My personal phono stage reference: Phasemation EA-2000

[XV-1]

Phasemation do sell their step ups as seperate units too, The EA-1200 step up is the same, as the seperate T-1000, which retails for around 3500,- in Europe. Compared to other seperate step ups in this league, like Lyra or the consolidated Audio, the T-1000 is more flexible in the use of carts and sounds more full bodied than the others.But assembled with EA-1200 the tonality becomes more neutral. EA-2000 balance is a little bit more warm, but overall a different and higher level.

EA-1200 is (at least for me) still the best buy in their portfolio, specially as you can improve it step by step over the time.
Phasemation will introduce the second PSU unit soon (similar to EA-1000 before) , which will bring the EA-1200 more close to EA-2000.

As I own the T-2000 step up for a longer time, I can promise, that this is an improvement as well .

The big bonus on EA-1200 versus EA-2000 is, that you can connect 3 carts to the integrated T-1000 step up.

For the EA-2000 you need 3 seperate step ups.
In my case 2x T-2000 plus Lyra plus Consolidated Audio as options (more to come)

thanks for that. I am trying to talk the importer into bringing a EA-1200 into the country so I can listen to it. It would be interesting to hear if it synergised to Lyra, Dynavector and SPU carts. unfortunately Phasemation is not well known anywhere, so any re-sale is lower than known brands.

I currently have the 3 input Accuphase C-47 phono which is full up but would be a good comparison.

cheers

 

[bonzo75]

Does anyone have SPU with SUTs? What is the uptick in performance? I am interested to know if the body and tone and flow is retained with more nuance

 

[shakti]

thanks for that. I am trying to talk the importer into bringing a EA-1200 into the country so I can listen to it. It would be interesting to hear if it synergised to Lyra, Dynavector and SPU carts. unfortunately Phasemation is not well known anywhere, so any re-sale is lower than known brands.

I currently have the 3 input Accuphase C-47 phono which is full up but would be a good comparison.

cheers

Residual value is improving,
at least in Europe.

They have here strong distributors,
like Anamighty Sound and Axiss which helps in this regard.
Fairs like Munich were very helpful as well, first time with a dedicated Phasemation room plus the benefit, that even companies like OMA were using their PP-2000 cart during the Munich Demo.

Sure, they will not become the next Accuphase brand in this regard, but I see them already comparable to many other brands, the step ups even have (in Europe) a higher residual value than some popular brands (like Ortofon and Lyra)

 

[shakti]

Does anyone have SPU with SUTs? What is the uptick in performance? I am interested to know if the body and tone and flow is retained with more nuance

Is there any chance to get a SPU sound „right“ without a step up?

An easy start is the use of a
Fidelity Research XF-1L
step up.
You will get the flavor and than you like more

Any Phasemation step up will work, but you will get an even better result, connecting the Phasemation step up to 23kohm (instead of 47kohm) MM input.
some phono stages will make this possible.

 

[Shuggie]

Does anyone have SPU with SUTs? What is the uptick in performance? I am interested to know if the body and tone and flow is retained with more nuance

Assuming that we are talking about SPUs with typical 2 ohms (ish) coil impedance, a Sculpture A SUT with 1:26 gain really brings these cartridges to life - much more energy, more vibrant tonal colour and a much more immersive and enjoyable musical experience, compared to most other SUT options. The Sculpture A Silver SUT is really rather extraordinary for less than €2k, but the regular Sculpture A Mini Nano SUT is really wonderful for very reasonable money. Sculpture A's SUT designer Szolt Bodnar really understands all aspects of SUT design, which is clearly not just a simple matter of gain ratio and reflected impedance.

It is very easy to make an SPU sound quite 'ordinary' but paired with a decent, massy arm that can tolerate high physical energy levels, and a well-matched SUT like the Sculpture A, even the cheapy SPU#1S can sound magnificent. Definitely flawed and easy to criticise in 'audiophile' terms but hugely enjoyable and musical. I alternate between an SPU Wood A (via Sculpture A 1:26 SUT) and Phasemation PP-500 (via Phasemation T-1000 SUT), and while they have very different presentations, it is very hard to choose which I prefer most.

 

[bonzo75]

Yes I like the sculptureA and was able to compare them to consolidated at Anamighty.

Good to know. I am conscious that SUTs make us revisit our cartridge preferences

 

[XV-1]

@shakti have you been able to use the Phasemation with Lyra yet?

I am borrowing a Fidelity Research FRT-4 at the moment from a friend - certainly a different view vs active stage and v good. Do you know how this compares to the Fidelity Research XF-1L

 

[shakti]

I tried Lyra Etna lambda with EA-2000, works fine. Definitely better than with the Lyra step up (the red one)

FR xf1-l is superior to FRT4, but only for low impedance carts, xf-1m should fit to Lyra.
I prefer XF-2, better copper wire.

With the most carts Phasemation T-550 is better than XF1 series.

 

[XV-1]

I tried Lyra Etna lambda with EA-2000, works fine. Definitely better than with the Lyra step up (the red one)

FR xf1-l is superior to FRT4, but only for low impedance carts, xf-1m should fit to Lyra.
I prefer XF-2, better copper wire.

With the most carts Phasemation T-550 is better than XF1 series.

Interesting Shaki. I am enjoying the slightly euphonic sonics of the FRT-4.

I may look at the T-550 to have a listen to if you believe it's better than any of the FR suts.

What do you think of the EA-1200? Are the SUT's used in this better than the T-550?

I run Lyra Atlas Lambda SL, Etna SL, Delos, SPU Classic E, SPU Royal and A90.

Cheers

 

[shakti]

The EA-1200 has the T-1000 step ups integrated, so much better than T-550.
I am using the standard Etna Lamda, not SL.

SL has only half DC resistance so would indeed meet XF-1L spec.

Should work good on Phasemation, as my MSL carts do work as well (similar coil resistance), but it is always better to try out.

For critical carts, as Soundsmith Hyperion, I am using Consolidated Audio step ups to meet exactly the demand of the cart.

The consolidated audio copper step ups are on the level of T-1000, price in Germany is similar.

 

[bonzo75]

The EA-1200 has the T-1000 step ups integrated, so much better than T-550.
I am using the standard Etna Lamda, not SL.

SL has only half DC resistance so would indeed meet XF-1L spec.

Should work good on Phasemation, as my MSL carts do work as well (similar coil resistance), but it is always better to try out.

For critical carts, as Soundsmith Hyperion, I am using Consolidated Audio step ups to meet exactly the demand of the cart.

The consolidated audio copper step ups are on the level of T-1000, price in Germany is similar.

what’s your definition of critical carts?

 

[shakti]

what’s your definition of critical carts?

step ups are designed for MC carts, if connected with MI carts (Grado, Soundsmith and others) the specified impedance range of the step up (like 1,5ohm to 40 ohm , optimum around 4 ohm for Phasemation) might not fit and mostly the exact matching impedance value need to be seen.



My Soundsmith Hyperion sounds best with a step up value of 470ohm, which is a 1:10 step up with no parallel resistor.

 

[XV-1]

Hey @shakti

Does the EA-1200 and 2000 know how to rock out?
I can imagine it does classical, jazz and blues very well.

But can it rock out and play up tempo music? I also play a lot of alternate rock and electronic.

Distributor won't bring in a EA-1200 to demo, but is sending me a T-550 SUT so I can get a flavour.

Cheers

 

[XV-1]

Been playing the T-550 for a few hours now.
@shakti you are correct. It sounds better than both the FRT-4 and Denon AU-340. Especially with my Lyra Etna SL - so much better than the other two SUT'S.

I am confident Phasemation SUT'S can drive the 1.5ohm SL models from Lyra extremely well.

This thing does tone unbelievable well but is clear, plenty of detail and a sense of ease. Very impressed.

Now wondering how much better the EA-1200 is?

 

[shakti]

Been playing the T-550 for a few hours now.
@shakti you are correct. It sounds better than both the FRT-4 and Denon AU-340. Especially with my Lyra Etna SL - so much better than the other two SUT'S.

I am confident Phasemation SUT'S can drive the 1.5ohm SL models from Lyra extremely well.

This thing does tone unbelievable well but is clear, plenty of detail and a sense of ease. Very impressed.

Now wondering how much better the EA-1200 is?

The T-550 is just a steps up, next level up is the T-1000 step up, which is 3times the price, but definitely better.

the EA-1200 is a full phonostage, having the T-1000 step up installed.

 

[XV-1]

The T-550 is just a steps up, next level up is the T-1000 step up, which is 3times the price, but definitely better.

the EA-1200 is a full phonostage, having the T-1000 step up installed.

Yes I understand that, but the EA-1200 is what I am thinking of getting if I don't buy the T-550. I want all 3 turntables to have this level of goodness me thinks.

 

[Rawlit]

Today I auditioned my Gold Note PH10 with PSU10 against the new Vida MKII and EA-1200 with my Miyajima Destiny

I thought my phono was sounding great, now I just want to cry )

EA-1200 had no competition, most impressive were timber accuracy, tonality gradation, fluidity and ease of reproduction of the music, notes edges were round and decay organic; Vida did well in its price point, but the Phasemation was in another league

This review reflects my thoughts well

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www.phileweb.com

I'm saving up...

 

[Rawlit]

Has anyone here has experience with custom made multipin umbilical cords for Phasemation from their PSU into the L/R channels?

Cheers

 

[jpetek]

You know the rcm big phono and the EA 2000. Where are the differences in sound?

 

[Rawlit]

Has anyone here has experience with custom made multipin umbilical cords for Phasemation from their PSU into the L/R channels?

Cheers

For those who are interested, I got my umbilical cords custom made by Brad at Revelation Audio, the sound immediately improved, mostly quieter, better and deeper base, still breaking in, at a fraction of the phono cost I'm very happy with this tweak