Overview

The EAR 324 is the perfect solution for the vinyl-loving audiophile who demands the highest quality and the greatest flexibility. It features perfectly tailored inputs for both moving coil and moving magnet cartridges and offers accurate, low-noise amplification with vanishingly small signal degradation.

It has long been realised that amplifying the tiny signal from phono cartridges is one of the hardest jobs in electronics. Designer Tim de Paravicini has been devising elegant and efficient solutions to the problem over several decades, and the 324 represents the summary of his thinking. A fully transistorised product, it draws heavily on his acclaimed '312 Control Centre' preamplifier in its circuitry but adds flexibility with switchable input impedance for both moving coil (MC) and moving magnet (MM) cartridges. Two separate inputs allow easy switching between two turntables (or two arms on one turntable), ideal for the serious collector who may have a separate deck and pickup for mono discs.

Balanced and unbalanced outputs with a low source impedance ensure that any line preamplifier can be comfortably driven through almost any amount of good quality cable. Gain is equivalent to 54dB at 1kHz (1.2V out for 2.5mV in, MM) but can be reduced by 6 or 12dB if needed. Absolute phase is switchable and mono operation can also be selected.

Specification

About the brand

E.A.R. is the brainchild of Tim de Paravicini, whose name has been associated since the 1970s with electronics of the highest fidelity. De Paravicini's innovative techniques have not only borne fruit in products for E.A.R., but in designs for some of the world's most highly regarded electronics manufacturers. Some of these designs have been continually prized--and sought--by discerning listeners for decades after their introduction.

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