Are there any other EAR 834P modders lately?

I'm wondering if you guys could help me out as EAR has been less than helpful. A long time ago I purchased an 834p that was supposed to be mc and mm - it has the switch - the box says so etc. - but come to find out from my tech there is no mc stage! The two parts for it in the back corner aren't there. Talk about frustrating - anyway, could anyone tell me what those two parts are exactly (OEM) so I can have him put them in? EAR wants a gob of money for them but wouldn't tell me what they are.

The two parts are most likely the two SUT's (step up transformers). The "MC stage " is comprised of the MM stage+SUT's. You may find this thread to be helpful:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1278350882&read&keyw&zzsut+shootout

Food for thought: The EAR sounds much better (in absolute terms) without the SUT's in the signal path. Have you considered a top MM cartridge? In my experience, with anything less than a top MC, I get better results with a good MM and no SUT's. Good luck.

Revdog. Frogman does know his stuff. I however really get good sound with my setup with a step up transformer. It is a winding of wire that has just the right amount of turns and shielding to step up the voltage without noise. Voltage is like water pressure. Amps ( current) is like the size of the water pipe. There can be a lot of water ( like in a big water pipe) but how long it takes to fill your bucket up also depends on the pressure ( voltage). The current or amps times the voltage gives you the watts. Somebody stop me if I say something wrong. Passive preamps and attenuators add resistance to the signal path and boost the voltage. This voltage pressure is what moves your speaker-as it changes pressure high and low back and forth, making airwaves from your speaker. Passive can be the purest sound, but can also degrade the sound if the transformer is not top notch. MC ( moving coil) cartridges are high current + low voltage output and needs to have the voltage stepped up to run many phono preamps. The button is a cheap step up transformer. A better one will make a big improvement.

As Frogman stated earlier, and I'm paraphrasing, the tube compliment you find most pleasing will be according to your own tastes, preferences and components/set-up. I've tried a few,( no where near most of you) and the Sylvania black plate, steel pin, 5751s were a let down in multiple configurations. While I'm not yet finished listening to different tubes, my current favorite set-up is V1 Telefunken smooth plate, V2 Mullard CV 4004, V3 60's Seimens. That's just me.

Mine has no internal mods. Replaced the stock RCAs with chassis mount WBT knock-offs. IMO, aftermarket power cord and isolation makes a substantial difference for the better.

Are the Telfuncan Smooth plates that much better than ribbed plates? My Fishers are ribbed plate. What do you all think? I am talking 12AX7 for the gain stage- V2 and V3.