Phasemation Phono EA-220
Main Features
I. A 10mm thick aluminum material is used on the front panel and the chassis is elegant and strong and it is structured following the designs of EA550 and EA350.
We adopted a strong housing structure that is composed with a 10mm thick slant aluminum panel for the front, a 1.2mm thick steel plate chassis base, and a 1.2mm thick steel plate cover and this preserves the rigidity.
A heavy weight metal insulator that blocks external vibrations is used for the feet.Ⅱ. V-I / I-V conversion type full-stage symmetrical non-feedback amplifier circuit due to all discreet parts
Both the semiconductor amplifier and the vacuum tube amplifier are negative feedback amplifiers which are the mainstream of modern amplifiers and they constantly compare the input and output signals and this difference can be amplified with high precision at low cost because it is amplified as an input signal. However, there is a time delay between the input and output signals which cannot be solved theoretically and this generates a TIM distortion and the like and this is a big reason why sound satisfaction cannot be attained from negative feedback amplifiers.
At Phasemation, amplifiers of semiconductors and vacuum tubes are all composed of non-feedback amplifiers. For non-feedback amplifiers, there are no amending operations like the negative feedback amplifiers and therefore high precision/technology of structured parts and circuits are required. As a result, there are no information remains of the sound source (record) but is played fully 100% and in terms of sound quality, it can play the music with excellent inspiration, dynamics, and shadowed (or the like) expressions.Ⅲ. Prolific Features
- 2 input terminals are equipped and each MM/MC switching can be done.
- A non-feedback type low cut filter of CR2 step is loaded.
Plays warped phonograph records without any music deterioration and prevents the speakers (woofers) from shaking. - Three types of playing curve changeover switches are loaded.
For the equalizer characteristics, along with the RIAA characteristics for the previous stereo, Mono1 (used on the DECCA label and so forth) and Mono2 (used on the Colombia label and so forth) are equipped as characteristics particularly for a monaural.
This will allow higher fidelity playback than the DECCA and Columbia labels. - A "degaussed" circuit is loaded.
By choosing “degauss” with the input and playing the record for about 30 seconds, the MC cartridge with a metal core that was magnetized is degaussed and the sound quality becomes clear.
Ⅴ. Adoption of Parts Having High Sound Quality
1. On the signals
A) A 1% grade metal film resistance with marginal rated capacity and reputed high sound quality parts such as a Micar capacitors using silvered Micar plates for dielectrics are used on the RIAA elements which have high influence on the phono amp's sound quality (for only selecting STEREO on playback curve)
B) On the signals, ELNA’s SILMIC electrolytic capacitors for sound quality and metal film resistance of a 1% grade are used.
2. On the power circuits
A) The switching noises are few and adopts Rohm’s SiC diodes which have a reputation for high sound quality.
B) We adopted a large-room electrolytic capacitor that is of highest rank in audio grades of metal plated terminals which uses Nichicon’s low resistance electrode foil on the commutating capacitor.
In addition, the decoupling capacitor adopts ELNA’s SILMIC II.
C) Low noise zener diodes are used combined with the adoption of shunt regulators that exclude the feedback circuit and this structures a fast and extremely low noise power circuit.
D) The power transformer uses a transformer of low leakage flux using an R-core.
Product Outline and ConceptHaving in mind that “analogs too have a lot more to go,” we expanded the numerous product line-ups of phono amplifiers due to non-feedback circuits for lovers of analog discs.The EA-200, which has been highly acclaimed since its release in 2013, is now available as the EA-220, incorporating the essence of an advanced model and further refining the sound quality.FeaturesElegant and strong chassis structure with a new front panelThe front panel is a new 8mm-thick slant aluminum panel that follows the elegant design of the EA-1200/EA-550. The chassis base and top cover are made of 1.6mm-thick steel plate with copper plating and also painted on top. Together with the 8mm-thick front panel, it accomplishes a strong chassis structure and reduced magnetic distortion.The foot is equipped with a heavy metal insulator to isolate external vibrations.Non-negative feedback amplifier circuit using all discrete components.Many of the current vacuum tube amplifiers and semiconductor amplifiers are designed with using a negative feedback amplifier circuit that amplifies the difference (correction signal) between the input and the output stages, and this circuit can be made at low cost and yet has superior specifications. However, there is a time delay between the input and the output signals that cannot be eliminated in principle, and this causes TIM (transient intermodulation distortion), and is one of the major causes of unsatisfactory sound quality in negative feedback amplifiers. In Phasemation, all amplifiers (both semiconductors and vacuum tubes) are non-feedback amplifiers. A non-feedback amplifier does not have correction operation like a negative feedback amplifier, so constituent parts require high precision, also superior circuit design technology. As a result, it is possible to playback the sound source (record) information without losing all of it, and in terms of sound quality, it is possible to reproduce the dynamics and even subtle nuances of the music.Dual Monaural PatternBuilds 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.Adoption of Parts Having High Sound QualityOn the signalsThe RIAA elements, which have a high impact on the sound quality of phono amplifiers, use 1% grade metal film resistors with a generous rated capacitance and high-quality film capacitors.On the important parts of the signals, ELNA’s SILMIC II audio grade electrolytic capacitors and metal film resistance of a 1% grade are used.On the power circuitsFirst recovery diodes with high sound quality and low noise (during rectification) are used.Low noise Zener diodes are used which structures an extremely low noise power circuit to the Lch and Rch individually.The power transformer uses a transformer of low leakage flux using an R-core.
Technical Specifications
Product Specification
Form MM/MC non-feedback phono amplifier Input Form MM MC Input Sensitivity 2.5mV 0.12mV Input Impedance 47kΩ 470Ω Gain 38dB 63dB Input Conversion S/N Ratio -120dBV -140dBV Rated Output Voltage 200mV (1kHz) Rear Curve Tolerance ±0.5dB (20 - 20kHz) Power Requirement AC120V 60Hz (U.S.A.) AC230V 50/60Hz (Europe/Asia)
Power Consumption 2W Dimensions 220(W)×57(H)×228(D) Weight 2.6kg


