[enzo]

Ric:
What will you price your amp at? Can you compete with DIY Audio's $1000 amp based on the latest LC Audio chip? Any plans for an integrated? TIA

[Ric Schultz]

The amp is now looking like it will be $1200....had to do some more stuff...he he.  As far as competitive....we will just have to wait till someone A/Bs them, won't we.  I will have optional built-in Ultimate Attenuators (1K shunt system).  Only one input however.  All the details will be on Marketplace later this week.

[eduardw]

Most of the mentions flaws, looks to be fixed. There is al lot of new info on their website

quote"
Not standard, but "Ferrari-tuned" ICEpower to our specifications
We do not use the standard OEM versions of ICEpower, but all our amplifiers contain highly modified, tweaked and fine-tuned output stages for best sound performance. Further, we have designed a short circuit protection of the loudspeaker output terminals which does NOT degrade the sound quality or the performance of the amplifier in any way. Not to forget, we do NOT use Switch Mode Power Supply, because we don't like the sound of this type of power supply (they are digital sounding), but a very well designed analog power supply is our "cup of tea". Now you may already understand the new eAR Plus and eAR Extreme amplifier models do not sound equal to previous models or any other amplifiers using the ICEpower technology (the ICEpower technology offer a nearly endless number of benefits, when used correctly, but only a very few designers know how to use this tremendious new technology; we believe we do).

Untraditional short circuit protection of the speaker output terminals!
We have integraded a short circuit protection of the loudspeaker output terminals into the inner ICEpower design of all our power amplifier models. The protection do NOT contain any resistors or other components in the signal path (other companies add resistors in the output signal path to measure the current), because this type of protection degrades the sound quality. Instead we have integrated our own proprietary protection circuit elsewhere into the inner ICEpower design! When we add this circuit the output peak current of each channel is limited to 60 AMPERE of the 500Watt (into 4 ohms) models and 30 AMPERE of the 250Watt (into 4 ohms) models. Do you want it or not? Yes, because our own proprietary design do NOT degrade the sound quality at all. If you shorten the amplifier to gound or one terminal to other terminal the amplifier will automatically restart after the shorten is removed and the music will continue. No reset button to be pressed after shorting the amplifier, but shorten the amplifier as much as you want or listen to music. Today it is impossible to damage our amplifiers, regardless of shorting the outputs or very heavy speaker loads, which can down to 0.1 ohm. No other digital amplifier in the World can handle this kind of abuse, but all the eAR amplifiers can!

New connector plate, which is VERY EASY to access
New connector plate, which is coming out of the triangle box (still the same great looking cover) has replaced the connector cave. It means it is now very easy to attach big and thick loudspeaker cables, also loudspeaker cables with for example banana plugs are very easy to attach. Further, you never have to fear you shorten the amplifier, but already mentioned on this site. The new connector plate is on the following amplifiers models: eAR One Plus, eAR Two Plus and the eAR Extreme models. Big and thick single-ended RCA/Phono plugs are easy to attach too and the power cord is inserted into the rear. The balanced XLR connectors are also easy to attach, but in case you use them it is necessary to turn around the amp because of space (we have experienced that only a few are using XLR, but very possible indeed). It means you don't have to turn around the amp (except for the XLR) when you attach your big cables. Amplifiers with the new connector plate are already shipping. New pictures of the new connector plate will be available soon.

Always great looking finish
Did you know that we always ship a spray to remove finger prints and maintain the surface of all amplifiers with matt polished finish? Therefore no finger prints, or if it should happen: Polish the amp, when using the spray it takes just a few seconds! (actually we believed it was illegal to air ship the spray, but we have newer had any complains from the shipping companies!)

[Ric Schultz]

This is good!  The very latest eAR amps are now protected on the outputs.  He needed to do this....very important.

The better connector thang is just for the $6200 and up now dealer only models.  The Enigma Plus (reviewed model) still will have the same connector "cave".

This is basically the "classic comics" version of the above...he he. For those that cannot read toooo much.

[ghersh]

With all the talk about digital amps on the circles lately this review may be relevant ..

http://www.sixmoons.com/audioreviews/acousticreality/enigma.html


reading between the lines he just can't seem to get away from tubes can he?

Just want to add my 2 cents regarding this thread.

First, about 6moons review which I didn't like a bit. Seems like the prevailing trend on professional audio critic is to be unoffensive as much as possible. so they normally don't compare the amps within the same price range, rather than compare those in different price ranges - and of course the standard conclusion is that ampliifier A (with the smaller price tag) is 'quite good and possible performs better than its price tag indiidcates', but OTOH amplifier B (with the higher price tag) still exceeds amplifier A in some respects. This conclusion is sooo bloody predictable, you may as well don't bother reading the whole thing. frankly, I think audio-community sponsored 'shoot-outs' are more honest, straightforward and iinformative.

Gettting back to Peter (the owner of EAR). A while back he had his own forum on Harmonicdiscord. Then he all of of sudden pulled out. His explanation was that he was going to cater for 'rich and famous' by creating butique equipment, and hence unwashed Harmonicdiscrd masses is something he doesn't want to deal with. OK, it was his choice. But then few folks from Harmonicdiscord did try to purchase and evaluate his amps, and gosh - they run into many problems. Constantely changing design. Constantly changing price tags. And dare you post something negative about EAR: even if Peter publicly promised never ever showed up on Harmonicdiscrd, once anything negative appears - surely enough he was there right away - with something like epileptic fit. Don't know if all those threads are still in Harmonic discord. The fact is that if you read through them you would get a definite impression is that Peter is quite unpleasant person to deal with. Perhaps he's only nice when deals with 'rich and famous'. As to me, I would be more interested in taking a closer look at either LC-clock based amps (like Exodus) or the one Rick Schultz is building (ICE Power based?). What I expect from both: an honest basic design, reasonable price tag, and not playing funny games.

[tdangelo]

I actually shorted one channel on my eAR2 Mark 1 - cost me $620 including shipping and about 30 emails to get Peter to respond.  Not worth IT!

[grub]

I gotta say that Peter is quite a nice guy when you meet him in person.  From what I saw of him at Marblefest, he was a friendly person, and still very excited about designing and building amps and speakers (he has quite an eye for the ladies too if I remember correctly).

I'd be wary to buy something from him because he is based so far away from here.  I can't argue with the sound of his amp though (except that the bass was a little too tight for my taste).

Lets just say that Peter's not ALL bad ; )

I think those threads Marbs linked are all gems, and I remember laughing out loud when I read them the first time!
-->grub

[kana813]

A better digital amp for less money is the TacT S2150. They've just lowered the price to $2990., which includes shipping in the 48 states.
www.tactaudio.com

The 2150 also allows you eliminate a preamp and DAC from your system.
The M/S2150 recently received one of stereotimes.com's product of the year awards.

[muralman1]

I had the pleasure of owning Peter's eAR2MKII. I had the displeasure of knowing Peter.

My amp cut out when playing Muddy Waters. Peter quoted, with shipping, $500 to $1000 to fix.

It says expressly in the manual, your warranty is null if you lift the hood for any reason.

There is no other component maker I know of that makes that stipulation. The problem turned out to be a $1.87 fuse.

I went even further than jumping ship after that. I got an amp builder acquaintance of mine to start building ICE loaded amps, the H2O. Now we have an American based company that builds terrific ICE amps at a fraction of the cost of overseas competitors (2k stereo/3k mono).

The H2O is not a hobby, or DIY amp. The designer, Henry Ho, is an admired class A amp builder, and high level electrical engineer.

The H2O is housed in anodized aluminum plates. It has a powerful proprietory analog power supply, first class large toroidal, four large power caps, Cardas connectors, and is fully balanced.

This sophisticated amp, to all listeners at my place, trounced the eAR2. Compared to the cold, steely eAR, the H2O has body, and warmth. The H2O digs deeper and firmer into the bass. It's highs are completely natural, without the bite of the eAR. The mids are palpable. The depth knocks a hole in the wall.

One recent H2O buyer has jettisoned his brand new EVO4 Gen II amps in favor of the H2O.

Unfortunately, Henry has been tardy in getting his site set up. He is an engineer. All I have is a phone number and a temporary email address for Henry.

[bambadoo]

Does it excist any pictures of the h2o amps.
And another company, called jjazz starts rolling out their ice powered amps. http://www.jjaz.dk/pages/amps/amp_index.htm

And of course here in Norway we have emblaaudio  http://www.emblaaudio.no/  Great reviews.
The ear amp got a descent review in a Norwegian magazine.

[muralman1]

Yes, I have pics. They are of a prototype model.  In a few days I will have my mono blocks I ordered. I will take pics and post them.

For the ones you posted, what is the dollar exchange rate?

The eAR review was mixed.  The H2O is far more sophisticated at a fraction of the price.

[OBF]

I'm no expert, but my understanding is most digital amp modules just need a power supply and whatever tweaks to the input stage.  Peter seems to have a pretty solid linear power supply with lots of filtering and has supposedly made a bunch of parts changes to improve the module itself..... so I'm just wondering what the new designer could have done to make such a massive improvement using the same module?  Did he redesign the ICE module?

[muralman1]

I'm no expert, but my understanding is most digital amp modules just need a power supply and whatever tweaks to the input stage.

 

Music is not steady. It has dynamic surges. This takes reserve muscle. The eAR has power caps and a transformer for those signal jumps. the minuscule analog power supply of the eAR lends a relatively thin, shallow portrayal. A group of us got to hear the H2O and the eAR2 running the same system. The H2O's beefy analog power supply lends body and warmth. It's five times larger transformer, and four times more capacitance translates into an amazing ability to hold a huge bass line while easily teasing the faintest background nuances. That takes reserve.

I owned the eAR. There is no contest.  

Peter seems to have a pretty solid linear power supply with lots of filtering and has supposedly made a bunch of parts changes to improve the module itself..... so I'm just wondering what the new designer could have done to make such a massive improvement using the same module?  Did he redesign the ICE module?"

One would like to think, I have sincere doubts Peter has done anything to the module itself. The B&O people would be doing that themselves. Looking at the insides of the eAR, one can see plenty of shortcomings. It doesn't matter what Peter says. The H2O is a lot better amp in construction and sound. It certainly is a lot more user friendly.  

What's more the H2O stereo costs one fourth the eAR2.

[lonewolfny42]

This digital model does a nice look to it... http://www.jjaz.dk/pages/galleri/amps_galleri.htm

[OBF]

I can see how a power supply with a lot more reserves could improve the sound.

What's more the H2O stereo costs one fourth the eAR2.

That's a pretty good reason.     Although I thought I read on AA that it's going to sell for around $2k?

[Horsehead]

This sophisticated amp, to all listeners at my place, trounced the eAR2. Compared to the cold, steely eAR, the H2O has body, and warmth. The H2O digs deeper and firmer into the bass. It's highs are completely natural, without the bite of the eAR. The mids are palpable. The depth knocks a hole in the wall.

Not trying to start any trouble here, but could you put into context your comments about the eAR being cold and steely and comments you made about it-

here
here
here
and here

Are there subtle difference between the two amps, or are we talking huge differences?  As the owner of the Rowland 201s, I'm trying to put into perspective just how good these H20 amps really are.  I mean if the H20 trounced the eAR, and the eAR trounced the Pass Labs X600s, I just can't see that dramatic difference of performance levels. Thanks.

[Tyson]

[moderator mode]
Please continue discussions of amps other than the one in the review in the 2 channel circle.
[/moderator mode]

[kana813]

"I can see how a power supply with a lot more reserves could improve the sound. "

You are right.  Adding bigger caps in the power supply doesn't always
improve the sound.

This new breed of amps requires capacitors with faster charging/discharging abilty, plus a high speed diode bridge and a quality transformer to feed them.

The quality of the caps is just as important as the size. I'd rather have a bank of smaller faster caps, then those big impressive cans.  

[muralman1]

I meant the steely cold description as a comparative statement. I should have spent more time. The eAR is a fine amp. I am talking about the 250 watt eAR2. I haven't heard the Enigma. Looking at the insides, at 6moons, it looks very much the same.

The eAR, as good as it is, errs, in my mind, on it's overemphasis of the cutting edge. It gives the sound a prickly nature. Also, be it the weak power supply, or some other omission, the mids are left too thin. This leaves me with the impression of a Teutonic hardness.

The generous use of power capacitance lends a solidity to large transients. The caps used in the H2O are the finest available.

I am not the builder. Henry is incredibly busy. I am getting answers to questions as they come up. These are large caps, but that shouldn't be construed as being "slow." If there is any real advantage of using lots of little caps, I know Henry would implement them.

The differences between the Pass X600, H2O, and eAR2 are major. Both the ICE amps produce a much clearer picture of the music. The micro dynamics lend a liveliness amiss in even the best solid states. The H2O melds the power of the big solid states with the finesse of the ICE module. This produces greater presence. All drivers of any speaker system are equalized. The result is a huge stage, and huge depth.  There were a number of us who heard all three amps. There was no doubt among all of us the H2O wins the three way match.

[Tyson]

I asked the discussion to be moved.  Since that request was ignored I'm moving it myself.