Gold Note PH-1000 Best Phono Preamp?

I just read Fremer's review of the PH1000 in S'phile published in 2022.  He spends most of the space saying why the multiple alternative compensation curves are unnecessary. He offers evidence that RIAA was the standard, almost immediately after the introduction of stereo.  (But the conversion from mono to stereo recording was not simultaneous in all countries where records were made, and he fails to provide dates.) He does not really say much about SQ, which is what we really care about.  This suggests to me he was not overwhelmed by the SQ.

Fremer has provided plenty of evidence that RIAA was adopted universally quite a while ago.  But, I've heard some phono stages that offer different curves and there are some recordings, that are quite modern, where, in the particular system, an alternative curve sounded better.  I don't think the recording was actually done utilizing a different curve, so the "improved" result using a different curve is a matter of recording/mastering, system synergy, personal taste, and/or a combination of such factors.  It doesn't hurt to try something different when a recording doesn't sound great with the default RIAA equalization.

But that’s just a shot in the dark. Don’tcha think?

In his PH-1000 review Fremer did try at least one alternate curve and said it did sound better on the test LP.  Not saying he is wrong about the RIAA curve adoption,  but relying on older folks memories is dangerous.  Not to mention folks that may have beef repeating the corporate line.

Y'all take care, 

Robert

“beef” should have been “been”.