PROJECT NAME

AXION
BASED ON BUILD DIFFICULTY
Echoplex EP-3 Preamp Easy
EFFECT TYPE DOCUMENT VERSION
Preamp, tone enhancer 1.0.0 (2025-03-28)
PROJECT SUMMARY
An adaptation of the JFET input stage of the Echoplex EP-3 tape delay unit, famously used by Jimmy
Page, Brian May and many others.

Actual size is 2.3” x 1.86” (main board) and 1.78” x 0.86” (bypass board).

AXION JFET PREAMP 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Project Overview 7 Drill Template
2 Introduction & Usage 8 Enclosure Layout
3-4 Parts List 9 Wiring Diagram
5 Build Notes 10 Licensing
6 Schematic 10 Document Revisions

INTRODUCTION
The Axion JFET Preamp is based on the Chase Tone Secret Preamp, an adaptation of the input section of
the Echoplex tape echo delay from the 1970s.

The Secret Preamp was originally released in 2013 and traced by Aion FX in 2025. We were not the first
to trace it, but being an accurate reproduction of the Echoplex preamp, there are no big surprises under
the hood. Ours had a few alternate values from other units, but nothing to substantially impact the tone.

This is one of three Aion FX projects based on the Echoplex preamp alongside the Ares (ClinchFX EP-
Pre) and Ephemeris (Xotic EP Booster). Each of the circuits takes a different approach to the inexact
nature of copying a delay pedal without the delay.

The Xotic EP Booster is a more usable circuit at the expense of accuracy, acting as a more traditional
boost with some tone shaping that gets you into Echoplex territory.

The Clinch EP-Pre is a balance of accuracy and usability. The first stage is a direct implementation of the
Echoplex, but an output buffer has been added in order to maintain consistent interaction with pedals
that come afterward.

The Secret Preamp, on the other hand, is the closest part-for-part recreation of the three, with only
the JFET stage and no second boost or buffer. It also runs on a slightly higher 22V internal voltage by
reconfiguring the charge pump. (All three circuits still use 9V as a supply voltage.)

The Ares and Axion should sound the same in normal usage. But for those who are concerned about
having the closest part-for-part recreation of the Echoplex, the Axion keeps it simple and direct.

USAGE
The Axion has the following controls:

• Volume sets the overall volume level. It starts at zero and tops out just slightly above unity with the
Mode switch in the center position. The maximum volume is reached at around 2:00 on the rotation,
but there is still a slight tonal shift from 2:00 to 5:00.

• Mode selects between early EP-3, late EP-3, and a third in-between mode. The late and in-between
modes increase the available gain.

AXION JFET PREAMP 2

PARTS LIST
This parts list is also available in a spreadsheet format which can be imported directly into Mouser for
easy parts ordering. Mouser doesn’t carry all the parts—most notably potentiometers—so the second
tab lists all the non-Mouser parts as well as sources for each.

View parts list spreadsheet →

PART VALUE TYPE NOTES

R1 100k Metal film resistor, 1/4W Echoplex value. Secret Preamp uses 110k.

R2 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R3 3k3 Metal film resistor, 1/4W Echoplex value. Secret Preamp uses 3k6.

R4 22k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R5 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R6 1M Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R7 240k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

R8 100k Metal film resistor, 1/4W Echoplex value. Secret Preamp uses 110k.

R9 100k Metal film resistor, 1/4W Echoplex value. Secret Preamp uses 110k.

R10 1k Metal film resistor, 1/4W

RPD 2M2 Metal film resistor, 1/4W Input pulldown resistor.

C1 220pF MLCC capacitor, NP0/C0G

C2 22n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm

C3 22n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm

C4 10n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm

C5 100n Film capacitor, 7.2 x 2.5mm

C6 470n MLCC capacitor, X7R Power supply filter capacitor.

C7 10uF Electrolytic capacitor, 5mm Charge pump capacitor.

C8 10uF Electrolytic capacitor, 5mm Charge pump capacitor.

C9 10uF Electrolytic capacitor, 5mm Charge pump capacitor.

C10 220uF Electrolytic capacitor, 6.3mm Power supply filter capacitor.

C11 220uF Electrolytic capacitor, 6.3mm Power supply filter capacitor.

C15 100n MLCC capacitor, X7R Power supply filter capacitor.

D1 1N5817 Schottky diode, DO-41

D2 1N4743A Zener diode, 13V, DO-41

D3 1N5817 Schottky diode, DO-41

D4 1N5817 Schottky diode, DO-41

D5 1N5817 Schottky diode, DO-41

D6 1N5817 Schottky diode, DO-41

D7 1N4748A Zener diode, 22V, DO-41

AXION JFET PREAMP 3

PARTS LIST, CONT.
PART VALUE TYPE NOTES
IC1 LT1054CP Charge pump / voltage converter

IC1-S DIP-8 socket IC socket, DIP-8

VOL. 500kA 16mm right-angle PCB mount pot

Q1 2N5457 JFET, small-signal, TO-92 Available from Aion FX. Can also use 2N5484.

MODE SPDT cntr off Toggle switch, SPDT on-off-on

LED 5mm LED, 5mm, red diffused

IN 1/4" stereo 1/4" phone jack, closed frame Switchcraft 112BX or equivalent.

OUT 1/4" mono 1/4" phone jack, closed frame Switchcraft 111X or equivalent.

DC 2.1mm DC jack, 2.1mm panel mount Mouser 163-4302-E or equivalent.

BATT Battery snap 9V battery snap Optional. Use the soft plastic type—the hard-shell type will not fit.

FSW 3PDT Stomp switch, 3PDT

ENC 125B Enclosure, die-cast aluminum Can also use a Hammond 1590N1.

AXION JFET PREAMP 4

BUILD NOTES

Wiring note
In order to maintain good grounding practices, the charge pump has been given its own ground instead
of sharing a ground plane with the audio signal. Because of this, there is another ground wire that needs
to be connected on the right side, to the left of the “Out” wire.

The wiring diagram shows this added wire, but since it’s otherwise identical to most other Aion projects,
it could easily be overlooked.

JFET selection
The TIS58 JFETs used in the original EP-3 are nearly impossible to find. Fortunately, there’s nothing
special about the TIS58, and it is very similar to current-production JFETs such as the 2N5484 (used in
the Clinch EP-Pre for Q1) and 2N5457 (used in the Secret Preamp).

Due to the growing scarcity of through-hole JFETs, pads have been provided to allow easy use of
surface-mount alternatives if you’re okay soldering those. Just be careful because you can’t socket them
like you can with through-hole parts. Once they’re soldered, it’s a lot of work to get them off without
specialized desoldering equipment.

AXION JFET PREAMP 5

SCHEMATIC

+9V VA

D1 IC1 D3 D4 D5 D6 R10
1 8
2 7
1N5817 1N5817 1N5817 1N5817 1N5817 1k

1N4743A
C15 C11 C6 3 6

1N4748A
C7 C8 C9 C10

D2
4 5
100n 220uF 470n

D7
LT1054CP 10uF 10uF 10uF 220uF
GND
GND
GND GND GND GND
GND GND GND

VA

22k
R4

100n
C5
R8
OUT
100k
22n
C2

R1 Q1

240k

100k
R7

R9
IN
100k 2N5457 VOLUME
C1 500kA
RPD

2M2

1M
R2

220pF 1 3
C3 C4 2
3k3
R3

22n 10n
MODE
GND GND GND GND GND
3

1
1M

1M
R5

R6
2

GND GND GND GND

Early = center (no cap)
Late = down (22n cap)
Mod = up (10n cap, in between)

AXION JFET PREAMP 6

DRILL TEMPLATE
Cut out this drill template, fold the edges and tape it to the enclosure. Before drilling, it’s recommended
to first use a center punch for each of the holes to help guide the drill bit.

Ensure that this template is printed at 100% or “Actual Size”. You can double-check this by measuring
the scale on the printed page.

Top jack layout assumes the use of closed-frame jacks like the Switchcraft 111X. Open-frame jacks will
not fit in layouts with one knob due to the placement of the DC jack.

LED hole drill size assumes the use of a 5mm LED bezel, available from several parts suppliers. Adjust
size accordingly if using something different, such as a 3mm bezel, a plastic bezel, or just a plain LED.

INCH
125B

0.385”

0 1 0.625” 0.625”

ø3/8” ø3/8”
ø1/2”
CM
OUT DC IN

0 1 2

VOLUME

x: 0, y: +1.71
ø9/32”

MODE

x: 0, y: +0.41
ø1/4”

CENTER (0,0)

LED FOOTSWITCH

x: -0.775, y: -1.20 x: 0, y: -1.20

ø5/16” ø15/32”

AXION JFET PREAMP 7

ENCLOSURE LAYOUT
Enclosure is shown without jacks. See next page for jack layout and wiring.

125B

AXION JFET PREAMP 8

WIRING DIAGRAM

IN GND +V P.GND N.C. OUT

PCB GND +V +V JACK GND JACK GND GND PCB

IN IN OUT OUT

125B

Shown with optional 9V battery. If battery is omitted, both jacks can be mono rather than one being stereo.
Leave the far-right lug of the DC jack unconnected.

AXION JFET PREAMP 9

LICENSE & USAGE
No direct support is offered for these projects beyond the provided documentation. It’s assumed
that you have at least some experience building pedals before starting one of these. Replacements and
refunds cannot be offered unless it can be shown that the circuit or documentation are in error.

All of these circuits have been tested in good faith in their base configurations. However, not all the
modifications or variations have necessarily been tested. These are offered only as suggestions based
on the experience and opinions of others.

Projects may be used for commercial endeavors in any quantity unless specifically noted. No
attribution is necessary, though a link back is always greatly appreciated. The only usage restrictions
are that (1) you cannot resell the PCB as part of a kit without prior arrangement, and (2) you cannot
“goop” the circuit, scratch off the screenprint, or otherwise obfuscate the circuit to disguise its source.
(In other words: you don’t have to go out of your way to advertise the fact that you use these PCBs, but
please don’t go out of your way to hide it. The guitar effects industry needs more transparency, not less!)

DOCUMENT REVISIONS
1.0.0 (2025-03-28)
Initial release.

AXION JFET PREAMP 10