Eddie Current Classic Phonostage / Phono Pre

Discussion in 'Vinyl Nutjob World: Turntable and Related Gear' started by purr1n, May 12, 2019.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Eddie Current Classic Phonostage is now available for orders. Ten units in the first run.

    It's now in two chassis to isolate power transformer, so price increase from what was initially estimated. It's $900 and it's a steal. 6SL7 to 6SL7 to 6SN7. The 6SN7 is a buffer. Passive RIAA. Its MM only. Get SUTs if MC. Sounds fantastic with Ortofon Red, Bronze, and any of the Nagaokas.

    Prototype impressions, note that I have not heard the production version yet (no changes). https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/eddie-current-classic-phonostage.7387/

    upload_2019-5-12_12-8-33.png
    upload_2019-5-12_12-10-15.png

    Five points to whomever points out the silkscreen error (LOL, this seems to be an EC trend going back to the dumb accident BW Arial font).
     
    Last edited: May 12, 2019
  2. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    SERICABLE

    Too easy :p
     
  3. khragon

    khragon Acquaintance

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    Sorry newb question, what's SUT?
     
  4. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Step up transformer?


    Edit, just saw the question:
    *eddy current, multiple times.

    ... I'll stop trolling now. Turntable stuff so definitely not my business (yet) :))
     
    Last edited: May 12, 2019
  5. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    No V in serviceable


    Damnit, Bio beat me to it.
     
  6. insidious meme

    insidious meme Ambivalent Kumquat

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    Yes.
     
  7. khragon

    khragon Acquaintance

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    Thanks, any particular recommendations? I'm running Rega Planar 6 with Ania cartridge. Interested in trying the EC phono stage. I'm currently using Rega Fono MC.
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Jensen MC2RR Isomax.

    I used the same 44 SUT, but wired up in a DIY box. The 44 is the lower line model, but I think I might have actually preferred this to the higher line 346 with this phonostage.

    Plenty of leeway for tonal balance adjust with the 6SL7 which is still available and reasonably priced. Just ask when the time comes.

    I'd opt a warmer sounding brown base 6SL7WGT to replicate the Fono MC's sig. Stay with new production Tung-Sol with the remaining tubes to keep things simple when starting out.
     
    Last edited: May 12, 2019
  9. khragon

    khragon Acquaintance

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    Thanks, will look into it. Would be cool if EC produce an SUT to pair with this Phono Pre.
     
  10. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    Finally I had a chance to pick this up from the FedEx center. I started listening to it last night and comparing it to my RS Nighthawk phone pre.

    The chain involved: VPI Classic 1 (periphery ring and center weight) w/ Zu Denon 103 (non R) and Phoenix Engineering tach and speed controller--> RS Nighthawk/DIY Cinemag 1254 SUT-->EC Classic phono pre--> Pioneer M-22/DIY WHAMMY amp--> DIY Fostex BLH w/8ohm Viawave ribbon tweeters crossed over up around 10k/HD600

    IMG_2196.jpg
    Humm and interference with phono pre amps have always bothered me, and the Nighthawk was the first after trying several different options that almost completely eliminated it all together (including several option upwards of $1k, EAR... cough cough), only near wide open levels can anything be heard (which is way to loud to be playing music at). The EC Classic pretty darn near matches it in that regard, the separate power supply, and umbilical cord can be thanked for that.

    I started listening with my speaker setup and it does seem the placement, depth, and focus of vocals and instruments Trump the Nighthawk. This advantage becomes much less apparent with headphones though.

    Tonally, it's easier to pick up the Nighthawk's cleaner and clearer mids on headphones, but it's almost a wash on speakers. Otherwise it's fairly hard so far to differentiate the sound between the two, more listening time will be in order and an update will be provided when round 2 happens...

    I also have the T15 phone pre kit coming from Russia courtesy of @Zampotech (actually it just cleared customs yesterday after sitting impounded for a month). It should be an interesting tube phono pre showdown. The T15 also has a separate power supply and it's a 1/4 of the price.

    I have no plans on rolling tubes in the EC Classic, the included modern production JJ and Tung Sol glass will hold the fort. I do at some point plan on picking up a pair of the Jensen transformers and comparing them to the Cinemag 1254's in a SUT cage match.

    With more work than ever and outdoor activities ramping up, I would rather listen to vinyl when I have the chance for music. I'm glad my DMC-2 DAC went to a great home, and the new owner is enjoying it.

    Time to go out and install the rack for the roof top tent that I should be picking up next weekend. If everything is as good as the seller claims, and the deal goes through, I'll do a post in the outdoor thread, along with a ton of other camping goodies I've been acquiring.

    EDIT: This post was brought to you by Miami Sound Machine's "Primitive Love" Album OG pressing.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 20, 2019
  11. Cakecake

    Cakecake Guest

    Disappointing to hear nighthawk and classic sound similar enough that it's hard to distinguish the two on first listen.
     
  12. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    They are almost exactly the same price as well. Unless you have speakers, you may not need to bother with either and just get a mani or TC-750 (which I think is much better than the Mani with mini mods and industrial power supply).


    Roof platform ready to go.
    IMG_2199.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 21, 2019
  13. Cakecake

    Cakecake Guest

    This is what purr1n said "This thing with the cheap Jensens destroys every $3500-$6000 tube phonostage that I have heard", guess either your chain isn't resolving enough or this phono is so-so.
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I still have the Nighthawk and didn't think they were in the same league or two in terms of soundstage layering, resolution, and extension at both ends. Ran with vintage tubes and cheapest Jensen SUTs (which exceeded my expectations and I think I might prefer over the warmer sounding more expensive Jensens). This was on my Oris/Lowther and big woofer/OB setup biamped for with the custom 45/Vidar. TT was Classic 4 with Ortofon Cadenza Bronze MC.

    I'd take one to compare at Brent's who is doing a showdown, but Craig sold all his units and doesn't leave an extra one around. Not my problem.
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2019
  15. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    99.9% of the people's gear on SBAF isn't resolving enough. Check out Purr1n's gear check above and his TT set up. I also don't have the catalog of experience with phono pre's.

    Like I said the big difference I heard was with speakers and stage depth, imaging, placement, etc. When the Russian phono pre arrives and if I feel there is not enough difference in my system the EC Classic will be up for sale.
     
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Haha. I might settle with the TC-750 myself and the cheap Jensen SUTs. I just don't want to spend serious money anymore on audio gear and then tube roll to get the results I want. Would rather get shit for the Jeep to bring this around to places:
    IMG_20190720_143705.jpg
     
  17. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    If I'm free, I can bring mine with stock tubes to Brent's for a Battle Royal. I'm tied up next weekend though. I'm free tomorrow after my hangover wears off, late morning.
     
  18. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    You do know that Jeeps are for cheerleaders, tho, right?
     
  19. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    I guess Purr1n and I, will be cheerleading and drinking beer while you dig your own grave. I might even pass out on it and fabricate a tombstone made of 10 speed bicycle rims when I wake up from my drunken laughter induced nap.
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Cheerleaders + Jeep =

    Disemboweled and dismembered bodies on the highway.

    I keep away from those. Nothing worse than four girls in an open top Jeep with a distracted driver. It's worse than driving and texting.
     

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