Phono Preamplifier E.A.T E-GLO S

The Czech brand offers a high-end tube phono preamplifier, powerful and elegant at a more affordable price than previous versions.

E.A.T E-GLO S: Enclosure

The E.A.T E-GLO S is built in a solid aluminum chassis. It is adorned with two Makassar wood side panels. On top, the two gain tubes protrude. They are protected by aluminum "saucers." It is noticeable that the tubes are surrounded by Cool Damper Eat in red aluminum.
The controls are also on the top of the case and are accessible via switching keys. The front panel features LEDs indicating the selected settings: the R load, the C load, and the gain.
On the back of the device, there is simple connectivity, two RCA inputs and outputs, as well as the external DC power supply socket.

E.A.T E-GLO S: Technology

The E.A.T E-GLO S is a hybrid phono preamplifier using ECC83 tubes (double triode) in the first and second gain stages. For higher gain and reduced noise, the first stage uses a cascode connection of the tube with two low-noise J-FET transistors mounted in parallel.
This hybrid design aims to combine the musicality and timbre quality of the tube with the precision and stability of the transistor.
The RIAA curve is applied in a fully passive manner and divided into two stages, allowing perfect impedance matching between the gain stage and the equalization. This phono preamplifier is free of global feedback.
The essential elements of its design are the power supplies, which use anode voltage regulation and perfectly filtered voltage. This three-stage filtering guarantees a very low signal-to-noise ratio and ultra-quiet reproduction.

EAT E-GLO S: Settings

The Eat E-GLO S offers many adjustment possibilities.
The controls on the top of the case allow adjusting the MM impedance (47K) and MC (10 to 1000 Ohms – 6 values). The MM capacitance (from 50 to 420 pF – 7 values) and the gain (45 to 70 dB – 5 values). Additionally, there is a subsonic filter at 18 dB/octave. This acts at very low frequencies and does not affect audible frequencies.

EAT E-GLO S: Tests and Listening

The handling of the Eat E-GLO S is simple and its settings clear. After about ten minutes of warm-up, one is captivated by its great finesse of interpretation, resolution, and the beauty of timbres.
Its operating silence, transparency, and the nuances it delivers plunge the listener directly into the music. This preamp is neutral and transparent enough to highlight all the qualities of the associated low-level MC cartridge.
On acoustic instruments and complex pieces, it gives remarkable life to the music while offering superb delicacy when necessary. The low background noise level provides exceptional dynamics and magnificent transparency. This results in particularly realistic percussion with surprising nuances.
On Blues or Rock, the E-GLO S offers sufficient resolution and timbre accuracy to easily distinguish the brand of the guitar or amplifier!
It is often difficult to surpass the sound quality of tubes on vocals and strings where texture is paramount. The E-GLO S is superb in this area. Its most striking characteristic is, of course, this "tube" sound generally found on much more expensive devices…
The Eat E-GLO S phono preamplifier is a real revelation, and in its price range. Below 3000 euros, it seems to have simply no competitor!
The Eat E-GLO S is aimed at those who want the best of analog, without compromise in terms of musicality and performance.