Gold Note PH-1000 Phono Stage

The Gold Note PH-1000 is Gold Note’s reference phono stage, designed for high-end vinyl systems that need serious cartridge matching, flexible EQ control and a fully analog signal path.

Built in Italy, the PH-1000 is made for listeners using high-performance MM or MC cartridges. It offers multiple phono inputs, adjustable gain, load and capacitance, selectable EQ curves, mono/stereo control, a headphone output and both RCA and balanced XLR outputs.

The PH-1000 is available in three versions: PH-1000 LITE, PH-1000 and PH-1000 LINE. Each version shares the same core platform, but the differences matter depending on how much adjustment, cartridge flexibility and system control you need.

At a glance

• Reference-level Gold Note phono stage for high-end vinyl systems
• Three versions available: PH-1000 LITE, PH-1000 and PH-1000 LINE
• MM and MC cartridge support with adjustable gain, load and capacitance
• 2 RCA phono inputs plus 1 balanced XLR phono input
• RCA and balanced XLR outputs for flexible system matching
• Built-in EQ curve selection for different labels, eras and record types
• Mono/stereo control, infrasonic filter and front-panel display
• Headphone output for direct listening from your turntable
• PH-1000 adds deeper cartridge matching and custom EQ memory presets
• PH-1000 LINE adds a Class A line preamp stage with RCA and XLR line inputs

Three versions, one reference platform

The PH-1000 LITE is the most accessible version of the PH-1000 platform. It keeps the core phono stage functionality, including three phono inputs, MM and MC cartridge support, adjustable gain, load and capacitance, EQ curve selection, mono/stereo control, an infrasonic filter and a headphone output.

Choose the PH-1000 LITE if you want a high-end Gold Note phono stage, but do not need the deepest cartridge matching tools, external load inputs or line preamp functionality.

The PH-1000 adds the full phono stage feature set. Compared with the LITE version, it offers higher MC gain, external load support, L/R channel swap and four manually adjustable EQ presets. This makes it the better choice for more advanced vinyl systems, especially if you are using low-output MC cartridges, multiple cartridges or want more control over equalization.

The PH-1000 LINE includes everything from the PH-1000 and adds a Class A line preamp stage with RCA and XLR line inputs. This version is ideal if you want the PH-1000 to serve as both a reference phono stage and a preamp for other line-level sources such as a DAC, streamer or CD player.

Built for serious cartridge matching

A phono stage has a major impact on how a cartridge performs. The PH-1000 gives you the control needed to properly match a wide range of MM and MC cartridges, with adjustable gain, load and capacitance settings available from the front panel.

This level of adjustment makes the PH-1000 especially useful for systems built around higher-end moving coil cartridges, multiple tonearms or cartridges with more specific loading requirements.

EQ control for more than standard RIAA playback

Not every record was cut using the same equalization curve. The PH-1000 includes EQ curve selection for different labels, eras and record types, making it especially useful for collectors with older pressings, mono records and 78 rpm records.

In addition to standard RIAA playback, the PH-1000 includes curves for labels and formats such as Capitol, Columbia/CBS, Deutsche Grammophon, Decca, Mercury, RCA Victor, Philips, Elektra and more. Each curve also includes Gold Note’s Enhanced option for further adjustment.

On the PH-1000 and PH-1000 LINE, four manually adjustable EQ presets allow for even deeper fine tuning.

Direct headphone listening

The built-in headphone output lets you listen directly from your turntable through the PH-1000. For late-night listening or a simplified vinyl setup, this gives you a short and direct signal path from record to cartridge to phono stage to headphones.

Fully analog signal path

Although the PH-1000 uses a modern display and Gold Note’s SKC single-knob control system, the audio signal path remains analog. The interface makes settings easier to adjust, while the music signal is handled through discrete analog components.

Upgradeable with Gold Note external components

The PH-1000 platform can be upgraded with Gold Note external power supplies and tube output stages. Compatible upgrades include the PSU-1000, PSU-1250, TUBE-1006 and TUBE-1012, allowing the phono stage to grow with the rest of your system.

Which version should you choose?

Choose the PH-1000 LITE if you want the core PH-1000 phono stage experience and do not need external loading, custom EQ memory presets or line preamp features.

Choose the PH-1000 if you want the full phono stage feature set, including higher MC gain, external load support, L/R swap and manually adjustable EQ presets.

Choose the PH-1000 LINE if you want the full PH-1000 feature set plus a Class A line preamp stage for connecting additional line-level sources.

Need help choosing the right PH-1000 version?

The PH-1000 family can be configured for very different systems. If you are unsure whether the PH-1000 LITE, PH-1000 or PH-1000 LINE is the right fit, contact us with your turntable, cartridge and amplifier setup. We can help match the right version to your system.

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