Eastern Electric Minimax PRE AMPLIFER.
SOLD!Excellent condition.
Pet free, smoke free, music saturated room.
A few years after their initial launch, Bill at Morningstar upgraded all the stock units to the consistent
praise of all listeners.
In addition, my unit was tweaked by Tom Tutay (one of the finest tube modders out there and a true blue gentleman). The goal was to provide a greater range in the volume control
and while he was at it he provided a means to further reduce the all ready low noise floor. The gain was reduced sligthtly and that has proved beneficial with the associated amplifiers I utilized. This should prove helpful with higher efficiency speakers. My range on the volume dial went from 8 to 9:30 to around 9 to 2:30. This makes it much easier to dial in the precise volume desired. The overall sound quality improved, too.
Both goals were readily achieved. BTW, if you ever need tube mods, I give Tom my strongest recommendation.
Re: Tom's mods. While Tom had the unit open, I thought it wise to ask what else can be done to improve upon it. He said with these final mods, he'd taken the minimax to the max. We'd reached any sane law of diminishing returns and any further upgrades would require widening the chassis and an ultra high $ parts swap.
I purchased a few NOS tubes for the unit, including the king of rectifiers, the Tungsol, an available option.
I will include one NOS 6x4 rectifier tube. Other tubes can be discussed and I'll provide a list shortly.
FWIW, I tend to do a lot of research before purchasing any gear.
I have several pages of information from a variety of sources singing the praises of this pre-amp as being a genuine giant killer, often besting $4,000 units. Happy to share that information with you upon request.These are rarely on the used market and I suspect that's because most owners are ecstatic with them.
I almost sold this last year, but I just couldn't find the right sound from another tube unit. But, I'm moving decisively in another direction hoping
that I'm making the right choice.
Feel free to ask questions.
I have perfect feedback on Audiogon and will share all that on request.
For those who like to tube roll, this unit provides many options. There are entire threads on tube rolling with this unit.Bill at Morningstar [EE's exclusive U.S. distributor] is extremely well versed in tubes AND he's a great asset to the audio community who
knows his stuff and stands behind his products.
Excellent condition. All original factory modifications included.
Original box, manual, etc. [Maybe even the white tube glove].
Additional tubes available.$700Thank you.
Some review excerpts. see MORE REVIEWS below the specs by Srajan at 6 moons--
From that perspective, the MiniMax trio will leave you wanting for nothing. To be honest, with a budget of $2,700 for amplification separates plus a digital front-end with headphone jack, comprehensive remote, HDCD and digital out; with this level of fit'n'finsh and sonics - I wouldn't know where else to go.
I should add that prolonged exposure to the rarefied airs of statement-level products -- whether one likes it or not --
tends to create a certain threshold below which one's attention quickly drifts and writes off components that others less jaded, over-stimulated or expectant could happily live with forever after.
Let's be clear that even being used to some $85,000+ worth of designer gear did not elicit sentiments of compromise from the company of these Eastern Electric minis. Outside of the soundstage which is truly gargantuan, aspects like dynamics and ultimate transparency are simply scaled back a bit as you'd expect. More importantly, the peach, though smaller, still tastes every bit a peach.
That's the most important accomplishment of affordable anythings - to spread their compromises around in such an even-handed fashion that you don't notice them. Areas of relative compromise here involve incisiveness, rise times, noise floor and ultra-dynamic voltage swings. But the areas of tone and timbre, richness and depth, flow and involvement step out of this relativity and stand proudly on their own against far more expensive gear. This simply means that if the latter qualities are your priority, there really is no good reason to spend more. None. Should you fancy the former aspects more, you can get closer to your dreams elsewhere but chances are very good that you'll end up with less of the other qualities in turn. This should give you a good idea whether MiniMax squared to the third power is good for you or not. Today's award is for the system as a whole which clearly benefits from additive magic in how the components gel with each other.
Going solo, it's the preamp that deserves an award - and we've already taken care of that in the past when we first came across it.Another happy owner wrote: I own one. Ive ran several audio research, Audible illusions M3a's ect. this little preamp sounds as good as unit 3-4 times its price. I suggest give it a try. Unit responds Very well to rolling and because of its design, matched pairs of tubes are not needed. Its fairly quiet but not the best. I have $22,000 speakers and im not looking to upgrade the preamp at this time.
Re: the original upgrade:
"The new upgraded MiniMax has a bigger power supply, and the Electrolitics in the output have been changed to polyproplene. There were some other internal tweeks performed which has lowered the output impedence to about 700 ohms. Also the gain has been lowered from 20db to 18db which is not a lot but it lets you use a little more of the volume control."
This quote is from Bill at Morningstar regarding the upgraded he did to all units. Mine was taken further up audio scale by Tom Tutay. The following pictures were taken very recently. I took the unit OUTSIDE in daylight so you can see everything, including the minimal dust.
She's a beaut.
SPECS
• Frequency Response: 10Hz - 150kHz
• THD: 0.015%
• Output: 2V
• Signal to Noise Ration: 93dB
• Input Impedance: 100K Ohm
• Output Impedance: 700 Ohm
• Total Gain: 20dB
• Power Consumption: 13Watt
• One 6X4, Two 12AU7 vacuum tubes
• All-tube linestage with 4 inputs
• Dimensions (W x D X H): - 13"
• Weight: 4kg
From website:
http://www.morningstaraudio.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=1&catid=1Description
The newly upgraded Minimax linestage preamp has been tweaked to the ultimate performance and adds more functionality. We think you'll agree this preamp represents one of the best values in hi-fi today.
The same principals apply as always, using the shortest signal path possible. So, you won't find a mute switch or a remote control. We chose only to add another input so you can control more sources through this amazing preamp. We believe the MiniMax is on a new plateau all by itself and our customers agree.
(see our reviews page)
The three dimensional sounstage that you can see and hear is achieved by the use of its 6x4 tube rectification. There is direct coupling between the buffer and amp stages, with each stage using a single 12au7 which produces a clarity that adds such realism to musicians performances it is palpable. You do not need to use a matched pair of 12au7's as any single one will do in either position. try the different brands and vintages of tubes that were made by the masters in the 40's, 50's and 60's. They say that the refining process of the metals used back then is far superior than even those used today.
Experience what extended frequencies really are. from deep bass notes that delineate the bottom end of a great bass line to the crisp strike of a cymbal to the soft brush strokes on a snare skin. Cellos that have that great wood tone or the beauty of a wind instrument and surrounding violins.
In our extensive research in designing this circuit, we auditioned many different combinations od capacitors and resistors and we believe found the exact mixture of capacitors from Europe and highest quality audiophile grade components which sets the MiniMax apart from all other preamplifiers in sheer musical enjoyment. Letting the music touch your heart and soul. Peace of mind knowing you never have to worry again about, is there another product out there that can bring me closer to the music? We don't believe there is and will put our MiniMax up against any challengers.
Listen for yourself as the MiniMax will easily create the musical presentation without grain or lestener fatigue for those late night listening sessions. Smooth liquid midrange that is like chocolate for the ears. Separation of instruments that is second to none. Soundstaging that brings the recorded performance into your listening room.
We offer a wonderful warranty, and as long as our MiniMax has not been tampered with or misused, we still stand behind our product for many years.
MORE REVIEWSFrom 'Enjoy the Music':
"A very dynamic, detailed, and fast linestage preamp that has been a great addition. to my two-channel system. Roger J. "
Click here for the full review.
Sure, highly trained audio reviewers make it sound like our gear is the best in its class… But what are people who actually purchased their Eastern Electric Equipment saying about it? Keep reading…
A review from AudioCircle, an audio forum with respected forum members:
"…have had my my Mini Max about six months now and I am just "floored" by its qualities. Vocalists male and female both come through with such depth, resolution and poignancy at times that it is almost phenomenal!. I am tremendously happy with every aspect of this little beauty!
Read more...
A review from a popular audio forum, Audio Asylum:
"Dynamics was the first thing that struck me on my first listen. I had a hard time reconciling the punchy bass and dynamics coming from such a tiny component. Once I got over that, I began to appreciate the transparency. I marveled at the crystalline clarity and sparkle of voices, cymbals, and guitar. Low level details were not obscured or blurred by any smearing or muddiness. Graininess, harshness, and etch do not come with this package. Sorry."
Click here for the full review.
More reviews from Audio Asylum:
"Don't let the low cost and minimalist approach put you off - mine replaced a Audio Research SP9 MKII ... left it in the dust would be a more fitting description."
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=general&n=335759&highlight=minimax&r=&session="I have had my my Mini Max about six months now and I am just "floored" by its qualities."
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=amp&n=36277&highlight=eastern+electric+minimax&r=&session" Don't be fooled by the price. I have compared it to preamps costing 3-4 times its price and it still was the preamp I preferred."
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=amp&n=43793&highlight=minimax&r=&session="I was still hanging onto my Hovland in denial that a relatively inexpensive preamp like the Minimax could better its sound. Then I decided to try the Minimax with my other reference amp, the McIntosh MC2000 and the contest was over. High end at a bargain price???…enter the Minimax"
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=tubes&n=112543&highlight=minimax&r=&session=A great review By Charles Vallejo on Audio Asylum:
"The vocals on the MiniMax are to die for, but you still get tight bass and great-extended highs. Fantastic. This is what tube equipment is all about, are you a tone freak, bass freak, vocal freak? Well this beauty lets you find your freak and forget about everyone else knowing you have achieved the sound that you enjoy. And that my folks is what it is all about"
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=tubes&n=119001&highlight=minimax&r=&session=
