Gold Note PH-1000 Phono Stage – A Quick Look

All Image Credit: Gold Note

Costing almost $12,000.00, this Italian premium phono stage by Gold Note offers a huge range of features including a large range of; Equalization Curves, Loads, Capacitance’s, Gains and Connectivity. Selection and control of these extensive features maybe either local using its single front panel rotary knob or via its IR remote. All settings are graphically displayed on the large front panel 3.5″ TFT color monitor.

For those with still deeper pockets at $15,999.00 the PH-1000 LINE adds an analog line input stage for your CD player etc. and for those wishing to empty their piggy banks you can add either the PSU-1000 or PSU-1250 external power supplies for an additional $4,199.00 or $6,599.00 respectively.

Despite all the digital control, the PH-1000 signal path is fully analogue employing a solid-state Dual-Mono “Discrete Components Design” with High-End audio-grade sealed analogue switches to shorten the audio signal paths.

Offering 18 pre-set EQ curves and four manually adjustable custom curves, the PH-1000 will ensure that whatever EQ curve was used in the production of your vinyl that it will be correctly matched for its replay. Pre-set curves include: RIAA, Capitol, Columbia/CBS, Deutsche Grammophon, Decca London USA, Decca London UK, Decca Mono 78rpm, Epic, HMW, Mercury, RCA Victor, Philips, Elektra, L’Oiseau-Lyre and Parlophone. Furthermore, all these curves can be “enhanced” with their “Neumann Cutting Lathe” inspired technology that extends the frequency response to 50KHz and can all be tailored for LF roll-off with a selectable subsonic filter. This all seems a little unnecessary, as for me, I am happy with RIAA and selectable IEC roll-off, but there is no accounting for the vinyl enthusiasts needs!

Matching and loading your MM or MC phono cartridge to the PH-1000 couldn’t be simpler. There are 6 MM and 6 MC gain levels, 12 load levels (8 for XLR input) and 7 capacitance options to fine-tune Moving Magnet cartridges. On top of those initial selections you can also make fine adjustments to them all in real-time while your record is playing.

Audio connectivity includes:

• 2 RCA phono stereo inputs (with binding posts)
• 1 RCA phono stereo load/line input. Used to add custom cartridge loading plugs/optional line input.
• 1 balanced XLR phono stereo input – MC only
• 1 balanced XLR phono load/line stereo input. Used to add custom cartridge loading plugs/optional line input.
• 1 RCA stereo output
• 1 balanced XLR stereo output
• 1 XLR 5 pin stereo Tube Output (for the Gold Note Class A TUBE-1006 and TUBE-1012 external tube line level amplifiers)
• 1 headphone output (front panel)

Other rear panel connectivity includes; AC power, mini USB for firmware upgrades, a RS232 serial control port and DC connector for an external power supply.

Additional features and upgrade paths include; swap channels, Mono/Stereo mode, phase invert, LAN/W-LAN (optional) connectivity, user upgradable firmware, outboard DC power supply upgrade and line amplifier upgrade to handle devices like CD players.

To flush out all this flexibility and add the “tube” sound the PH-1000 series can be paired with the TUBE-1006 or TUBE-10012 Class A line valve amplifiers. These tube amplifiers feature multiple inductive power supply stages with either twelve or six 6n1p dual triode valve output stages.

Brief Technical Specifications:

• GAIN:
  • MM 40dB adjustable 34 to 49dB (50 to 280 times) in 6 steps
  • MC 65dB adjustable 59 to 74dB (890 to 5000 times) in 6 steps
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE:  20Hz – 20KHz
• TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION THD: <0.01% max.
• SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO: -93dB
• INPUT IMPEDANCE: 100KΩ, 75KΩ, 47KΩ, 33KΩ, 22KΩ, 1KΩ, 470Ω, 220Ω, 100Ω, 47Ω, 22Ω, 10Ω
• INPUT CAPACITY: MM – 100pF, 150pF, 220pF, 330pF, 470pF, 1000pF
• SUBSONIC FILTER: 10Hz/36dB oct.
• DYNAMIC RANGE: 110dB
• DIMENSIONS:  430mm W, 135mm H, 375mm D
• FINISHES:  Brushed Aluminum in Black, Silver or Gold color

A very sturdy, no compromise, well built phono amplifier with a terrific range of features and functionality that no doubt provides outstanding performance, but for most would probably be overkill.

MSRP:

• PH-1000: $11,999.00
• PH-1000 LINE: $15,999.00
• PSU-1000: $4,199.00
• PSU-1250: $6,599.00
• TUBE-1006: $3,799.00
• TUBE-1012: $7,099.00

For full details on Gold Note Products visit the Gold Note web site.

See the Gold Note USA web site for details on the PH-1000, PH-1000 LINE and PSU-1000/1250

Read my review of the Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL phono amplifier here.