22/08/2025
So that's my personal version of the EAR 660 V2 finished (sat for the last week under power and holding firm). That was a journey and a half for me. Started with a schematic back in early lockdown, realising the schematic wasn't correct and then getting lucky enough to get original boards.
Freq response is between 5hz - 50khz. Noise floor is holding firm at -102db. One of the AC thresholds is out a tiny little bit but that's a 5min job to rectify.
Thoughts, incredible clarity, amazing topend. Doesn't lose the top with slow release which is a nuisance with most vari mu compressors these days. I've always said anyone can do low freqs, it's the top that set everything apart.
It can go from ridiculously fast to ridiculously slow and never once does it feel like you are losing anything under heavy gain reduction.
I kitted this out with the fancy Lundahls and all Elma gold plated switching. Those elmas just feel right having a bit of torque. Any audio lines off board are on the same belden shielding used by NASA on the spaceshuttle. All parts are matched for stereo. Went through too many timing capacitors to get a matched set to count really. Couple of original spec'd sowters in there for the detection circuit.
All in between parts and labour I reckon it's close to €12,000.
That cascode is stunningly beautiful and clear. Mind blown!!!
Now to drink some coffee, have a smoke and run it hard through it's paces
Big love to TDP. You are missed!!!
