The Diablo is a high performance, audiophile grade phono amplifier, designed for ultimate transparency and realism. It will maximise the performance of a wide range of phono cartridges from ultra-low output Moving Coils to high output Moving Magnet types.
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'A superbly musical performer, this is one of the very
best phonostages at or near the price - as ever - an
audition in your own system is essential.'
David Price - Hi-Fi World March 2006
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DIABLO TECHNICAL DESCRIPION
The Diablo is user adjustable with a set of four DIP switches on the underside of the unit. These switches allow for adjustment of cartridge loading and gain setting.
The circuitry is signal non-inverting and constructed using high performance, audio grade bipolar and JFET operational amplifiers from Analog Devices and Linear Technology. Metal oxide resistors and ultra low impedance capacitors throughout for lowest possible noise.
The RIAA equalisation network is part passive and part active. The capacitors and resistors used in this stage are very close tolerance audiophile types.
Four 'state of the art' ultra low impedance, low noise wide-band voltage regulator circuits are employed to power both channels and are largely responsible for the high sonic performance of the Diablo.
The non-ferrous cabinetry is made of aluminium, a design that reduces Eddy current propagation that can affect sound reproduction dramatically.
Two versions of power supply are available for the Diablo, the basic toroidal transformer power supply and the fully blown 'Never Connected' version.
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40VA in-line Toroidal Transformer for the Diablo Phono Stage.
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Basic power supply for Diablo phono stage
The Toroidal Power Supply provided with the Diablo is provided as a low cost introduction to the unit. It is assumed that the owner of this power supply will eventually upgrade to the 'PSU1' power supply or for ultimate performance the 'Never Connected' PSU.
The ABS moulded housing of the power supply contains an in-line low noise 40VA toroidal transformer. AC current is fed to the Diablo where it is rectified to DC and regulated with four high performance, wide bandwidth Super Regulators.
Available in the following options:
230V operation with UK or European mains plug.
115V operation with USA style mains plug.
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Mains input voltage
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230Vac (110Vac
USA and Japan)
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Output voltage:
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0 - 17Vac, 0 - 17Vac
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Dimensions:
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84mm x 84mm x 50mm
(W x D x H)
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Weight:
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820gm
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Diablo 'Never Connected' PSU.
The NCPSU has completely different electronics to any conventional dc power supply. Instead of an oversized toroidal transformer, there is a PCB mounting variety followed by the revolutionary noise reduction circuitry that is called 'Never Connected'.
Although the regulation circuit is physically connected to the incoming mains, it is disconnected electronically. A monitoring circuit detects the portion of the sinewave that is charging the first of a pair of electrolytic capacitors. Once this first capacitor is fully charged, the diode bridge rectifier turns off and a mosfet switching circuit transfers the charge from the first cap to the second. This cycle is repeated continuously.
At no piont in time is the regulation circuitry electrically connected to the incoming rectified mains - hence the term 'Never Connected'. The overall result is a large and measurable reduction in mains borne noise.
This dramatic reduction of mains borne noise enables the Diablo phono circuit to give of its very best.
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Diablo NCPSU Power Supply Specification
| Output voltage: |
-0V - +22Vdc, 0V - -22Vdc |
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| Output current: |
+/- 0.5 amps dc |
| Mains input lead: |
3 pin IEC moulded, socket on rear of PSU. |
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| Mains input voltage: |
230Vac (110Vac USA and Japan) |
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| Dimensions: |
117mm x 190mm x 55mm (W x D x H) |
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| Weight: |
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| Materials used: |
Dark acylic casework to match Dino case. |
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Specifications for Diablo Phono Stage
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Stereo Phono Amplifier for Moving Coil and Moving Magnet Cartridges.
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Part passive, part active RIAA equalisation.
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Cartridge loading resistance:
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33 ohms
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100 ohms
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1k ohms
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47K ohms
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Cartridge loading
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MC 1.1nF
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Capacitance:
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MM 100pF
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Switch selectable gain:
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MC |
Very Low Output |
0.1 - 0.25mV 74dB
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MC |
Low Output
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0.25 - 0.4mV 70dB
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MC |
Normal Output
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0.4 - 0.6mV 63dB
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MM |
Low Output
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2 - 3mV 52dB
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MM |
High Output
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3 - 5mV 48dB
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Can be powered from either AC or DC power supply:
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AC Supply requirements:
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0 - 17 Volts, 0 - 17 Volts
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DC Supply requirements:
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0 - 22 Volts, 0 - 22 Volts
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Four ultra high performance 'Super Regulators'
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RIAA reproduction characteristics:
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20Hz - 20KHz
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+/-0.25dB
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Dimensions:
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185mm x 58mm x 112mm (D x H x W)
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Upgrade Path for the Diablo
Phono Stage.
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Step 1:
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The basic set-up - Diablo with 40VA Toroidal PSU
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Step 2:
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Replace the 40VA Toroidal PSU with
a 'Never Connected' Power Supply (NCPSU)
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Step 3:
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Change the Standard Power Supply Interconnect Lead
for the 'High Performance Power Interconnect Lead'
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Step 4:
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Replace the Standard Mains Lead for something
far better, maybe one of our own Powerleads!
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Step 5:
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A good Isolation Platform will always help
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Step 6:
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Make sure that you are using the best
Interconnect Leads for your system
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| Diablo Review |
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