Echo Diastasis is an audio equipment manufacturer located in Greece. The company currently offers a limited range of products, featuring four amplifiers. The latest addition to their lineup is the PH-79 phono amplifier.
According to the company, Echo Diastasis would not introduce a new phono amplifier unless it could provide a significant improvement. The PH-79 Reference builds upon the legacy of its predecessor, enhancing music reproduction capabilities. It is designed to effortlessly retrieve even the faintest details embedded in vinyl records, resulting in a vast and three-dimensional soundstage. The outcome is both musically engaging and precise.
Phono amplifiers are considered one of the most challenging audio devices to design, as noted by the Greek manufacturer. A variety of criteria must be satisfied simultaneously, including high gain, minimal noise, precise adherence to the RIAA curve, low distortion, and a substantial overload margin. Additionally, the music must be delivered in a seamless and natural manner, preserving all the unique musical qualities inherent in a high-quality recording. This includes aspects such as analytical clarity, transparency, accurate reproduction of soundstage and natural spaces, harmonic richness, dynamic range, clear articulation of low frequencies, and the ability to highlight the distinctive features of intricate orchestrations.
The new PH-79 employs a unique topology developed through extensive research. In traditional passive phono amplifier designs, extra gain is required to offset the losses incurred by the passive components that follow, leading to increased noise and distortion. However, in the Echo Diastasis PH-79 Reference, the RIAA curve is realized through two active stages that do not rely on global feedback. In this active configuration, the gain at any given frequency is precisely what is necessary, without excess.
The choice of a split RIAA configuration enhances control and precision. This design features two amplification stages followed by a buffer stage capable of handling even the most challenging loads. The power supply incorporates specially engineered E-core transformers to ensure optimal rejection of RF noise from the contaminated wall power supply. The circuit utilizes carefully selected semiconductors, integrated circuits, and high-quality passive components. High fidelity in the RIAA curve implementation is attained through meticulous measurements and component value matching, resulting in the rejection of approximately four out of five components during this rigorous process.
Echo Diastasis PH-79: Specifications
- Zero negative feedback
- Audiophile dual-mono circuit design
- E-core transformer
- Gold plated connectors insulated with Teflon
- Inputs: 2 x stereo cinch
- Outputs: 1 x stereo cinch
- Output impedance: less than 20 Ohms
- Input impedance 47 Ohm, 100 Ohm, 220 Ohm, 470 Ohm, 1 kOhm and 47 kOhm
- Gain (selectable): MM 43 dB, MC (high) 61 dB, MC (low) 67 dB
- Total harmonic distortion MM: 0.009 %
- Total harmonic distortion MC: 0.011 %
- Noise floor MM (A-weighted with 5 mV input): -90 dB
- Noise floor MC (A-weighted with 0.5mV input): -79 dB
- Accuracy of RIAA equalization curve (20Hz-100kHz): deviation less than 0.05dB
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 440 x 340 x 147 millimeters
