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 Magnets.
As with the Dino, the Diablo will accept a wide variety of MM and MC cartridges with adjustments for amplifier gain and cartridge loading on the underside of the unit.
Four high speed low noise voltage regulators effectively turn this into a dual mono design in one box.
The prime power supply for this unit is the ‘Never Connected’ PSU. It is however available with an in-line toroidal supply as a starting option.
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 circuit 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.
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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 in subtle but deleterious ways.
Two versions of power supply are available for the Diablo, the basic toroidal transformer power supply and the fully blown ‘Never Connected’ PSU.
Diablo Power Supply Options:-
Increase Performance of your Diablo as you step up from the Toroidal Supply to the ‘Never Connected’ PSU
There are two options available to power the Diablo – the Toroidal AC supply and the ‘Never Connected PSU’ DC supply.
As you go up from the AC supply to the ‘Never Connected’ you benefit by a major increase in audio performance.
Both power supplies are in separate boxes to keep noise and hum levels as far away as possible from the sensitive audio circuits and are available in the following options:
◾230V operation with UK or European mains plug
◾115V operation with USA style mains plug
TOROIDAL AC POWER SUPPLY
Small Toroidal PSU for Dino
The Toroidal Power Supply option is provided as a low cost introduction.
Performance level will be more than adequate for many users, but you can upgrade at any time to the ‘Never Connected’ PSU.
The ABS molded housing of the Toroidal power supply contains an in-line low noise 40VA transformer. AC current is fed to the Dino where it is rectified to DC and regulated with two high performance, wide bandwidth Super Regulators.
THE ULTIMATE POWER SUPPLY FOR THE DIABLO - THE NCPSU
The NCPSU (Never Connected Power Supply Unit) has completely different electronics to any conventional dc power supply. Instead of an over sized toroidal transformer, there is a PCB mounting variety followed by the revolutionary noise reduction circuitry that is called ‘Never Connected’.
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Although the regulation circuit is physically connected to the incoming mains, it is disconnected electronically. A monitoring circuit detects the portion of the sine wave 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.
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At no point 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.
Technical Specifications:-
Specifications for the Diablo Phono Stage
Stereo phono amplifier for Moving coil and Moving magnet cartridges. Part active, part passive RIAA equalisation.
Switch Selectable Cartridge Resistance Loading (DIP 1 and 2)
33 ohms For Moving Coil cartridges
100 ohms For Moving Coil cartridges
1000 ohms For Moving Coil cartridges
47,000 ohms For Moving Magnet and some Moving Coil cartridges
Switch Selectable Capacitance Loading (DIP 1 and 2)
100pF For Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges
1000pF For Moving Coil cartridges
Please refer to your cartridge specification for correct loading settings.
Switch Selectable Gain (DIP 3 and 4)
Cartridge Type Sensitivity
MC Very Low: 100uV to 250uV (74dB)
MC Low: 250 to 400uV (70dB)
MC Normal: 400uV to 1mV (63dB)
MC High/MM Low: 1 to 3mV (52dB)
MM High: 3 to 5mV (48dB)
RIAA Reproduction Characteristics
20Hz to 20,000Hz +/-0.25dB
Output voltage: 0.5V at 1KHz
Power Supply Requirements
The Diablo can be powered from either an AC or a DC power supply.
AC requirements: two independent supplies of: 0v / 18v ac, 0v / 18v ac.
DC requirements: two independent supplies of: 0v /-22vdc , 0v / +22vdc
To avoid problems only use Trichord power supplies.
Dimensions and Weight
Overall case dimensions for Diablo: 185mm x 58mm x 112mm (D x H x W)
NCPSU
Standard AC PSU