Owner’s Manual

EA-550
PHONO AMPLIFIER

Thank you for purchasing Phasemation product.
Read your Owner’s Manual thoroughly for proper operation before starting touse your equipment.
Please keep your Owner’s Manual with caution.

Table of Contents
Safety Instructions...................................................................................................4
Usage Cautions.......................................................................................................5
Care of Equipment...................................................................................................5
Names and Functions..................................................................................6, 7, 8
Connections...........................................................................................................9
Trouble Shooting Guide..........................................................................................10User Support.......................................................................................................11Specifications.........................................................................................................113Safety Instructions
In this owner’s manual and on the product, various pictures are used
to show our customers how to use Phasemation EA-550 safely andproperly in order to avoid the loss of our customer’s assets and toprotect our customers from harm.

Before starting
to useSAFETY PRECAUTIONSCAUTIONRISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION:TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICEPERSONNEL.
The lightning ﬂash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert
the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosurethat may be of sufﬁcient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to thepresence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literatureaccompanying the appliance.

WARNING:TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THISAPPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

12.

Read these instructions.
Keep these instructions.
Heed all warnings.
Follow all instructions.
Do not use this apparatus near water.
Clean only with dry cloth.
Do not block any ventilation openings.
Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers)that produce heat.
Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and thepoint where they exit from the apparatus.
Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold withthe apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to
avoid injury from tip-over.
Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

13. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has
been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled
or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate
normally, or has been dropped.
14. Batteries shall not be exposed to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like.

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
We declare under our sole responsibility that this product, to which this declaration relates,
is in conformity with the following standards:

EN60065, EN55032, EN55020, EN61000-3-2 and EN61000-3-3.
Following the provisions of Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU and EMC Directive 2014/30/EU4

Usage Cautions
CAUTION:
To completely disconnect this product from the mains, disconnect the plug from the wall socket outlet.
The mains plug is used to completely interrupt the power supply to the unit and must be within easy access by the user.

A NOTE ABOUT RECYCLING:
This product’s packaging materials are recyclable and can be reused. Please dispose ofany materials in accordance with the local recycling regulations.

When discarding the unit, comply with local rules or regulations.
This product and the supplied accessories constitute the applicable productaccording to the WEEE directive.

Cautions on installation***Wall** For proper heat dispersal, do not install this unit in a confined space,such as a bookcase or similar enclosure.

• More than 0.1 m is recommended.
• Do not place any other equipment on this unit.

NOTE ON USE
WARNINGS
Avoid high temperatures.
Allow for sufﬁcient heat dispersion
when installed in a rack.
Handle the power cord carefully.
Hold the plug when unplugging
the cord.
Keep the unit free from moisture,
water, and dust.
Unplug the power cord when notusing the unit for long periodsof time.
Do not obstruct the ventilation
holes.
Do not let foreign objects into
the unit.

Do not let insecticides, benzene,
and thinner come in contact withthe unit.
Never disassemble or modify theunit in any way.
Ventilation should not be impededby covering the ventilation
openings with items, such as
newspapers, tablecloths orcurtains.
Naked ﬂame sources such as
lighted candles should not beplaced on the unit.
Observe and follow local
regulations regarding battery
disposal.

Do not expose the unit to drippingor splashing ﬂuids.
Do not place objects ﬁlled withliquids, such as vases, on the unit.
Do not handle the mains cordwith wet hands.
The equipment shall be installednear the power supply so that thepower supply is easily accessible.
Do not keep the battery in aplace exposed to direct sunlightor in places with extremely hightemperatures, such as near aheater.

Care of Equipment
If the equipment is covered with dust or dirt, clean it with a soft cloth.
If the equipment is very dirty, put detergent which is thinned very well with water on a softcloth. Wring the cloth and wipe off the dust and dirt. Then clean with a dry soft cloth.
Never use chemical agents such as thinner, naphtha or alcohol when cleaning it.
If any of them is attached to the equipment, the silk printing can be flaked or the surface canlose metal luster.

5Names and Functions
Front Panel

EA-550 PHONO AMPLIFIER

2OFFMONO 1

STEREO

MMMC13
DEGAUSSMONO 2ONPOWER

LOW CUTFILTERPLAYBACKCURVEFUNCTION

INPUT

1) POWER SwitchThis is the switch to turn the power on/off.

2) POWER Indicator

When the power is turned on, it lights up blue.
Right after the power is turned on, it keeps on blinking until the internal circuit is in astable condition and sounds will not come out during that time.

3) LOW CUT FILTER Changing Switch

If records with large warps are played, not only the music signals, but unnecessary
ultra-low region signals are inputted into the phono amp and the vibration board of thelow regional speakers will greatly shake back and forth and this may damage thespeakers or distort the sounds. In this case, by turning this switch on, it can attenuate
the ultra-low region signals and lessen the above phenomenon.

4) PLAYBACK CURVE Changing Switch

This is the switch that changes the playing equalizer characteristics.
The following three types of playing curves are installed. Switch according to the typeof record you want it to play.
-STEREO : RIAA curve for stereo LP playing-MONO1 : Curve 1 for monaural LP playing (used on a DECCA label andso forth : FFRR)-MONO2 : Curve 2 for monaural LP playing (used on a Columbia label
and so forth)6Electric Characteristics of a Playing Equalizer Curve
Curve

Turnover/Low limit

Roll off

STEREO

500Hz/50Hz(+20dB)

75 s-2120Hz(-13.75dB at 10kHz)MONO 1500Hz/125Hz(+12-12.5dB)

50 s-3000Hz(-10.5dB at 10kHz)MONO 2

500Hz/100Hz(+14dB)

100 s-1590Hz(-16dB at 10kHz)

Playing Equalizer Curve
25.00
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
dB

0.00
-5.00

10100

1000

10000

100000STEREOMONO 1MONO 2-10.00-15.00-20.00-25.00Frequency (Hz)5) FUNCTION Changing Switch

Change according to the type of cartridge used
- MM
Select this when using an MM cartridge.
- MC
Select this when using an MC cartridge.
- DEGAUSS
This can degauss the MC cartridge that contains magnetized iron core.
Select the input that is connected to the MC cartridge with the INPUT
switch and let the record play for about 30 seconds. No sounds will
come out during this time.

6) INPUT Changing Switch

This switch changes the input terminal
1) Input Terminal 1 (INPUT1) is selected
2) Input Terminal 2 (INPUT2) is selected
3) Input Terminal 3 (INPUT3) is selected

7

RCA (unbalanced) / XLR (balanced)
RCA (unbalanced) / XLR (balanced)
RCA (unbalanced)

Rear Panel (Right)

CAUTION !
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN

AC IN

Rear Panel (Left)

INPUT RP S
EMODEL EA-550

1PUSH

3250/60Hz 10W

1123INPUT L

PUSH

3250/60Hz 10W
KYODO DENSHI ENG. CO.,LTD.
MADE IN JAPANPUSH

1AC INP S
EMODEL EA-550

13KYODO DENSHI ENG. CO.,LTD.
MADE IN JAPANOUTPUTCAUTION !
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN

2GND
221GND
23OUTPUTPUSH

1213SER. NO.

SER. NO.

7) INPUT 1,2,3 (RCA) Terminals
Use when the phono cable to be connected is an RCA type connector

8) INPUT 1,2 (XLR) Terminals
Use when the phono cable to be connected is a balanced (XLR) typeconnector
Caution- For a balance connection of the XLR terminal, an applicable phono cable is necessary.
- For the XLR terminals, no.1 is GND, no.2 is HOT, and no.3 is COLD.

Caution- For INPUT1,2, do not connect the RCA terminal and XLR terminal at the same time.
- Do not insert a short pin to the RCA terminal when using the XLR terminal.
- The XLR terminal is only for an MC cartridge. If a balanced (XLR) output of an MC
stepup transformer is connected, it may malfunction.

9) GND Terminal
Connect the earth cable of the analogue disc player to the GND terminal(see p.9 for the wiring)10) OUTPUT 1,2 (RCA) Terminals
This is an equalizer output (RCA) terminal of an unbalance. This connects to the line
level’s RCA input terminal (150-250mV) of a pre-amplifier AUX terminal or so forth.
Caution
Do not connect to a phono input terminal of a pre-amplifier having a phono amplifier
inside. It will go to maximum input and sounds will distort.

11) AC IN
The power input terminal connects to the power outlet with the attached AC power cable.

8Connections
Pre-amplifier
AUX INPUT

LEFT

RIGHT

CAUTION !
AC IN

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN

INPUT RP S
EMODEL EA-550

1PUSH

3250/60Hz 10W

1123INPUT LPUSH

33250/60Hz 10W
KYODO DENSHI ENG. CO.,LTD.
MADE IN JAPANPUSH1AC IN

P S
EMODEL EA-550

1KYODO DENSHI ENG. CO.,LTD.
MADE IN JAPANOUTPUTCAUTION !
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN

2GND
21GND
23OUTPUTPUSH

23121SER. NO.

SER. NO.

R

L

Attached AC Power Cable

Attached AC Power Cable

Earth Cable
Analogue Disc Player

Attached GND Cable

Caution- For a balance connection of the XLR terminal, an applicable phono cable is necessary.
- For the XLR terminals, no.1 is GND, no.2 is HOT, and no.3 is COLD.

Caution- For INPUT1,2, do not connect the RCA terminal and XLR terminal at the same time.
- Do not insert a short pin to the RCA terminal when using the XLR terminal.
- The XLR terminal is only for an MC cartridge. If a balanced (XLR) output of an MC
stepup transformer is connected, it may malfunction.

9Trouble Shooting Guide
In case the equipment does not operate properly, check out the followings.
If it does not operate properly even after checking the advised points,
disconnect the AC plug from the outlet and then contact the dealer.

TroubleCausesMeasures

The power is notsupplied

The plug of the AC power cable
is not plugged in completely.

Insert the plug of the AC cable into
an outlet firmly.
Firmly insert the AC power cable
into the AC inlet of the power
equipment.

The sound is notheard(1) The audio wires are notplugged in completely.

Insert the audio wires completely.

(2) The connected INPUT
terminal and INPUT changing
switch do not match.

Correctly match the INPUT
terminal and INPUT changing
switch.

(3) The type of cartridge usedand the FUNCTION changing
switch do not match.

Match the FUNCTION changing
switch (MM/MC) to the cartridge(MM/MC) to be used.

(4) The FUNCTION changing
switch is set to DEGAUSS.
(5) Although a balanced input isused, a short pin is inserted tothe unbalanced input (RCA).

Remove the short pin from theunbalanced input terminal.

(6) A balanced (XLR) output of an
MC stepup transformer isconnected to the balanced(XLR) input.

Does not support balanced (XLR)
outputs of MC stepup transformers.
Connect as unbalanced (RCA).

The sound is
distorted

The outputs of this equipment areconnected to the input terminals
for a phono amplifier on the panelof the pre-amplifier.

Connect them to line level input
terminals (such as AUX) of the
pre-amplifier.

When operating
the function
switch, the click
noise is heard

Some click tone is generated
because of the switch principle.

Before operating the switches, turnthe power of this equipment off ordecrease the volume of theconnected amplifier.

A hum noise isheard

The audio wires are not plugged
in completely.
The earth cable from theanalogue disc player is notconnected.
A power supply transformer or
motor in another equipment isplaced near this equipment.

Insert the audio wires completely.

The sound is not outputted until
the circuits come to stable
operation.

Please wait till the power indicator
will change from flashing tolighting up.

The sound is notheard immediately
after turning thepower on

10Connect the earth cable
completely.
Place this equipment apart from apower supply transformer or a
motor of another equipment.

User Support
As for the unclear matters with regards to the after service, please contact the dealer.

Specifications
ProductCartridge Type
Input Sensitivity
Applicable Cartridge Impedance

V-I/I-V Converting Type Complete Full
Symmetrical and Non-Feedback Type Phono Amplifier
MMMC
2.5mV
47k

0.13mVor less1.5-40

Gain

38dB

64dB

Input Referred S/N Ratio-120dB-140dB

Rated Output Voltage

200mV (1kHz)

Deviation from RIAA Curve±0.5dB (20Hz 20kHz)

Output Impedance

47

Power Requirement

AC120V 60Hz (U.S.A)
AC230V 50/60Hz (Europe)Power Consumption

10W for each ch

Dimensions (mm)211 (W) × 93 (H) × 360 (D)Weight5.5kg for each ch

Accessories : AC power cable x 2, GND cable x 1The appearance and specifications of this equipment are subject to change without notice in orderto improve it.

11Kyodo Denshi Engineering Co., Ltd.
8-40-17 Shinyoshidahigashi Kohoku-ku Yokohama-shi Kanagawa 223-0058 JapanTEL 81-45-710-0975
FAX 81-45-710-0976
E-mail info@phasemation.com
URL http://phasemation.com
is the original audio brand of Kyodo Denshi Engineering Co., Ltd.