Trichord Research Diablo Phonostage / GEN 2 NC Power Supply / HP Lead – Silver

Here we have a high quality phono stage from Trichord Research. Our example of the Diablo is in very good condition and is supplied in original packaging along with a GEN 2 NC Power Supply, HP Lead, manual, plus our standard three month warranty.
Trichord Research Say….
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.
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 a further set of four provides 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 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. 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.
The NCPSU (Never Connected Power Supply Unit) 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 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.
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.