devouringone3
Headphoneus Supremus
Update: November 4th 2014, “EPA-007x” added to their website. Available in late November.
New dual-XLR+TRS headphone jacks. 0.5W increase in power consumption. A few other small improvements, see “Internals Comparison” further in post.
Phasemation makes almost everything, cartridges, CD transport, hybrid passive volume attenuators, receivers, phono/power/headphone amplifiers,two a DACs, a D2D converter, and a rubidium external clock (discontinued, alas). Their flagship monoblock tube amplifier is costs USD ~25,000 per channel.
About them (http://www.phasemation.com/):
“Phasemation is the original audio brand of Kyodo Denshi Engineering Co., Ltd.
KDE has been providing, since its startup, various types of reliable measurement equipment in the IT industry, adopting three core technologies in circuit, fine mechanism and algorithm.
We hope to make use of this high technology in a field of art and culture, and aim to develop and produce the audio equipment steps into the technological practice and reproduction of music that the existing ones have not achieved. We have started up Phasemation as an audio brand.
As far back as the era, place and moment when the past musical art of Artist (Musician) was produced, they let us feel vivid and realistic. Thus, we aim the products can represent "The reproduction art" ”
The EPA-007 headphone amplifier (MSRP: 132 300 Japanese yen; though it can be had in Japan and on websites for around ¥95,220) (EPA-007x MSRP: 140 000 JPY)
(007)
EPA-007x update (other than the model's name, nothing has changed here):
Specifications (http://www.phasemation.com/product/epa-007x.html):
"
"
“
We, Phasemation, released the Pure Audio Grade Headphone Amplifier, EPA-007x. Phasemation has been releasing the audio equipment for reproducing live music consistently. Also for EPA-007x, we aspire to have pure audio grade sound quality by adopting the high-quality sound technology specialized to music playback utilized to other Phasemation products.
This amplifier is compatible for balanced headphones due to the dual monaural construction. Unprecedented natural lateralization is provided by the recently-developed dump controller.
[size=16.7999992370605px]Product Concept[/size]
[size=10.3999996185303px]Music outputted from the grade of high-end speakers should be also outputted from headphones; so we designed EPA-007x. Because headphones are overwhelmingly more sensitive than loud speakers (1000 times in power ratio), sufficient sound volume can be outputted at approximately 1mW.[/size]
Because the headphones are sensitive, the quality of the device is sensitively reflected in the sound. Also for EPA-007x, freshness of music is ensured due to discrete circuit construction and minimum device construction to be utilized to other Phasemation products. The range of headphone impedances has a width of different order of magnitude, so it is hard to gain a damping force matching every headphone.
Completely separating L and R lines can be driven.
”
Available accessories include Acoustic-Revive dual (balanced) TRS male to 3-pin XLR female adapter and a HD800 balanced cable terminated with dual TRS male, on the amplifier's product page. (Or buy the updated EPA-007x which features balanced XLR, dual-3pin outputs)
Internals comparison (credits to Yaluen; thank you!)
007x
007
“According to Phase Tech [blog], the EPA-007x features an improved power supply section over the EPA-007. If you look at the specs listed for them, you'll notice that the EPA-007 has a power consumption rating of 1.5W whereas the EPA-007x is rated at 2W.”
“As you can see, the only differences are the rectifier diodes and the RC network associated with the power supply, no significant redesign. Did a little digging and it looks like the diodes in the EPA-007 are Hitachi V19 while in the EPA-007x are ROHM SCS206AG. Both are well-suited to the application. Spec-wise an incremental upgrade but audibility is most likely next to negligible. A bit of A/Bing and I certainly can't hear a noticeable difference. Both are fantastic amps.”
Here's a video review of the EPA-007 in Japanese language
Tracking: EPA-007 was first announced in February 2011
New dual-XLR+TRS headphone jacks. 0.5W increase in power consumption. A few other small improvements, see “Internals Comparison” further in post.
Phasemation makes almost everything, cartridges, CD transport, hybrid passive volume attenuators, receivers, phono/power/headphone amplifiers,
About them (http://www.phasemation.com/):
“Phasemation is the original audio brand of Kyodo Denshi Engineering Co., Ltd.
KDE has been providing, since its startup, various types of reliable measurement equipment in the IT industry, adopting three core technologies in circuit, fine mechanism and algorithm.
We hope to make use of this high technology in a field of art and culture, and aim to develop and produce the audio equipment steps into the technological practice and reproduction of music that the existing ones have not achieved. We have started up Phasemation as an audio brand.
As far back as the era, place and moment when the past musical art of Artist (Musician) was produced, they let us feel vivid and realistic. Thus, we aim the products can represent "The reproduction art" ”
The EPA-007 headphone amplifier (MSRP: 132 300 Japanese yen; though it can be had in Japan and on websites for around ¥95,220) (EPA-007x MSRP: 140 000 JPY)
(007)
EPA-007x update (other than the model's name, nothing has changed here):
Specifications (http://www.phasemation.com/product/epa-007x.html):
"
Format | Dual mono drive headphone amplifier |
Entry | 1 line analog (RCA / XLR) |
Output | XLR / 6.3mm stereo standard jack (×2) |
Input impedance | 10kΩ |
Frequency characteristic | 20 ~ 100kHz -0.5dB |
Corresponding headphone impedance | 16 ~ 600Ω |
Residual noise | 50μV or less |
Crosstalk | 90dB or more |
Power consumption | 2W (115 or 220VAC, 50/60 Hz) |
Maximum Dimensions (mm) | 220 (width) × 57 (height) × 234 (depth) |
Mass | 2kg |
Accessories | AC power cable |
“
High Quality Headphone Amplifier Expressing Freshness of Music
[size=16.7999992370605px]Received Prize[/size]
- Ongen PublisingAudio Excellence Award 2015 Headphone Amplifier Product Award
We, Phasemation, released the Pure Audio Grade Headphone Amplifier, EPA-007x. Phasemation has been releasing the audio equipment for reproducing live music consistently. Also for EPA-007x, we aspire to have pure audio grade sound quality by adopting the high-quality sound technology specialized to music playback utilized to other Phasemation products.
This amplifier is compatible for balanced headphones due to the dual monaural construction. Unprecedented natural lateralization is provided by the recently-developed dump controller.
[size=16.7999992370605px]Product Concept[/size]
[size=10.3999996185303px]Music outputted from the grade of high-end speakers should be also outputted from headphones; so we designed EPA-007x. Because headphones are overwhelmingly more sensitive than loud speakers (1000 times in power ratio), sufficient sound volume can be outputted at approximately 1mW.[/size]
Because the headphones are sensitive, the quality of the device is sensitively reflected in the sound. Also for EPA-007x, freshness of music is ensured due to discrete circuit construction and minimum device construction to be utilized to other Phasemation products. The range of headphone impedances has a width of different order of magnitude, so it is hard to gain a damping force matching every headphone.
The damp controller adopted in this unit can vary depending on the damping force of the headphones; therefore softer sound and more natural lateralization suiting your taste can be gained.
[size=16.7999992370605px]Main features[/size]
1. Dual Mono Amplifiers consisting of Discrete Components in All Stages
High-sensitive headphones reflect sensitively in the freshness reduced by passing through devices. In EPA-007x, an operating amplifier is not used in order to prevent reducing freshness; so carefully-screened devices are adopted in all stages. The dual amplifiers have independent power supplies; therefore balanced cable type headphonesCompletely separating L and R lines can be driven.
2. Adopting Damp Controller for Providing the Damping Force to Headphones
The damping force matching the headphones having on impedance variation of 16 to 500 ohms can be set by the damp controller adopted in EPA007x. In addition to contact degree of the head pad, by driving the headphones with an appropriate damping force, a pesante bass tone can be created; and the audio image existing at the head point is moderately alleviated; therefore your stress can be alleviated when listening for a long time.3. Adopting the Protection circuit for Protecting Headphones
The cut-off protector which prevents propagating pop noises generated when the power switch is set ON/OFF and protects the headphones in an abnormal action is adopted.4. Resonance-free, vibration-free and interference-free chassis made of aluminum in all
The unit consists of the front panel made of aluminum steel shavings to be a nonmagnetic material, (the 2mm thick chassis and top cover.) By exhausting heat from the chassis faces, the enclosed structure without slits is achieved.”
Available accessories include Acoustic-Revive dual (balanced) TRS male to 3-pin XLR female adapter and a HD800 balanced cable terminated with dual TRS male, on the amplifier's product page. (Or buy the updated EPA-007x which features balanced XLR, dual-3pin outputs)
Internals comparison (credits to Yaluen; thank you!)
007x
007
“According to Phase Tech [blog], the EPA-007x features an improved power supply section over the EPA-007. If you look at the specs listed for them, you'll notice that the EPA-007 has a power consumption rating of 1.5W whereas the EPA-007x is rated at 2W.”
“As you can see, the only differences are the rectifier diodes and the RC network associated with the power supply, no significant redesign. Did a little digging and it looks like the diodes in the EPA-007 are Hitachi V19 while in the EPA-007x are ROHM SCS206AG. Both are well-suited to the application. Spec-wise an incremental upgrade but audibility is most likely next to negligible. A bit of A/Bing and I certainly can't hear a noticeable difference. Both are fantastic amps.”
Here's a video review of the EPA-007 in Japanese language
Tracking: EPA-007 was first announced in February 2011