking it out @purr1n .