Gold Note PH-1 User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL
PH-1
Italian MM & MC Phono Preamplifier

OWNER’S MANUAL page 1
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR
BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the
user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that
may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence
of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying
the appliance.
This appliance has a serial number located on the rear panel.
Please record the model and serial numbee and retain them for
your records.
Serial Number: Model:
WARNING
TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE
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 qualified 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

OWNER’S MANUAL page 2
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
1Read these instructions.
2Keep these instructions.
3 Heed all warnings.
4 Follow all instructions.
5 Do not use this apparatus near to any water.
6 Clean only with dry cloth.
7Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions.
8Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that
produce heat.
9 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or ground-
ing-type plug. A polarized 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 provid-
ed for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your
outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete
outlet.
10 Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched
particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point
where they exit from the apparatus.
11 Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufac-
turer.
12 Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table
specified 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.
13 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when
unused for long periods of time.
14 Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is
required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way,
such as power-supply 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, does not operate
normally, or has been dropped.
• Do not expose this apparatus to drips or splashes.
• Do not place any objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on
the apparatus.
• Do not install this apparatus in a confined space such as a
book case or similar unit.
• The apparatus draws nominal non-operating power from the
AC outlet with its POWER or STANDBY/ON switch not in the ON
position.
• The apparatus should be located close enough to the AC
outlet so that you can easily grasp the power cord plug at any
time.
• The main plug is used as the disconnect device, the discon-
nect device shall remain readily operable.
• If the product uses batteries (including a battery pack or
installed batteries), they should not be exposed to sunshine, fire
or excessive heat.
• Caution should be taken when using earphones or head-
phones with the product because excessive sound pressure
(volume) from earphones or head- phones can cause hearing
loss.

OWNER’S MANUAL page 3
INTRODUCTION & SPECIFICATIONS
The Gold Note PH-1 is a high performance convenient MM & MC phono preamplifier 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
Audio inputs
Analogue input: one stereo RCA
Input sensitivity: from 0.15mV MC – up to 6mV MM
Input impedance: 470ohm MC variable – 47Kohm MM fixed
Audio outputs
Audio out: stereo RCA
Line output level: 2V RCA fixed
Power
Mains supply: 100/115/230V, 50/60Hz, depending on market destination and not convertible
Power supply: Ultra Linear
Power consumption: 20W max
Upgrades
External PSU: PSU-1 External Inductive Power Supply Unit
Other: Gold note Lucca power cord
Physical
Dimensions: 100mm L x 105mm H x 260mm D
Total weight: 3.5 kg

OWNER’S MANUAL page 4
TECHNICAL INFO AND OPTION
OPERATING CONDITIONS
Once the PH-1 has been correctly wired and posi-
tioned 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 protect-
ed 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 turnta-
ble 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 oper-
ates 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 fix
47Kohm (right for all MM cartridges); with
Micro-Switches towards the ON SIDE the PH-1 oper-
ates with a 470ohm (default) or changing the resistors
(optional) with the unit with a specific load as request-
ed by the user.
PSU-1
EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY UNIT
(Optional)
The PH-1 maybe set up even with an optional external
Power Supply Unit (PSU-1) via the DIN connector pres-
ent on the back panel.
The PSU is a large inductive power supply decouple the
PH-1 from the AC completely for uncompromised
sound performance.

OWNER’S MANUAL page 8
REAR PANEL
OWNER’S MANUAL page 5
I
O
RCA Unbalanced Left-Right
Analogue Audio IN
RCA Unbalanced Left-Right
Analogue Audio OUT
L
R
L
R
GND Ground
External PSU-1 Input
IEC PLUG with FUSE - 100 -240 Volt - 50/60Hz
with 500mA fuse
ON/Off Master Switch

OWNER’S MANUAL page 6
WARRANTIES
WARRANTIES REGISTRATION
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: http://www.goldnote.it/
If the unit is not registered correctly or is been purchased from a different coun-
try of the purchaser origin/home the unit will not be covered by any warranty
and the eventual registration refused.
The warranty does not does not cover in any case: Tubes, Phono Car-
tridge Styli and Batteries.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
All GOLD NOTE® products are 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 who will advise you on how to resolve the prob-
lem.
Do not return any object directly to the factory or to the national distributor or
without being authorized to do so. In such cases both GOLD NOTE® and the
distribution agents operating within your territory decline responsibility of any
kind.
Please Note: Descriptions and technical characteristics may vary in any
moment without notice.

OWNER’S MANUAL page 7
FAQ
FAQ
ACTION DESCRIPTION HOW TO ADJUST IT
MATCHING THE CARTRIDGE
CLEANING THE PHONO STAGE
The MC & MM cartridges may
need a specific Gain and Load
impedance adjustement.
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.
For spare parts visit the official Gold Note store at:
http://www.akamaiaudio.it/
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 fine
aesthetic.
Do not use any alcohol to clean the Phono
Stage anodised label, or printed parts. Only
dry cloth is allowed

OWNER’S MANUAL page 8
SYMPTOM DESCRIPTION CAUSE REMEDY
SPEAKER HUMMING
PROBLEMS
PHONO STAGE (THE)
DOES NOT WORK WHEN
THE PHONO STAGE IS
SWITCHED ON
The Phono Stage is very SENSITIVE
to house environment positions.
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
The speakers hum
when the Phono
Stage is connected
to the system
Be sure the position chosen is compati-
ble with the Phono Stage.
Try to plug or to unplug the ground
connector always finding 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 espe-
cially 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
Be sure you selected the right Input of the
amplifier
Substitute the fuse with one of the same value
TROBLESHOTING

OWNER’S MANUAL page 9
USER NOTE

OWNER’S MANUAL page 10
USER NOTE

Via della Gora, 6
Montespertoli (Florence) Italy 50025
Tel. + 39 0571 675005
Fax. + 39 0571 675013
www.goldnote.it