PH-1000 LINE
Stereophile: 'Most Sophisticated Phono Stage Ever Made' — with Integral Line Stage
Description ⌄
GoldNote flagship phono stage with integral Class-A line stage — 2 RCA, 1 XLR phono inputs. MM/MC Phono Stage with Class-A line stage. Features 1 RCA and 1 XLR phono inputs, 1 RCA and 1 XLR outputs, infinite EQ curves with 4 manually adjustable presets and 36 EQ curves, adjustable load/gain/capacitance and external load, L/R swap and Rumble switch.
Technical background
GoldNote phono stages use a fully discrete Class A topology with separate regulated DC rails for each amplification stage, eliminating inter-stage interference. The proprietary Single Knob Control (SKC) stores cartridge loading, gain and capacitance settings in non-volatile memory — one knob, colour TFT display, instant recall. RIAA equalisation uses precision film resistors and polypropylene capacitors. The PH-1000 extends this to 36 historical EQ curves and 14 gain levels — the most configurable phono stage ever made, per Stereophile.
Design story
The PH-10 was GoldNote's first phono stage with a TFT colour display and Single Knob Control, a user-experience philosophy that became the signature of the entire range. The PH-1000 takes this to its logical extreme — 36 EQ curves, 14 gain levels, adjustable loading — earning Michael Fremer's verdict in Stereophile: 'by a considerable margin the most sophisticated, most configurable phono preamplifier that any audio manufacturer has ever produced.'
Best for
Audiophiles wanting the absolute pinnacle of phono stage configurability and performance; the PH-1000 Line adds balanced output to the flagship PH-1000 Reference analog system builders wanting the most configurable phono stage with an integral balanced line stage Reference phono: PH-1000 Line + PSU-1250 + Tuscany Gold or Red + Bellagio or Mediterraneo X + PA-1175 mkII + XS-85
Awards & press
⭐ Stereophile Recommended Components 2022; Mono & Stereo Editor's Choice Award 2022; Hifi Pig 5 Hearts 2022 "Gold Note's PH-1000 is by a considerable margin the most sophisticated, most configurable phono preamplifier that any audio manufacturer has ever produced." — Michael Fremer, Stereophile, February 2022
Features ⌄
- Class-A line stage built in — fewer boxes, lower noise
- 36 EQ curves for shellac, early vinyl and modern LP playback
- Adjustable loading for any MC or MM cartridge
- Stereophile reviewed + Hi-Fi Plus Highly Recommended — reference phono preamplifier
- Balanced XLR output + Class-A line stage — eliminates a preamplifier box in a reference analog system
- Infinite EQ curves via 4 manually adjustable presets covering any vinyl cutting standard from 1903 to present