Phasemation

Product

Phono AmplifierEA-320

An all discreet, all step symmetric non-feedback phono amplifier
that draws out the music’s reality and the artist’s passion

Recieved Prizes

Ongen Publishinganalog Grand Prix
SEIBUNDO SHINKOSHA PublishingMJ Technology of the Year 2021 Analog Components Honorable Mention
ONGAKU NO TOMO SHA CORP. STEREO magazineBest Buy Components 2021 Phono equalizer between \100,000 to \500,000 1st Place
ONGAKU NO TOMO SHA COTP. STEREO magazineBest Buy Components 2022 Phono equalizer between ¥100,000 to ¥500,000 1st Place Year Compo

Product Outline and Concept

Having in mind that “analogs too have a lot more to go,” we expanded the numerous product line-ups and phono amplifiers due to non-feedback circuits for lovers of analog discs.
We are pleased to announce the release of the EA-320, a middle-class semiconductor phono amplifier that incorporates the essence of our advanced models, with refined circuitry to further refine the sound quality and functionality.

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 Specification

Form V-I/I-V conversion type all-stage symmetric

non-feedback equalizing amplifier

Input Form MM MC
Input Sensitivity 2.5mV 0.13mV
Input Impedance 47kΩ 470Ω
Gain 38dB 64dB
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 13W
Dimensions 286(W) × 93 (H) × 252(D)
Weight 3.9kg