The new EAR 861 power amplifierTim de Paravicini wants to prove the ETM circuit is capable of even greater things! The starting point of the design was the ‘859, and with some justification, the ‘861 could be regarded as a push - pull version on the ‘859, however, this is more than a slight understatement: Each output transformer has a massive 5 kilogram weight, with no feedback applied over it. The circuit is balanced push - pull from input to output, allowing balanced (professional) style inputs as well as conventional RCA phono jack socket. Similar to the ‘859, the circuit is direct coupled. Tube choice is not critical; perfect operation does not rely on matched tubes, or user adjustable bias.
Output power is 32 watts per channel, 20 hz - 20,000 Hz. The half power bandwidth is in excess of 16 Hz - 60,000 Hz, both with low, overall distortion, and no overall feedback. Tube compliment: 2 x ECC83, 6 x PCC88 and 4 x EL519. Amplifier weight: 27 Kilograms.
Subjectively the amplifier has the same ‘family’ sound as the EAR 859. Listeners will find it builds heavily upon this, with an increase in authority and attack. The lower bass has real grip and feel with this new amplifier, way in excess of the 64 watt power rating. While the treble is smoother, cleaner and sweeter, mainly due to the lack of overall feedback. A single word can sum up the new 861: Effortless. It has real power and control, the power to convey the emotion of the most demanding of recordings; be it our preferred analogue or digital.