Acoustech PH-1 Premium Phonostage

PH-1P Phono Stage Premium Version
The Acoustech PH-1P Phono Stage continues to receive accolades from both audio reviewers and our customers. Its attention to detail, parts quality and refined circuit design by audio and electrical engineer Ron Sutherland that gives it an edge over competing designs. The Acoustech PH-1Ps lively, transparent presentation and incredible low-level resolution will allow you to hear new details and subtleties from your treasured LPs. Many PH-1P owners commented that it was one of the biggest system improvements they have made. We have commissioned Ron Sutherland to do premium version with hand-soldered parts and gold-plated circuit board that yields better signal transfer. It will be available in limited quantities.

WP liked the original PH-1 (no longer available), calling this Ron Sutherland-designed solid -state MM/MC phono preamp "a winner when it came to producing dynamic shadings... [It] conceded little to the best in the areas of pace and rhythm... never imposed its own rhythmic signature on the music... [and] had incredible bass extension." The PH-1P has hand-soldered parts and a gold-plated circuit board; Sam found the differences between the basic and Premium versions to be subtle yet significant, raising the rating to Class A. "The PH-1P gave me a welcome and worthwhile sonic improvement. The sound opened up. Highs became more extended. I heared more spatial resouution. I noted a small gain in overall transparency, including better-defined bass." St is, however, devoted to his reference: "I probably wouldn't run and sell my standard Ph-1 in order to upgrage, but I would plunk down the extra cash for the P if I were buying a Ph-1 now." (Vol.21 No6, Ph-1; Vol.25 No.8, Ph-1P) Stereophile Recommended Component April 2003 Class A $$$ Page 57

Audio Ideas Reveiw of Acoustech PH-1