Phasemation

Product

Phono AmplifierEA-200

An all discrete all non-feedback step type phono-equalizing amplifier which draws out the music's reality and the artist's passion carved in the record

Recieved Prizes

Stereo SoundBEST BUY COMPONENTS 2013-14 Phono Equalizer Amplifier 3rd Prize
Ongen PublisingAudio Excellence Award 2013 Bronz Prize
Ongen Publisinganalog Grand Prix 2014 Gold Award
Seibundo-shinkosha2013 MJ Technology of the Year Analog Components Excellent award
ONGAKU NO TOMO SHA CORP. STEREO magazineBest Buy Components 2021 Phono equalizer to ¥100,000 1st Prize

Product Outline and Concept

In 2008, we released Phono Amplifier EA-5 applying the semiconductor technologies for analog disk lovers, saying "Analog audio products are not fully mastered yet" as our catchword; and a lot of audio fans supported it and gave the high evaluation. After we have released EA-5, we have looked for other options and have continued constant pursuance.

In this equipment, the AC adopter of EA-5 is removed and the power supply portion having a powerful power transformer is adopted. We release EA-200; the well-received sound quality is improved furthermore by improving the circuits, and the appearance is changed to new sophisticated design.

Main feature

Only one in the class, a non-feedback type amplifying circuit due to all discrete parts

The load feedback amplifier which holds the popularity of present amplifiers always compares the input and output signals and this difference (supplement signal) is amplified as an input signal which makes it possible for a high quality of amplification at a low cost.

In regards to this, non-feedback amps amplify the input signal itself, which makes a big difference.

However for a non-feedback amplifier, it does not have a supplemental operation as like the load feedback amplifier and therefore there is a rise in costs due to structural parts and requests of high accuracy on the operation settings. However, in terms of sound quality, it is excellent in music impression, dynamics, and shading expressions and it is an amplifying type having strong support of music and audio funs and all Phasemation amplifiers adopt this non-feedback amplifying circuit.

For this equipment, the circuit structure composing of discrete parts is adopted, which might be only one in this class; by doing this, the well-selected discrete active elements for the non-feedback amplifier can ideally operate.

As a result, "rich gradational expression of sound, impression and high S/N, and excelled air expression coping" is reached at a high level, equivalent to an upper class device which was difficult on phono amplifiers of this class.

Amplifier Details

a) High Gm FETs (field-effect transistor) are adopted in the first portion, so, a voltage-current converter of extremely low noises has been structured.
Due to a constant current circuit of low noise in which this circuit thoroughly discards deteriorating causes of sound quality and inflow of noises, the operation point is stably fixed.
By changing this voltage-current conversion coefficient, it makes the gain which is requested to the MM or MC cartridge.

b) In the second portion, stable current amplifier and voltage converter are structured, and the RIAA impedance elements arranged at the output point make the reproducing characteristic. As a result, CR type equalizer circuit having a very high frequency limit without RIAA deviation has been structured, so, it has an excellent transient characteristic.
For this circuit, various circuit techniques are adopted to perform accurately without influences of any current conversion tolerances and any variations of amplifier element parameters depending on the output voltage. Although it is a non-feedback type amplifier, it has various excelled characteristics that make it to be equal as a feedback type amplifier.

c) For the output buffer, the inverted Darlington circuit is adopted to ensure a high input impedance and low output impedance, which strongly drives the device in the next circuit.

Accomplishment of Solid Chassis

For phono amplifiers to have to amplify a weak signal, a solid chassis structure not to be influenced from others is required.

a) Solid chassis structure

1) For the chassis base and top cover making of a 1.6 mm steel plate, copper plating and finishing are conducted. Together with a chassis size of a comparably small shape, it achieved reduction of magnetic distortion and secured the high strength of rigidity.
2) Throws out redundant accessory functions and inputs weak phono signals directly to the amplifier.

b) Dual monaural pattern

1) Builds the dual monaural layout of the same pattern of the left and right, and actualizes a uniformity of the left and right channels at a high level. Adopts the better power transformer than necessary and sufficient one, and supplies power without any common power impedances due to left/right individual powers and accomplishes a channel separation of 90dB or more (20Hz to 20kHz).

Introduction of High Quality Parts

The following evaluated high sound quality parts and so on are adopted for the RIAA impedance elements and the audio signal main portion which strongly influence to a sound quality of a phono amplifier.

1) Metal film resistors with some margin of the rated value
2) High quality film capacitor

The following parts are adopted for the power circuit in order to prevent the decrease in speed of recovery in high current range, which has made it structure a very low noise power supply.

1) Fast recovery diodes with the substantially increased rated values
2) Low noise Zener diodes

Product Specification

Form MM/MC Non-Feedback Type Equalizer Amp
  MM MC
Input Sensitivity 2.5mV 0.12mV
Input Impedance 47 k-ohm 470 ohm
Gain 38dB 63dB
Input Equivalent S/N ratio –124dbV –140dBV
Maximum Allowed Input 90mV 4mV
Rated Output Voltage 200mV (1kHz)
Rear Curve Deviation ±0.3dB (20Hz to 20kHz)
Output Impedance 250 ohm
Channel Separation 90dB or more (20Hz to 20kHz for MM or MC)
Power Consumption 2W (115 or 220 VAC, 50/60 Hz)
Input/Output Terminals Machined gold-plated terminal
External Measurements (mm) 220 (width) x 57 (height) x 228 (depth) with terminals
Weight 2.6kg