Phasemation EA-1200 Phono Amplifier

Description

Phasemation EA-1200 Tube LCR Phono Amplifier

The Phasemation EA-1200 is a reference-level three-chassis tube phono amplifier developed as the successor to the acclaimed EA-1000 and influenced by the design philosophy of the flagship EA-2000.

Its architecture combines completely independent left and right phono amplifier sections with a separate power supply, creating a true dual-monaural analogue platform designed for exceptionally low noise, wide dynamic range and precise spatial reproduction.

At its core are transformer-coupled MC inputs, vacuum-tube amplification, non-feedback circuitry and a sophisticated LCR equalization network designed to preserve the smallest musical details contained in the record groove.

Three-Chassis Reference Architecture

The Phasemation EA-1200 consists of three separate units: one dedicated amplifier chassis for the left channel, one for the right channel and an independent power-supply unit.

This configuration provides extensive electrical and mechanical separation between channels and between the sensitive phono circuitry and the power supply.

By reducing shared electrical paths and minimizing unwanted magnetic and mechanical interaction, Phasemation aims to achieve high signal-to-noise performance, strong channel separation and a large, stable soundstage.

Tube-Based Non-Feedback LCR Equalizer

The EA-1200 uses a vacuum-tube LCR equalization circuit operating without global negative feedback.

The amplification stages use ECC-803S tubes in an SRPP-type circuit, selected for their transient response and musical characteristics.

ECC-802S tubes are employed in low-impedance cathode-follower output stages, helping the EA-1200 achieve a wide dynamic range and stable output performance.

The combination of tube amplification and non-feedback architecture is designed to preserve speed, tonal richness and musical expression without relying on corrective feedback loops.

LCR Equalization for Maximum Signal Integrity

The equalization section uses an LCR network rather than a conventional active equalization circuit.

Large coils and carefully selected film capacitors are used to reduce impedance within the signal path, minimizing power loss and inductive noise.

This approach allows the delicate signal from the cartridge to pass through the equalization stage with minimal degradation, helping preserve fine spatial information, dynamic contrasts and natural tonal structure.

Built-In MC Step-Up Transformers

The EA-1200 incorporates dedicated MC step-up transformers derived from Phasemation’s extensive transformer engineering experience.

The built-in transformers are specially tuned for the EA-1200 and allow low-output moving-coil cartridges to be connected directly to the phono amplifier without requiring a separate external step-up transformer.

All three inputs can be switched independently between MM and MC operation, providing excellent flexibility for analogue systems using multiple tonearms or cartridges.

Balanced and unbalanced operation is also supported, with dedicated BAL / UNBAL switching to help optimize noise performance when different connection methods are used.

Reference Power Supply with 5U4G Rectification

The separate power-supply chassis uses a high-capacity R-core transformer together with 5U4G directly heated rectifier tubes.

The rectifier tubes avoid the switching noise associated with semiconductor rectification, while two choke coils are used to create substantial independent left and right power-supply filtering.

The power transformer and choke coils are magnetically shielded, helping reduce interference with the sensitive phono amplifier stages.

A regulated DC heater supply is also used for the amplifier tubes to further improve signal-to-noise performance.

Three Equalization Curves

The EA-1200 provides three selectable playback equalization curves.

Standard RIAA equalization is provided for modern stereo records, while Mono 1 and Mono 2 settings are available for older monaural recordings.

These additional curves are intended for records originally mastered using alternative standards, including Decca and Columbia recordings.

For collectors of historic mono records, this allows more authentic playback than applying modern RIAA equalization to every recording.

Premium Mechanical Construction

The EA-1200 uses a substantial 10mm-thick slanted aluminium front panel inspired by Phasemation’s reference EA-2000.

A 1.6mm copper-plated steel chassis base is combined with a 2mm aluminium cover incorporating magnetic shielding.

Heavy metal insulators help isolate the electronics from external vibration, while premium Furutech RCA terminals and Neutrik XLR connectors are used throughout the signal interface.

Phasemation EA-1200 Specifications

Recommended Reference Cartridge: Phasemation PP-2200

For a reference-level Phasemation analogue system, the PP-2200 Reference MC Cartridge is a natural partner for the Phasemation EA-1200.

The EA-1200 accepts moving-coil cartridges with output impedances from 1.5Ω to 40Ω and provides 66dB of MC gain through its built-in step-up transformer stage, making it particularly well suited to high-performance low-output MC cartridges.

The PP-2200 combines Phasemation’s latest reference magnetic circuit, titanium housing and refined mechanical architecture with the EA-1200’s tube-based LCR equalization and non-feedback amplification.

Together, the EA-1200 and PP-2200 create a complete reference analogue front end built around Phasemation’s cartridge, transformer, tube and LCR engineering.

Explore the

Phasemation PP-2200 Reference MC Cartridge

for more information.

Phasemation EA-1200 Awards

The Phasemation EA-1200 has received major recognition from leading Japanese specialist audio publications.

Owner’s Manual and Official Information

For installation, cartridge configuration and operating instructions, download the

Phasemation EA-1200 Owner’s Manual
.

For official specifications and complete manufacturer information, visit the

official Phasemation EA-1200 product page
.

Recommended Power Supply Upgrade: Phasemation PS-1200

For owners seeking to take the Phasemation EA-1200 even further, the

Phasemation PS-1200 Power Supply

is the dedicated upgrade designed specifically for the EA-1200.

The standard EA-1200 already uses a separate power-supply chassis for its left and right phono amplifier sections. Adding the PS-1200 allows the system to move toward a more fully independent left/right power-supply configuration.

The PS-1200 uses a high-capacity R-core transformer, a directly heated 5U4G rectifier tube, two choke coils and substantial filtering to provide cleaner and more stable power to the EA-1200 amplifier sections.

Its design also allows the two choke coils and electrolytic capacitors to operate in parallel, lowering output impedance and increasing the effective power-supply capacity.

For a reference Phasemation analogue system, combining the

EA-1200

with the

PS-1200

creates an even more ambitious power architecture, aimed at improving stability, low-noise performance and overall musical authority.