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EAR/Yoshino LTD. 861 Amplifiers

5/5

(1 Reviews)

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The EAR 861 has an open chassis design, mostly black enamel with chrome bell caps on the transformers. The faceplate is chromed with a single illuminating pushbutton power switch. The power transformer sits front and center, with the individually caged output tubes flanking it and running along the sides. The output transformers sit in the rear comers of the chassis, completing a "U" shape when viewed from above the amplifier. industrial chic. Aside from the usual connectors in the back, there are inputs for XLR plugs and potentiometers for adjusting the input level to match the 861’s sensitivity with the preamplifier’s output.

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Submitted by Johan R a AudioPhile

Date Reviewed: May 3, 2013

Bottom Line:

This amp has been the heart of my audio system since 2006 and still is (2013). 32wcp/class A works just fine on my ~90dB Tannoys. This fabolous amp simply give the right mix of control, neutrality, finesse, transparence and the little touch of magic (meaning: out of the way).

It easily puts my second amp (Bryston 4BSST) to subwoofer-duty. And the Bryston is better than my third amp (LabGruppen IP-450). They (The SSs) are survivors against stuff like Arcam, Parasound, Rotel, Aragon, Electrocompaniet, Thule ++.

I've been listening to quality valveamps like CJ-Premier 11A (very good), Mastersound 845, Opera 211. The 861 stayed and stays because of it's (in my ears) "perfect" mix of neutrality and soul. Ok, slightly more midband focus than the Bryston (neutrality-vice), but still close. The real difference lies in it's ability to let you excite and involve.

Gets hot, not cheap. But a real quality product. I give it a 5-star value rating because this amp has been faithfull and has put an efficient stop to my amp-swingerism.