Attention EEMinimax preamp owners !!

peter59 · « **on:** 16 Feb 2006, 02:50 am »

I want to know how many of you are still using this in your system. I have heard nothing but glowing reviews for this preamp. I want to know if any of you have the modded version. I am about ready to make my decision to purchase but still need some convincing.

thanks

ryno · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Feb 2006, 04:41 am »

I picked up a used one a couple months ago. Went on the EE fourm and picked up the flava of the day tubes, and am switching back and forth with an IRD purist. Both do different things well. Maybe modded would push it over the top.
Preliminary reports:
IRD: quieter, blacker background, more depth to the sound stage
minimax: more dynamic, fuller, both especially at lower volumes
With the IRD, I feel like I'm back further, with great stage depth, The MM, I't feels like I'm in the 1st or 2nd row, with the sound stage in front of the speakers.
I prefer the deep soundstage.
Maybe with more time on the tubes, only about 20 hours, different tubes, or modded, the MM could improve in this aspect.
You can really tune this pre with tube rolling, different tubes make a drastic difference.
I can't compare to other tubed pre's, this is my first.
Tubes: tungsol 6X4WA, RCA 12BH7A, brimar 13D5
Ryan

carusoracer · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Feb 2006, 08:55 pm »

Quote from: peter59

I want to know how many of you are still using this in your system. I have heard nothing but glowing reviews for this preamp. I want to know if any of you have the modded version. I am about ready to make my decision to purchase but still need some convincing.

thanks

Most reviews hit it right on the head when it comes to the MiniMax.
The Modded version loses some gain,has much deeper bass,and a little nicer soundstage. I have had both versions. The MiniMax really responds to Tube changes with in your system. It is a great buy!
The only other Pre that would remove it from my system is a Modwright at this time...

BTW,anyone have any NOS 12AU7's Pre 60'

bacobits1 · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Feb 2006, 06:08 pm »

Excellent little, simple Pre. I have the updated version and a bunch of tubes to tune it to my system. I have an all EE Mini Max System, Phono and Amp but not the CD. I love it! I like it better than my AI M3 had awhile ago.
If you buy new you have 30 days to evaluate it. Any other questions PM me.

Let me add the reviews are correct. Fit and finish is real nice too.

Using right now a NOS Mullard 6X4, RCA Clear top 12AU7, Brimar 13D5
Extremely nice combo.

D

ryno · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Feb 2006, 07:45 pm »

Hey Baco
What were the differences you noticed between the stock and the modded, if you had the stock?
Did morningstar do your mods?
Thanks Ryan

nature boy · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 Feb 2006, 07:49 pm »

I am using the original EE Minimax unmodified unit with NOS tubes in my system and enjoy it immensely.

NB

Carlman · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Feb 2006, 11:32 pm »

Last I recall, the 'upgraded' version worked a little better with solid state amps and the non-upgraded worked fine with tube amps but not quite as well as the upgraded. So, if you have a tube amp, it likely won't matter which one you get but if you have SS, the upgrade may be better.

However, the differences with various tubes are what keep most people interested in the EEMM. I thoroughly enjoyed my EEMM pre. It took a 3,k preamp to replace it, if that says anything.

-C

bacobits1 · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Feb 2006, 02:02 am »

Ryan, I did not have the original it was purchased upgraded from Morningstar. The power supply was beefed up, changed caps, lost some gain on the volume and bass was improved. This, I got from EE board when Bill first started doing the upgrade.

Den

Carlman · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Feb 2006, 02:31 pm »

Quote from: bacobits1

Ryan, I did not have the original it was purchased upgraded from Morningstar. The power supply was beefed up, changed caps, lost some gain on the volume and bass was improved. This, I got from EE board when Bill first started doing the upgrade.

Den

Where is the 'EE Board'...?

ryno · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Feb 2006, 03:30 pm »

http://www.eeaudio.com/phpbb/index.php
It's been a bit slow lately.
Ryan

lcrim · « **Reply #10 on:** 25 Feb 2006, 04:50 pm »

I just saw this thread but last Wednesday I received a new, modded and upgraded EE MM preamp. Having read about this piece and its glowing reviews, I took the plunge and put it into a system w/ an EE MM power amp and Sonus Faber Concertino Homes and a Rava sub. I had been looking to relace the Concertinos w/ "real" full range speakers but on a whim, replaced the 6SN7 based AE-3 (Audio Electronic Supply/Cary) with this little wonder. I never disliked the smooth, octal sound of the AE-3 but always suspected something was missing because it doesn't have a tube rectifier. The texture of the music is now more apparent, sometimes thats good and sometimes not.
I first put the Haltron 6X4 in and have been listening to mostly vinyl today w/ the Tungsol rectifier. Bill included a GE 6414 for the middle tube (buffer) and the stock 12AU7 in the right.
The additional detail is astonishing over the smooth nature of the 6SN7. The bass gains have added a presence that was previously lacking. I backed off some of the toe-in on the SF monitors and was rewarded w/ a wider sound stage. The upgraded version has a higher input impedance and less gain but even with vinyl, this hasn't caused me to crank the gain. I do notice that timber and tone are perhaps heightened a bit beyond what is natural but this has for the most part made things more dramatic. It is not a criticism just a different view. Stringed instruments reveal themselves in a way that simply tugs at you. I'm listening to Yo Yo playing Mozart at the moment and damn.
Anyway, this pre has a very specific character and it is really sensitive to tube rolling and having said that i must add that I am very pleased with it.

bacobits1 · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Feb 2006, 11:34 pm »

How does the Mini Max System compare to the Decware Parker system?
What tubes are you using in the Mini Max Amp?

I had the Decware Sig SV83 DC Monos with Speltz Zero Autoformers.

D

lcrim · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Feb 2006, 04:07 am »

The EE MM power amp has a Mullard GZ34 for a rectifier and presently the 6BM8's are NOS Motorolas, 2 from GB and 2 from Holland, but I'd use the Svetlanas if I could find them.
The Decware/Parker system is in a much smaller room and I can only get the Parkers about 5.5 ft apart. The room is very well damped. The Parkers are really tailored to the Decware as they are very low impedance. The Decware /Parker system was acquired as a piece. I was pretty certain that it would be a great combination. I've added a sub and a George Wright pre/phono (WPL11) and improved the sources over time. The Decware is not a typical warm and romantic sounding SET amp. I like the sound of the EL84 power tube a lot.
The EE MM system is in a more expansive space and is just as revealing of upstream issues as the Decware. The speakers (Sonus Faber Concertino Homes) are rated at 88dB and rated as a 6 ohm load and are well controlled by the little 8 Watt per channel amp. I played with this system quite a bit before reaching the current configuration.
I think that both systems reveal the texture of the music in addition to sounding quite detailed. Obviously I prefer the sound of tubes.
Neither amp generates a lot of heat or requires biasing. Tube rolling has not been terribly expensive in the case of either amp. These are considerations to me.