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New Gold Note PH 10

I had posted a question a while ago about hearing from anyone with experience comparing the Gold Note PH 10 vs. the Bryston BP2 or Clear Audio Smart V2 phono preamps.  I never heard anything back about this subject, so I decided to just simply purchase a new PH 10 and compare it against my Clear Audio preamp.  

First impressions:  As much as I love my Clear Audio Smart V2 and in particular its sound stage and imaging qualities, I have to say that the PH 10 was considerably better at detail and picking out the instruments, especially the low and mid range ones.   The Clear Audio seemed to be a little better at the upper end imaging and the sound stage.  But keep in mind this was with the PH 10 new right out of the box.

I was told the PH 10 needs at least 50 hours of run in time to open up, so I used it for two nights and left it on for several days.  After allowing it to settle in and enjoying a lot of music, I still thought the Clear Audio had a leg up on it in the sound stage/imaging department.   So I decided to listen to a well known record to me with excellent recording and a lot of dynamic range on the PH 10, then switch the wires over to the Clear Audio (which I had not heard in several days by this time), and replay the record.   YIKES!!!  it was like a blanket was draped over my speakers.  I had become so gradually accustomed to the new PH 10 that I had not noticed the slight changes going on with the break in.  When the Clear Audio was swapped back into the system (it took me about a minute to do this), it was night and day the differences.

The PH 10 was by far a much more detailed, pronounced signature with a superior sound stage and the imaging was hands down better.  I am using it with the Audio Technica AT20ss vintage MM cartridge which has an extraordinary frequency range of 5-50K hz, so I was able to take advantage of the Enhanced RIAA curve the PH 10 has.  It is pretty outstanding.   Make sure you break things in!   I love this phono preamp.
slimpikins5
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Lewm
Just to clarify.
I would say I am and have been very happy with my ph10 but you know how audio is, always truly something might be better synergy.
Reading this thread latest posts and having heard only good about Whest just got me thinking.

Would be nice to have both to compare but that is not likely to happen.

I have to say the ph10 sounds really sweet with the Nagaoka mp150 on the Notts TT, I prefer that combo right now to either of the higher dollar MC carts I have to hand, Scheu SL and Ortofon Cadenza Black.

Just loathe to potential waste a grand as would never recover that for sure.
lewm
13,718 posts
 
Uber, I think that ("wasting" a grand) every time I buy something audio-related, because I already have SOOOO much stuff here.  (For example, I just spent slightly upwards of a grand on yet another vintage phono cartridge, when I already have 3-4 potentially superb NOS cartridges still to be auditioned.) Then the feeling goes away until next time.  I try to tell myself I will sell something in order to make up the difference, but I am too lazy ever to carry through on that thought.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Good points Lewm!

I just have  this mental block on 1k for a PS, just seems a lot.

Maybe I just need my mindset in order and try it.

But then there are still the Whest......

It never ends....
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
The Gold Note PSU does not improved the bass, the rest of this phono stage is beautiful, except for the lack of deep bass response. But almost any phono stage i have heard does not reproduce the bass as good as my WLM phono stage.

Each phono stage i have purchaced over the years gave me all required settings "on the fly" for any cartridge (MM or MC), but each time i’m using WLM i hear what i’m missing in low register. At the moment WLM is a champ in bass. My Miyabi MCA (LOMC) is the most organic and the most interesting MC cartridge i have owned, it’s definitely on the warmer side, the imaging is holographic and the silky deep bass is oustanding with WLM phono stage. Maybe this is all i need.

I decieed to pass on the caps upgrade, i did not realised how big is the size of each cap until i got them by post (almost like a beer can) so i returned them. But i have replaced all load resistors on my WLM, those naked foil vishay load resistors from texas components are oustanding.

At the moment nothing can beat the Miyabi MCA on Lustre GST-801 connected to WLM Phonata Reference.

P.S. thinking about Miyabi i remember 47 Labs current injection phono stage 4712 (input impedance is ZERO Ohms), i’d like to try it with my Miyabi. I think @pani owned 47 Labs Cube. Actually my Miyabi MCA was made by Takeda-San prior to Miyabi 47.
lewm
13,718 posts
 
Ideally, the input impedance for a "current driven" phono stage would indeed be zero ohms, but that is impossible to achieve in the real world (because the signal voltage would be completely lost to ground).  As a result, most present at least a 2-ohm impedance.  Some tube versions present 10-12 ohms.  I've been curious to try one.  Do you guys notice how every year or two there is a new fad in phono stage design?  First it was LCR. Then it was LR (very rare examples).  Lately it's been "current drive".
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