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EARMAX: THE REFERENCE HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER
THE NEW SILVER EDITION/ EDITION D'ARGENT
superb
detail, absolutely silent background, ultimate spatial definition
During the last 12 years we have had nothing but praise for these highly acclaimed Headphone Amplifiers. Ken Kessler was the first to establish that these amps were indeed something special - an OTL single-ended all valve high end amplifier, the cutest thing you could lay your eyes on, and the most amazing in sound quality.
Earmax Pro, now in piano black/chrome
Since that time, there have been 4 major improvements, firstly a new sleek machined
finish replaced the home-made "Fred Flintstone design" collectors'
item, and secondly the Pro version was introduced to cater for the low impedence
and difficult to drive phones, such as those by Grado and Sony.
The Pro version with this improved matching and more professional cabling and power connection has been heralded by Ken Kessler again and by What Hi-Fi, in their high end "Temptations" section, but the most recent review is that which was featured in Gramophone, the international Music Magazine.
To be featured, alongside all the other headphone amplifiers, especially all those which have been appearing out of the woodwork, to try to challenge the King for his crown, and to have been adjudged as the best of the lot, is extremely gratifying:
"Sounding big weighty and tremendously smooth, the Earmax cruises through the busiest of orchestral climaxes, always sounding fully in control while being capable of huge low-down slam. Compared with others (which included Naim, X-Cans, Creek, Headroom) , it may seem a little laid back at first... but you soon become aware that it's the other designs' emphasis on the leading edges of notes that accounts for this and that the Earmax is equally true to the source material....The Earmax impresses most with its presence...No amp here gives you that feeling of 'being there' quite as well as this tubed tot. Add to that its effortlessness, its ability to convey all the emotion behind a piece and its striking looks, and you have a headphone amplifier to treasure. The Earmax Pro.. is the best sounding unit in the group."
For the third improvementm the Silver Edition has become the new superior quality reference headphone amplifier, with its larger power supply, which offers 7 times the gain as on the Pro model and a new chic metallic finish. Now there is a silence noticeably black and amazing dynamics. In fact it operates totally without effort with only a little volume setting.
Earmax
Silver Edition
THE EARMAX SILVER EDITION, WITH A SUPERIOR METALLIC FINISH, CHROME-PLATED FITTINGS,
AND SUPER-SIZED POWER SUPPLY, GIVING 7 TIMES THE GAIN, IS PRICED AT £795
And
the fourth improvement; the new shiny piano black Earmax Pro II, picture to
be added.
Earmax Headphone Amplifier - Technical Data
Power supply Unit: 235V AC input, 19V AC output (350mA)
Short Circuit Protected/ Self-recovering/ meets EMC/VDE/CSA Specification
Bandwidth: 4Hz-1Mhz (-3dB)
Maximum Output Power: Silver: 50mWatts (peak), Pro: 10mWatts (peak)
Distortion: Typical 0.1Y-Max 1.0Y (soft clipping like a Single-Ended Triode
Power Amplifier, predominantly Second Harmonics). The Silver Edition has 3-5
times lower distortion.
Smoothing capacity: 2 x 4700uF
Input Impedence: DC: >100kOhms, 100pF, AC: 47kOhms
These sources may be used: CD, Tuner, Tape, DAT, Minidisc, Phono Stage
Optimum Load Impedence: >25-2000 Ohms
S/N ratio typically greater than 95dB (A-Weighted) (Silver)m 90dB (Pro)
Power consumption: 14-16 watts (Silver), 10-11watts (Pro)
The rectification, smoothing and filtering gives a cleaner power and higher
reserve of power, equivalent to a 30 or 40 watt integrated transistor amplifier.
The case is made from a specially developed high insulation very unmicrophonic
material
Valve replacement in the standard unit should be from specially sourced defunct
stock, direct from the Audiophile Club, otherwise the output valves are likely
to cause an unacceptable amout of distortion. Valve replacement in the Pro unit
is with ECC 88 output valves and a central ECC 81 input valve, high quality
matched valves being available from the Audiophile Club.
This diminutive unit, which fits on the palm of your hand measures: 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.75 inches (9 x 9 x 9.5 cm)
Prices: Earmax Pro: £595 Silver Edition: £795
And finally - the PHONO-MAX an MM/low output MC stand alone phono-stage, which is the same size as the Earmax itself. How do you tell the difference? There is no headphone socket! This is as you would expect an exceptional phono stage at an affordable price. Price £990
As suggested by Ken Kessler:
attach an Earmax to an I-Pod for Maximum resolution
Prices include UK Value Added Tax.
The Audiophile Club, PO Box 6477, London,
N13 4AY, United Kingdom
Tel. +44 (0) 20 8882 2822 ..Fax. +44 (0) 20 8372 3772
e-mail:
sales@audiophileclub.co.uk
10/04/08
