Gold Note PH-1000 lite black

The Gold Note PH-1000 Lite represents a concentration of Italian expertise in phono preamplification. Designed for demanding audiophiles, this high-end phono preamp offers remarkable versatility to fully exploit the potential of all MM and MC cartridges. A slightly simplified version of the brand’s flagship models, the PH-1000 Lite retains the essential features that have made Gold Note’s reputation while offering an optimized price-performance ratio. Its discrete component design, class A amplification, and multiple adjustment options make it an ideal partner for rediscovering your vinyl treasures with exceptional precision and musicality.

Comprehensive connectivity for maximum versatility

The PH-1000 Lite emphasizes connectivity, offering three independent phono inputs: two unbalanced stereo RCA inputs and one balanced stereo XLR input. This configuration allows you to connect up to three different turntables or a turntable equipped with multiple tonearms, each with its own cartridge. Each RCA input has its own ground terminal, facilitating turntable grounding and effectively reducing the risk of hum.

On the output side, the preamp is equally well-equipped with an unbalanced RCA output, a balanced XLR output, and a dedicated output for optional tube modules TUBE-1006 or TUBE-1012. The front panel also features a 6.35 mm jack headphone output powered by a class A amplifier, allowing you to enjoy your vinyl in private with exceptional sound quality.

The versatility of the PH-1000 Lite is also expressed through its multiple adjustment options. It offers no fewer than fourteen gain levels, ranging from 40 dB for MM cartridges to 60 dB for low-output MC cartridges, with seven fine-tuning options (0 dB, ±3 dB, ±6 dB, ±9 dB). Additionally, there are twelve impedance load levels for the RCA inputs and eight for the XLR input, as well as seven capacitance values for MM cartridges. This wealth of parameters allows precise adaptation of the preamp to any phono cartridge on the market.

A treasure trove of equalization curves for all vinyl records

One of the most remarkable features of the PH-1000 Lite lies in its 18 predefined equalization curves, each with an “Enhanced” version, bringing the total to 36 available curves. Beyond the classic RIAA curve used for modern records, there are rarer equalization profiles such as Deutsche Grammophon, Decca London USA, Capitol, Columbia LP, NAB, AES, and many others.

This abundance of equalization curves allows you to fully exploit the potential of old or historical records pressed before the standardization of the RIAA norm in the 1950s. At that time, each record label used its own equalization curve, and the PH-1000 Lite enables you to restore the original sound of these recordings by applying the appropriate curve. The “Enhanced” option for each curve further revitalizes recordings that may lack dynamism.

The preamp also features an activatable subsonic filter, cutting frequencies below 10 Hz with a slope of 36 dB per octave. This filter effectively eliminates rumble noise and very low-frequency disturbances that could damage your speakers without adding any useful musical content. A mono/stereo function completes the customization arsenal, ideal for playing vintage mono records.

Uncompromising sound quality

The PH-1000 Lite is entirely designed with exclusive discrete components, subjected to strict computer-controlled testing to ensure the best possible performance. Class A amplification ensures precise and detailed reproduction, preserving all the micro-details and dynamics of the signal.

The technical performance meets expectations, with total harmonic distortion below 0.01%, a signal-to-noise ratio of 100 dB, and a dynamic range of 110 dB. These characteristics translate into a listening experience free of background noise, dynamic and transparent, allowing you to rediscover the richness of vinyl recordings.

The soundstage is wide and precise, with excellent channel separation and a stable stereo image. Timbres are respected, transients are fast, and the subtlest details are rendered naturally. The PH-1000 Lite particularly excels in its ability to reveal dynamic nuances, from the most delicate pianissimos to the most powerful fortissimos, without compression or coloration.

An intuitive user interface

Gold Note has focused on ease of use despite the technical complexity of the device. The PH-1000 Lite adopts the “Single Knob Control” principle: all functions and settings are accessible via a single rotary button, through rotation and pressing. This minimalist approach is complemented by the color TFT display, which clearly shows all necessary information.

The screen intuitively displays the selected input, the type of cartridge used, gain, impedance, and capacitance values, as well as the active equalization curve, whose profile is graphically represented. The activation of the “Enhanced” mode, the subsonic filter, the mono/stereo choice, and the screen brightness adjustment are also visible at a glance.

All settings can be adjusted in real-time during playback, either directly on the device or via the included remote control. The system memorizes the parameters for each input, allowing the preamp to be configured differently depending on the turntable or cartridge used, without having to redo the settings each time.

A modular and scalable design

The PH-1000 Lite aligns with Gold Note’s philosophy of modularity. It is compatible with high-end external power supplies PSU-1250 and PSU-1000, which further enhance performance by completely isolating the power supply from the audio circuit. This separation reduces electromagnetic interference and ensures a more stable and purer power supply.

The device also features a dedicated output for optional tube modules TUBE-1006 and TUBE-1012. These external modules add a tube output stage, providing a different sound coloration for those who appreciate the characteristic warmth of tube amplification. This modularity allows the system to be tailored to listening preferences and future upgrades without replacing the entire preamp.

A mini-USB port also allows the device’s firmware to be updated, ensuring product longevity and the possibility of benefiting from future improvements. The microcontroller is separate and independent from the audio signal path to avoid any interference with it.

Technical Specifications

Audio Features

• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Equalization curves
  • 18 equalization curves with enhancement option (+/- 0.3 dB)
  • Infinite equalization curves with 4 manually adjustable presets (only on PH-1000 / PH-1000 LINE)
• Total harmonic distortion (THD): < 0.01% max.
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 100 dB
• Dynamic range: 110 dB
• Infrasonic filter: 10 Hz / 36 dB per octave (ON / OFF)
• Mono/stereo modes: stereo, stereo 180°, mono, mono 180°, mono L
• Channel inversion: R / L, L / R
• Infrared receiver for multifunction remote control

Connectivity

• Audio inputs
  • 2x unbalanced RCA (0.1 mV MC up to 8.0 mV MM)
  • 1x balanced XLR (0.1 mV up to 1.0 mV MC)
• Load impedance
  • 12 options for RCA [100 kΩ, 75 kΩ, 47 kΩ, 33 kΩ, 22 kΩ, 1 kΩ, 470 Ω, 220 Ω, 100 Ω, 47 Ω, 22 Ω, 10 Ω]
  • 8 options for XLR [4.7 kΩ, 1 kΩ, 470 Ω, 220 Ω, 100 Ω, 47 Ω, 22 Ω, 10 Ω]
  • External load compatible with RCA and XLR connectors (only on PH-1000 / PH-1000 LINE)
• Capacitance: OFF, 100 pF, 150 pF, 220 pF, 330 pF, 470 pF, 1000 pF
• PH-1000 LITE gain: 40 dB MM to 60 dB MC with 7 options [0 dB, ± 3 dB, ± 6 dB, ± 9 dB]
• Audio outputs
  • 1x unbalanced RCA (up to 2.5 Vrms max)
  • 1x balanced XLR (up to 2.5 Vrms max)
  • 1x stereo output for tube (balanced GN) for optional TUBE-1012 and TUBE-1006
• Output impedance
  • Unbalanced: 100 Ω
  • Balanced: 300 Ω

Power Supply and Electrical Features

• Power consumption: 430 W
• Input for external power supply Gold Note PSU-1250 and PSU-1000
• Power supply: dual mono linear power supply 100-240 V with automatic detection, 50-60 Hz
• Fuse: 2A T

Physical Characteristics

• Dimensions: 430 mm W | 135 mm H | 375 mm D
• Dimensions with packaging: 630 mm W | 350 mm H | 600 mm D
• Weight: 12 kg net, 17 kg with packaging

PH-1000 LITE Features

• Infrasonic filter
• Mono/stereo control
• 2 RCA phono inputs and 1 XLR input
• RCA and XLR outputs (class A)
• Headphone output
• Fine adjustments for capacitance and load impedance
• Gain from 40 dB (MM) to 60 dB (MC) with fine adjustments
• 18 equalization curves with enhancement option