I've been an Eros fan since it first came out and have had four versions of the circuit over the years (Eros one tape/phono, Tube Phono, Eros one, Eros 2). I'm down to an Eros one that was chronicled in another thread and a new, nearly stock Eros two that was build to keep my sanity during COVID for a second system. With a listening room that I actually want to spend time in I compared the two Eros in the main system. For background, the Eros one was built on a much larger chassis. I removed the servo circuit and went excessively overboard on the parts with recommendations from PJ and PB. The Eros 2 is stock other than two changes. I'm using the 6BR7 vs. EF86 only because I have 20 of them sitting around and Solen poly film and foil output caps (again because I had a stash not being used).
On first comparison, I was surprised that the Eros 2 sounded better that the one in a few keys ways. In comparing a vibraphone piece, an instrument I know well, the attack and decay were much more realistic with the Eros 2. As the Eros one had too many mods to think of where to start, I reached out to the expert, Mr. Paul Birkland for some advice. After talking through it he recommended swapping out the Solen Teflon film and foil output caps for poly film and foil. It took me a few weeks to get around to it but man am I thankful for his advice. It immediately cleared up the sonic abnormalities. Thanks PB!
The caps are breaking in and I'm really enjoying the sound. I'm not recommending going overboard like I did. It was an exercise in excess to attempt to get it closer to the sound of the Tube Phono. There is maybe a 5-10% difference in sound between the two phono stages in my system with subtle changes to soundstaging and realism. The Eros 2 is a much easier build and very well laid out. I could live happily with it as my only phono stage. It's nice to have two though!
Thanks team BH for continuing to improve upon this circuit and for your continued support.
