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Estimated price (community-sourced)
Around — community and catalog average, updates slowly
The EAR 912 is a studio-grade valve preamplifier designed by Tim de Paravicini, optimized for both vinyl enthusiasts and modern multi-source line-level systems. It uses five PCC88 (7DJ8) tubes—three dedicated to the phono stage and two for the line stage—running in pure Class A single-ended operation. The phono stage supports both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges, with switchable gain and input impedance, including a step-up transformer for MC cartridges with selectable primaries (3, 6, 12, 40 ohms). The preamplifier features transformer-coupled line stages with both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) outputs, and relay-based input selection to minimize signal path length and noise. It includes dual analog VU meters built to studio ballistic standards for precise level monitoring and gain adjustment. The chassis sports a durable brushed anodized aluminum front panel available in silver or black, with solid aluminum handles. The EAR 912 offers four line inputs (RCA), two balanced inputs (XLR), two phono inputs (MM/MC), two line outputs (RCA), two balanced outputs (XLR), and a tape monitor output. It weighs 13 kg and measures 270 mm (L) x 490 mm (W) x 135 mm (H), consuming about 30 watts of power. The preamplifier is renowned for its very low noise, high headroom, low distortion (<0.1% at 1 kHz, 3V output), excellent RIAA equalization accuracy (±0.2 dB from 30 Hz to 20 kHz), and superb sonic detail retrieval, making it suitable for both audiophile and professional studio use.
Amplification power output and characteristics
Analog signal output specifications
Input and output connections
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions
Components that show up alongside the 912 Tube in real systems. A verdict means the pair has been checked for compatibility and headroom — open it to see how the two get along.
Every pairing for the 912 TubeThe closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The Magnetic's signal-to-noise is 100 dB against the 912 Tube's 90 dB, its thd 0.060% against 0.100%, and its input sensitivity 1.0V RMS against 0.8V RMS. Both share class (A).
The Marconi II's thd is 0.010% against the 912 Tube's 0.100%, its output voltage 12.0V RMS against 6.0V RMS, and its input sensitivity 0.1V RMS against 0.8V RMS. Both share signal-to-noise (90 dB).
The C2800's signal-to-noise is 100 dB against the 912 Tube's 90 dB, its thd 0.080% against 0.100%, its output voltage 5.0V RMS against 6.0V RMS, and its input sensitivity 0.9V RMS against 0.8V RMS.
The ATE-2001's signal-to-noise is 78 dB against the 912 Tube's 90 dB, its thd 0.080% against 0.100%, its output voltage 2.0V RMS against 6.0V RMS, and its input sensitivity 0.0V RMS against 0.8V RMS.
Conrad Johnson ART MkII
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