European Audio Team (EAT) E-Glo Petit B Phono Stage

European Audio Team (EAT) E-Glo Petit B Phono Stage

E-Glo Petit B is a high-end, balanced and fully discrete tube-hybrid phono stage — the most compact member of EAT's balanced E-Glo family, alongside the E-Glo CB and E-Glo SB. It employs a fully balanced gain stage design: connecting your turntable to the XLR input takes advantage of the balanced signal path, letting the amplifier extract the musical information from the + and - signals while subtracting out noise picked up along the transmission. As an authorized EAT dealer in Buffalo, NY, Vinyl Sound can help you match this phono stage to your turntable and cartridge.

Key Features

• Balanced XLR input for MM and MC cartridges, plus balanced XLR output
• Fully symmetrical and discrete gain stage
• Hybrid tube design, 2x ECC83S tubes
• Fully discrete circuitry — no IC op-amps
• Precise split-passive RIAA equalisation
• Dual mono design
• Advanced power supply
• Small, compact form factor — the smallest chassis in the E-Glo balanced range
• Two turntables connectable simultaneously, with per-input settings stored in memory
• Switchable subsonic filter
• Dimmable, colour-changeable tube LED backlighting
• Optional magnetic side panels: high-gloss Makassar wood or piano black
• Available in Black or Silver
• Handmade in Europe

Hybrid Tube Topology

The balanced gain stage uses three discrete semiconductor operational amplifiers to process the + and - signal paths symmetrically before combining them into the first of two discrete RIAA equalisation stages, optimizing signal-to-noise ratio ahead of the EQ section. The second stage is a single-ended hybrid design combining two ECC83S triodes with one transistor, including the second RIAA EQ stage and a switchable subsonic filter. The output stage uses a dual discrete semiconductor op-amp to convert the unbalanced internal signal to balanced, maintaining low output impedance and low DC offset via dedicated DC servo circuits.

MC and Balanced MM Cartridge Compatibility

Connecting your turntable to the XLR input requires an MC cartridge or a specially modified balanced-compatible MM cartridge — a typical unbalanced MM cartridge will show increased noise in the right channel if used on a balanced input, due to how its internal generator is grounded. Any MM cartridge, balanced or unbalanced, can be used on the standard single-ended RCA inputs. Ask Vinyl Sound if you're unsure which input matches your cartridge.

Discrete Circuitry

E-Glo Petit B uses fully discrete audio circuitry throughout, rather than integrated IC op-amps. EAT states that, based on extensive listening tests, even the best IC op-amps don't achieve the same neutral, natural, dynamic sound as a discrete design — a standard IC-based phono preamp uses a few tens or hundreds of components, while a fully discrete design like this uses hundreds or thousands.

Power Supply

Unlike the CB and SB, which use an external outboard power supply, E-Glo Petit B has a selectable 230V/115VAC internal power supply built into its compact chassis. For a further step up in performance, the separately sold EAT LPS 2 linear power supply upgrade uses a low-core-saturation, vacuum-impregnated transformer with shielding between windings and a DC-blocker in its own enclosure — note that the LPS 2's cabinet is notably larger than the Petit B itself, so plan for the extra footprint.

Cartridge Loading Options

Gain ranges from 40dB up to 70dB, handled cleanly thanks to the fully balanced design. Two load impedance ranges are available — "low" for standard MC cartridges, and an unusual "high" setting that lets you fine-tune MM cartridge loading beyond the typical fixed 47kΩ found on most phono stages. RCA and XLR outputs can be used simultaneously for extra flexibility when connecting to multiple systems.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my existing MM cartridge on the balanced XLR input?
Only if it's a specially modified balanced-compatible MM cartridge. Standard unbalanced MM cartridges will show increased noise on the right channel if used on the XLR input — use the RCA inputs instead, which work with any MM cartridge.

Can I connect two turntables at once?
Yes, two turntables can be connected simultaneously, with each input's settings stored in memory.

How does this compare to the E-Glo CB?
E-Glo CB uses an external outboard power supply and a wider 395mm chassis. E-Glo Petit B fits the same hybrid tube-transistor circuit topology into a compact 186mm chassis with a built-in, voltage-selectable power supply, subsonic filter at 8dB/octave (vs. 18dB/octave on the CB and SB), and no separate polypropylene capacitor upgrade — otherwise sharing the same balanced gain stage and cartridge loading flexibility.

Is there an upgrade path for the power supply?
Yes, the separately sold EAT LPS 2 linear power supply improves noise performance further, though note its cabinet is notably larger than the Petit B's own chassis.