Ahh, now thats loaded question, Im just about to finish the pearl 3 and audition. I(Once Ive built the PSU) Ive just washed the PCBs and are still drying. The Peal 2 has bettered all that Ive tried against it in the past 5 years. Im hoping the Pear 3 will beat it but want know for a few days yet. The Pearl 3 is a no brainer as it comes with 'almost' everything you need to build it.
They powered up first time on the bench with no issues. Ive just got to check the R27 bias and I'll be good to go.
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Thank you so much, I am eager to see what you think. @mhenschel lol you are correct, I just found it. New to this site so...
So Ive thrown this thing together just to see:-
A) Will it all fit in one shoe box case, yes no problem.
B) Will it hum if I do A, the answer is yes, very very slight hum. I have to put my ear unto the speakers to detect it. Work in progress.. shielding round the Tx.
C) Does it sound better than the Pearl 2, early hours / days but yes it does.
Buy Buy Buy...
A) Will it all fit in one shoe box case, yes no problem.
B) Will it hum if I do A, the answer is yes, very very slight hum. I have to put my ear unto the speakers to detect it. Work in progress.. shielding round the Tx.
C) Does it sound better than the Pearl 2, early hours / days but yes it does.
Buy Buy Buy...
@arupgowda I’d suggest the Pearl 3 over the Pearl 2 just because the PCB set is a better value and come with a lot more components, and is easier to use with MC cartridges. I also think it sounds a little better.
Free to a good home: a 3 year old Pearl 2 with a wonky left channel. Worked great for a couple of years, and I loved the thing. Dead quiet, sounded amazing. Out of nowhere it started popping on high frequency peaks. I inspected my solder work, redid some. Replaced the ZVP3310A Mosfet in case I'd marginalized it during the original build. No joy. I'm kinda done trying to figure it out, and look! A Pearl 3 kit! I'm going to build one of those.
I could probably kit bash from this, etc, etc. but...maybe someone smarter than me can sort it out. See the pictures, it's not an embarrassing build. I don't think. But it's going to sit on a shelf doing nothing forever, so as a small way of giving back to this community, if you're not just looking to strip it for parts and you want to have a go at this thing, DM me. It's yours for the price of shipping. I'm in Southern California.
Best,
J
I could probably kit bash from this, etc, etc. but...maybe someone smarter than me can sort it out. See the pictures, it's not an embarrassing build. I don't think. But it's going to sit on a shelf doing nothing forever, so as a small way of giving back to this community, if you're not just looking to strip it for parts and you want to have a go at this thing, DM me. It's yours for the price of shipping. I'm in Southern California.
Best,
J
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@mhenschel
not XLRs, strictly speaking. got them on amazon
amazon.com/gp/product/B0819J3JQS
not XLRs, strictly speaking. got them on amazon
WEIPU WS16 Aviation Connector Male Plug to Female Socket Waterproof Metal Thread Panel M16 Connectors 3 Pins for AC DC Signal LED Industrial Equipment
amazon.com/gp/product/B0819J3JQS
My two cents on Pearl 2 vs Pearl 3. Pearl 2 is really about low output MC cartridges. Mine did fine with a HO-MC, 2.5 mV. Many had to lower gain for MM with mixed results.
The Pearl 3 handles this with NO issue. I tried it with all the cartridges I had at time, Ortofon Super OM 30, Shure V15 xmr, and SAE 1000 LT.
I ran Pearl 3 with the OM 30 and thought it better that Pearl 2, but a gain mismatch really. I bought new moving coil, AT 33ptg/2, and thought Pearl 3 was very nice. First thing that gives Salas phono pre any competition at all. Which is better, Salad or Pearl 3? That's a closer fight...to be fair, should try new MC with Pearl 2.
The Pearl 3 handles this with NO issue. I tried it with all the cartridges I had at time, Ortofon Super OM 30, Shure V15 xmr, and SAE 1000 LT.
I ran Pearl 3 with the OM 30 and thought it better that Pearl 2, but a gain mismatch really. I bought new moving coil, AT 33ptg/2, and thought Pearl 3 was very nice. First thing that gives Salas phono pre any competition at all. Which is better, Salad or Pearl 3? That's a closer fight...to be fair, should try new MC with Pearl 2.
Well, both a Salad and the Pearl 3 should be good for you, particularly if enjoyed together.
Actually, I am interested in the Salas and Pearl 3 comparison regarding sound flavor. I have the Salas and a Pearl 2, and find the Salas less colored sounding, yet so beautiful to listen to. I bought a Pearl 3 kit but haven't built it yet because it would seem to be maybe a little hotter than the Pearl 2 given the descriptions I've read. However, I am encouraged to read you like it better than the Pearl 2. If you have a chance to compare the Salas and the Pearl 3, could you PM me with any differences you perceive in overall sound flavor?
Thanks