What it is
EAR 868PL — full-function valve preamp (line + phono) with phono module option fitted. Phono section uses same circuit as standalone 88PB (4× PCC88, MM gain +52dB, MC gain +72dB via SUT, MM 47kΩ + capacitance switching). Line stage same as 868L. Combined chassis = single-box phono+preamp with no system penalty for not using a separate phono.
Hi-Fi World 5/5: "injects life into any system... dazzling transients, delicious intricacy and a superb phono stage." Forum users praise as "step up on the 864" with full-function feature set.
Compatibility: replaces standalone phono + line preamp combination — pair with any power amp directly via 2× XLR or 2× RCA outputs. Ideal partner for EAR 509/890 monos in vinyl-only systems.
For phono performance details, see EAR-88PB entry (same circuit; same gain, loading, and noise specs apply).
Who it comes up against
10 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Characterful, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Music First Audio Baby Reference V2 keeps the slot decisively.
With the Whest Audio 60Se Pro, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audio Note P1 SE, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 868PL (Line + Phono) is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Whest Audio 60Se Pro gives up quietness at rest under the Silent Path weighting.
had not heard a better preampStereophile (Art Dudley) — Baby Reference V1 review
had not heard a better preampStereophile (Art Dudley) — Baby Reference V1 review
9 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Characterful, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Anchored brief, the Audiolab 9000Q keeps the slot clearly.
With the Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 868PL (Line + Phono) is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the preamplifier position.
S/N exceeding 112dB A-weighted, THD <0.002%Audiolab 9000P/Q HomeTheaterReview specs + Audio Tailor review
8 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Intimate, PRaT, Reference
Against the Anchored brief, the NVA P50SA MKII keeps the slot clearly.
With the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair), the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC, the pairing gains most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 868PL (Line + Phono) is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair) gives up quietness at rest under the Anchored weighting.
pin sharp clarityNVA owner consensus (P50SA)
pin sharp clarityNVA owner consensus (P50SA)
4 lost · Cavity-Native, Characterful, Romantic
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Leema Neutron keeps the slot clearly.
With the Leema Hydra II, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 868PL (Line + Phono) is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Leema Hydra II gives up vocal presence under the Cavity-Native weighting.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the preamplifier position.
2 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the EAR Yoshino 868L (Line) keeps the slot by a whisker.
2 lost · Artisan, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the Exposure 3510 Preamplifier keeps the slot clearly.
With the Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units), the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 868PL (Line + Phono) is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units) gives up vocal presence under the Artisan weighting.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the preamplifier position.
1 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the Audio Note M2 Phono keeps the slot clearly.
With the Audio Note P1 SE, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 868PL (Line + Phono) is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Audio Note P1 SE gives up midrange truth under the Intimate weighting.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the preamplifier position.
868PL adds phono stage to 868L line preampEAR 868PL adds onboard phono