E.A.T. - European Audio Team E-Glo FB Phono Stage

FB – Fully Balanced – State-of-the-art fully balanced and fully discrete tube phono stage with MC step-up transformer

• NEW fully balanced throughout all stages: Input, gain, EQ, sub-sonic, output
• NEW fully balanced real tube amplification – not just tube-buffer or single ended tube usage
• NEW balanced XLR input for MM & MC cartridges
• NEW 4x ECC83 and 4x ECC88 tubes
• Semi-crystalline hydrocarbon polypropylene film capacitors instead of previously used MKP capacitors in gain and RIAA stage
• Ultra-low loss factor, highest frequency and temperatur stability and longevity
• Fully discrete MM & MC phono stage design
• Lundahl step-up transformer for MC stage
• Rectifying circuitry uses special diodes with noise suppressing resistors
• Fully split-passive RIAA equalisation
• Power supply with custom made toroidal transformer comes in separate matching box
• External PSU s exterior aluminium case redesigned to match the main phono stage unit s look
• Dimmable & colour changeable tube LED backlighting
• Magnetic side panel options: high gloss Makassar or piano Black
• Available in silver or black

The E.A.T. E-Glo, first shown privately to the trade at CES in Las Vegas in January 2013, received a fine update in the form of the E-Glo 2 ten years after its original debut. Like the original and the E-Glo 2, the E.A.T. E-Glo F B is an all-tube phono stage completely free of semiconductors in its signal path. The E-Glo F B adds two ECC88 tubes into its circuitry allowing for a fully balanced tube-based design and fully balanced operation through all amplification stages. Its tube complement now consists of the four ECC83s and four ECC88s glassware. The use of these valves will ensure that supplies of replacement tubes are always readily available, while experimentation is encouraged for those who love to fine-tune the sound of their systems by changing tubes, such as EAT s premium offerings.

The MC stage: step up transformer

For the MC stage, we fitted a Lundahl step up transformer with an amorphous core, type LL1932. The unit s gain is 45db, plus the voltage gain of the step-up transformer. The amplifier section uses split, fully passive equalisation, without any equalisation in global negative feedback loop, which can harm the sound.

NEW is the balanced XLR input for MM & MC cartridges. MC cartridges or balanced MM cartridges* are a necessity for fully balanced operation, and the new XLR inputs enable you to reach new levels of pristine phono amplification without any added interference and unprecedented low noise floor.

• Please note: typical MM cartridges are not compatible with balanced phono stages as they will exhibit increased noise in the right audio channel due to the grounding of the internal cartridge generator. Modified, special balanced versions of MM cartridges are available and only those MM cartridges should be used with balanced phono preamps like the E-Glo FB.

Updated Components

At this level of performance, only the best components will suffice. The choice of output capacitor is the highly-praised Mundorf. Mundorf Connectors with Teflon insulation have been chosen for their unparalleled integrity. We have replaced previously used MKP capacitors with polypropylene film capacitors. They are used in the signal path and in the passive equalisation circuit.

In particular we have chosen a semi-crystalline hydrocarbon film, which is the undisputed #1 for high performance audio. These capacitors meet the highest demands in terms of application safety, pulse load, AC voltage and dielectric strength. Unique is the stability of the excellent electrical parameters, especially the vanishingly low temperature and frequency dependence of the capacitance value as well as the ultra-low loss factor.

External Power Supply

Ensuring quiet operation is the use of an external power supply that is included on delivery. Machined in a matching full aluminium case, it is connected to the E-Glo F B via a special 9-pin connector, familiar to those who recall the legendary Cello Palette preamplifier.

Its heart is a custom-made toroid transformer. The transformer features double shielding between the primary and secondary windings. This avoids the intrusion of RFI, while acting as superior mains filter.

Separate power supplies feed the tube phono preamplifier because the best way to shield a mains transformer from electromagnetic radiation of is to distance it from the electronics. Metal shielding alone cannot perform the task as well as a separate power supply.

State-Of-The-Art

For the rectifying circuitry, E.A.T. fitted special diodes with noise suppressing resistors. Also employed are high-quality electrolytic capacitors, followed by a voltage regulator with capacitor multiplier. The power component is a FET transistor.

E.A.T. s E-Glo F B is a state-of-the-art phono stage able to extract the ultimate performance from any cartridge it s asked to accommodate.

A Feast For The Eyes

The handsomely styled E.A.T. E-Glo FB is housed in a full aluminium chassis, its valves peering through with new selectable valve illumination. Across the front section are rows of switches for instant access to all settings no need to "get inside" to set the E-Glo 2 for your cartridge of choice.

NEW optionally available mangetic side panels, available in real makassar wood or piano black, offer additional style for your E-Glo FB.