TRANSLATION OF GERMAN CAR AUDIO EXCLUSIVE 1/98 TEST

                      Written by Mr. De Loev

Amplifier Renaissance RE-2:

 “This is an extraordinary amplifier. It’s different, and differs from all existing amplifiers.” 

"we have never heard such an amplifier as RE-2 with such fascinating sound characteristics"

To listen to the difference between good amplifiers you need to listen for quite a while. But the Phass RE-2 makes it easy for you. This extraordinary Japanese amplifier sounds tonally different where other amplifiers sound the same. More than this, though it may sound exaggerated now, the Phass RE-2 opens new dimensions in music reproduction. It is not only different, but indeed better. The fact that this amplifier is more expensive is logical – it is a new dimension again.

The background: Mr. Kurokochi and his company, FT Trading, is responsible for Phass. He was an importer of fine High-End Hi-Fi products. Out of a passion for music and Hi-Fi he developed the idea for an amplifier using the famous Tube Type 300B. This tube from Western Electric has become legendary over the past few years; that novel glass tube evokes a culture status. Until now, to install this type of tube into a car amplifier failed for several reasons. Firstly, the vibrations and shocks that usually occur in a car are a big problem. Secondly, the power efficiency is too low for car speakers and the noise generated in the cabin, even for an S-class Mercedes, is too high. Finally, realistic production would have been prohibitively expensive. Accordingly a different approach had to be taken.

Re-consciousness: The Field Effective Transistors (FETs) are in their behavior more similar than the usual bi-polar transistors, this common knowledge. The progress made with the Phass Renaissance is based on regression. These modern transistors have a circuit field similar to tube amplifiers. Insiders know about their influence on sound. The ratio and tension of these transformers is located in front of the FETs. The tension is shifted by 180 degrees towards one phase for two FETs high transformed. They have to generate a push-pull of the electricity, that’s all.

Technical: The small signal area is built on conventional modules, but with the best ingredients. Special input terminals from Audison show between the middle axis and protected outer-ring another concentrated pole for a second symmetrical line. Unusual, but not as eccentric as you can describe the tension controlled power supply. The basic power supply is hidden under a steel hat, it can be described as unusual too. The amplifier stage can avoid the great influence of the power supply circuit.

Measurement: Measuring this amplifier is hardly impossible. But the human ear is more precise and listening to the dynamics of music has little in common with statistical data. The Phass amplifier has 38 watts on 8ohms and 32 watts on 4ohms. This unusual behavior (normally the performance increase with less impedance) can be explained by the principle of the output transformer. A big advantage of this principle is that RE-2 can show the strong power at the point of increased high impedance in the speaker's resonance frequency range. Another big advantage is that no feedback which has a bad influence on the speakers, is relayed to the amplifier.

Design: Form follows the function. An absolute highlight is the speaker terminals; perfect screw terminals from WBT. After removing the aluminum top you can see selected parts such as the power supply, audio section, audio grade condensers, etc.

The Sound: After mentioning at the beginning of this article about tremendous sound, it is now time to consider the sense of the technical expenditure. After changing from terrific amplifier of usual design to the Phass RE-2 you will recognize the tonal difference immediately. This sound is for the ground (base) sound very tight, but after a few listening sections a totally new listening dimension appears up in the front. Voices and instruments receive counter, they show up clearly and physically. The bass is unspectacular but endlessly deep and raven black. In comparison to this amplifier every other amplifier sounds gelatinized, hollow and inertial.

The Music: These impressions were reproduced on each loudspeaker we tested: Dynaudio®, Boston®, Magnat®. Otherwise the impedance influences the frequency range of the amplifier due to its high inner resistance. After switching to any other amplifier, they always pale in comparison with RE-2; the music loses vividness, vocals appear strangely without life, and it seems as if there is a wet towel on the speakers. It may sound harsh. But we have never heard such an amplifier as RE-2 with such fascinating sound characteristics. To control this result we invited other reviewers, who were not attached with this test, to listen to the Phass - with the same result. The first impression was of surprise due to the big difference, finally total excitement and full agreement with our result.

Result: Out of a few hundred tested amplifiers, this is the most extraordinary, the most musical and unfortunately the most expensive amplifier. But as long as you cannot buy an adequate amplifier for less, this amplifier Phass RE-2 is reasonably priced. But in any case, this is not exaggerated, it opens a new dimension in listening.