Gold Note PH-1 User manual

Italian Music Experience
OWNER’S MANUAL
PH-1
MM & MC PHONO PREAMPLIFIER

1
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
This appliance has a serial number located on the rear panel.
Please record the model and serial number and retain them for your records.
Serial Number:
Model:
Do not disassemble any part of the product.
Do not use any part of the product for other purposes.
For service and problems of any kind, contact qualied Gold Note personnel.
Protect the product from rain and humidity and keep away from heat sources, electric and electronic motors etc.
The power Chord supplied must be used only on this unit.
Gold Note does not have responsibility for any improper use of this unit.
CAUTION!
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER ONLY TO QUALIFIED GOLD NOTE SERVICE PERSONNEL FOR SERVICE
WARNING!
TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE

2
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
1. Read these instructions and store them.
2. Heed all warnings.
3. Follow the instructions.
4. Do not use this apparatus near water.
5. Clean only with a dry cloth.
6. Do not block the ventilation openings and install in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
7. Do not install near heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves or other apparatus (including ampliers) that
produce heat.
8. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarised or
grounding-type plug: a polarised plug has two blades with
one wider than the other.
A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding
prong.
The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety.
If the provided plug does not t into your outlet, consult an
electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
9. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched
particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point
where they exit from the apparatus.
10. Only use attachments/accessories specied by the
manufacturer.
11. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table
specied by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus.
When a cart is used, use caution when moving the
cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
12. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when
unused for long periods of time.
13. Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel only.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged
in any way (such as when the power cord or plug is damaged,
liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the
apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or
moisture) and in any case when the apparatus does not
operate normally or has been dropped.

INTRODUCTION & SPECIFICATIONS
3
The Gold Note PH-1 is a high performance convenient MM & MC phono preamplier featuring Ultra Linear
Power Supply.
The design developed for the PH-1 allows matching easily any kind of MM and MC cartridge with a wide
option of set up with easy access impedance setting and true balanced design output connectors.
The PH-1 enables superior audio purity with any audio system featuring an optional external super
Power Supply (PSU).
SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz at +/-3dB
THD – Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.05% THD at 20Hz-20kHz Gain: >65dB MC – >48dB MM
Signal to Noise ratio: -88dB
Analogue input: one stereo RCA
Input sensitivity: from 0.15mV MC – up to 6.0mV MM
Input impedance: 470ΩMC variable – 47KΩMM xed
Audio out: stereo RCA
Line output level: 2V RCA xed
POWER
Mains supply: 100/115/230V, 50/60Hz, depending on market destination and not convertible
Power supply: Ultra Linear
Power consumption: 20W max
PHYSICAL
Dimensions: 100mm L x 105mm H x 260mm D
Total weight: 3.5 kg

4
TECHNICAL INFO & OPTIONS
OPERATING CONDITIONS
Once the PH-1 has been correctly wired and positioned on a solid shelf it is ready to play.
The PH-1 has been designed for use in Hi-Fi systems in sheltered locations. It ought therefore to be protected from any
eventual variations in temperature and humidity. Avoid to use the unit close to radiators or other strong heat sources,
electrical and electronic motors, switched on mobile phones etc.
The location in proximity of other audio components is not theoretically critical, but you should nevertheless pay attention to
this.
In any case, take care to unplug completely the unit every time you need to move it, or to move the turntable on which it is
matched.
PH-1 GAIN & LOAD
The PH-1 should be purchased set up already as per user needs concerning both Gain and Load.
It is anyway possible vary the PH-1 Gain from MM to MC.
It is also possible vary the load impedance on this unit.
Because to do that is necessary to remove the cover of the unit we suggest to contact the local Gold Note® distributor to avoid
of warranty invalidity.
Once the cover is removed it is possible to access the DIP SWITCH with 4 Micro-Switches underneath two black Chokes.
The Micro-Switches 1 & 4 can vary the Gain of the unit: setting the Micro-Switches towards the NUMBERS SIDE the PH-1
operates in MM mode; while setting the Micro-Switches towards the ON SIDE the PH-1 operates in MC mode.
The Micro-Switches 2 & 3 are able to vary the load impedance of the unit: with the Micro-Switches towards the NUMBERS SIDE
the PH-1 operates with a x 47K
Ω
(right for all MM cartridges); with Micro-Switches towards the ON SIDE the PH-1 operates
with a 470
Ω
(default) or changing the resistors (optional) with the unit with a specic load as requested by the user

5
PANNELLO POSTERIORE
L
R
L
R
ON/OFF MASTER SWITCH RCA L/R
ANALOGUE AUDIO OUT
RCA L/R
ANALOGUE AUDIO IN
AC IEC POWER PLUG
WITH FUSE (500MA) PSU-1 INPUT
EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY
GND GROUND

6
WARRANTY & SERVICE
WARRANTY
To validate the warranty is necessary to register the unit on the Gold Note internet web site within 15 days from the purchase on the
appropriate area of the web site:
www.goldnote.it/warranty
If the unit is not registered correctly or has been purchased from a different country of the purchaser home address the unit will not be
covered by any warranty and the registration will be refused.
The warranty does not does not cover in any case: Tubes, Phono Cartridge Styli and Batteries.
SERVICE
Every GOLD NOTE® product is the result of meticulous technological research, and consequently their correct functioning is guaranteed.
In spite of this it is possible that problems may emerge which non-specialist users cannot resolve.
In this case, contact your dealer to be advised on how the fault can be solved.
Do not return any object directly to the factory or to the national distributor or without being authorised to do so.
In such cases both GOLD NOTE® and the distribution agents operating within your territory decline responsibility of any kind.
For more information please visit www.goldnote.it/service
PLEASE NOTE
Descriptions and technical characteristics may vary at any time and without notice.

7
FAQ
HOW TO ADJUST IT
For spare parts visit the ofcial Gold Note store at:
http://www.akamaiaudio.it/
ACTION
DESCRIPTION
MATCHING THE CARTRIDGE
CLEANING THE PHONO STAGE
The MC & MM cartridges may
need a specic Gain and Load
impedance adjustment.
The Phono Stage is dirty and
needs to be cleaned
Refer to page 4 of this manual MM to set up properly
both the MM or the MC cartridge.
With EXTREME care use ONLY pure alcohol and a
very soft 100% cotton cloth to sweep dust and stains
out.
Any acid or not extremely soft cloth will irreversibly
damage the Phono Stage ne aesthetic.
Do not use any alcohol to clean the Phono Stage
anodized label, or printed parts.
Only dry cloth is allowed

8
TROUBLESHOOTING
SYMPTOM DESCRIPTION CAUSE REMEDY
SPEAKER HUMMING
PROBLEMS
The speakers hum
when the Phono
Stage is connected to
the system
The Phono Stage is very
SENSITIVE to house environment
positions.
Be sure the position chosen is
compatible with the Phono Stage.
Try to plug or to unplug the ground
connector always nding the best
solution of your audio system.
The Electrical loops created by the
ground connection needs to be tried.
The “open” input of the Phono Stage
may strongly hum. Always connect the
Input Interconnect to test the Phono
Stage.
Any phono stage designed to achieve
good sonic performances hums a bit
when the volume of the amplifier is
high. That is normal and strongly
noticeable especially without music
and with MC gain unit selection.
Install them well. Eventually a tone
arm cable problem can occur; please
check other ways out
Be sure to always use shielded cables
for Phono Stage connections.
Connect it being sure that the AC wall
plug works
Connect them properly
Substitute the fuse with one of the
same value.
Be sure you selected the right Input
of the amplifier
The Ground connector is not
plugged.
The Phono stage Input
Interconnect are not plugged.
The listening volume is very
high.
The tone arm and cartridge are
not properly installed
The interconnect input and/or
output cables are not shielded.
The AC Phono Stage plug is
disconnected from the AC wall
plug
The interconnect cables are not
properly connected to the Phono
Stage.
The fuse is blown
PHONO STAGE (THE)
DOES NOT WORK WHEN
THE PHONO STAGE IS
SWITCHED ON

9
NOTE

10
NOTE

Italian Music Experience
www.goldnote.it