What it is
EAR 890 — stereo Class A push-pull power amplifier using 8× KT90 output tubes (4 per channel) with self-biasing. 70W/channel pure Class A; bridges to 140W mono. TdP "balanced bridge mode" output transformer design splits primary winding between anode and cathode for capacitive cross-coupling and extended bandwidth. Hand-built Cambridgeshire UK.
Stereophile review: praised even-handedness and superb midrange. Positive Feedback (Robert H. Levi): "I highly recommend the EAR 890 Power Amplifier. It is class A+ in my audiophile domain, and my new tube reference."
CRITICAL ELECTRICAL FIT: 25kΩ input impedance + 70W/8Ω + DF~15. Speaker matching: ≥88dB sensitivity preferred; impedance stability matters more than nominal nominal value. Multi-tap output transformer (4Ω/8Ω/16Ω) — match to speaker nominal impedance for lowest distortion.
Pre-amp pairing: drives well from EAR 868L/868PL/912 (transformer-coupled low-Z output) or any 600Ω-tolerant preamp. RCA + XLR inputs both available — rear-panel switch — gives full preamp flexibility.
Who it comes up against
13 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Characterful, PRaT, Reference, Romantic
Against the Anchored brief, the Longdog Audio P6100M Biamp 2x2 (4 units) keeps the slot decisively.
With the Emmae Reginae (custom), the pairing gives up most on bass control.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gains most on quiet-hours detail.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 890 is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
a little more drive and richness in the bassStereophile, Dudley, 2004
4 lost · Cavity-Native, Characterful, Romantic
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Leema Hydra II keeps the slot clearly.
With the Emmae Reginae (custom), the pairing gives up most on bass control.
With the Leema Neutron, the pairing gains most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 890 is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
Hydra II reference Leema stereo power ampLeema Hydra II positioning
4 lost · Artisan, Cavity-Native, Intimate, Reference
Against the Intimate brief, the NVA S300 Stereo (Artisan) keeps the slot by a whisker.
With the NVA P50SA MKII, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 890 is the stronger power amplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the NVA P50SA MKII gives up vocal presence under the Intimate weighting.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the power amplifier position.
3 lost· 1 won · Characterful, PRaT, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Characterful brief, the Audiolab 9000P keeps the slot clearly.
With the Neat Petite Classic, the pairing gives up most on bass control.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 890 is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
deep, tight, controlled bass without overbearingHiFiMART user review + Audio Tailor review
3 lost · Vocals-First
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
3 lost · BBC Sound, Vocals-First
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
3 lost · Artisan, PRaT, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units) keeps the slot clearly.
With the Emmae Reginae (custom), the pairing gives up most on timing and drive.
With the Exposure 3510 Preamplifier, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 890 is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
nothing soggy or slow, played rhythmically demanding musicStereophile, Dudley, 2004
2 lost· 2 won · BBC Sound, Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Sugden ANV 50 keeps the slot by a whisker.
1 lost· 2 won · Intimate, Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the EAR Yoshino 890 takes the slot clearly.
With the Music First Audio Baby Reference V2, the pairing gains most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 890 is the weaker power amplifier — yet it wins here on fit: the pairing with the Music First Audio Baby Reference V2 gains quietness at rest under the Silent Path weighting.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the power amplifier position.
SET 8W/ch tube power amp, classic Audio Note voicingAudio Note P1 SE positioning + Hi-Fi+ reviews
nothing soggy or slow, played rhythmically demanding musicStereophile, Dudley, 2004
1 lost · Cavity-Native
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Chord ULTIMA 6 keeps the slot clearly.
With the Emmae Reginae (custom), the pairing gives up most on bass control.
With the Music First Audio Baby Reference V2, the pairing gains most on tonal body.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 890 is the stronger power amplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Emmae Reginae (custom) gives up bass control under the Cavity-Native weighting.
a little more drive and richness in the bassStereophile, Dudley, 2004
Ultima 6 stereo with high-frequency feed-forwardChord Ultima 6 stereo positioning
1 lost · Anchored
Against the Anchored brief, the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair) keeps the slot clearly.
With the Neat Petite Classic, the pairing gives up most on bass control.
With the NVA P50SA MKII, the pairing gains most on depth of bass.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 890 is the weaker power amplifier for that brief.
1 lost · Twin Arms
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
1 lost · BBC Sound
No completion of this shape fits that slot's budget.
0 lost· 1 won · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the EAR Yoshino 890 takes the slot clearly.
With the Music First Audio Baby Reference V2, the pairing gains most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the EAR Yoshino 890 is the weaker power amplifier — yet it wins here on fit: the pairing with the Music First Audio Baby Reference V2 gains low-level clarity under the Silent Path weighting.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the power amplifier position.