Gold Note PH-1000 User manual

USER
MANUAL
PH-1000
PH-1000 LINE

Thank you for purchasing one of our units
and welcome into the Gold Note world,
where we turn High-End audio and music
into a new experience.
Maurizio Aterini,
founder of Gold Note

|
IMPORTANT SAFETY
| INFORMATIONS
the third prong are provided for your safety.
If the provided plug does not fit into
your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet. or
pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit
from the apparatus.
|Only use attachments/accessories specied
by the manufacturer.
|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.
|Unplug this apparatus during lightning
storms or when unused for long periods
of time. 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.
PLEASE NOTE
1 Do not disassemble any part of the
product.
2 Do not use any part of the product for
other purposes.
3 For service and problems of any kind,
contact qualified Gold Note personnel.
4 Protect the product from rain, humidity
and keep away from heat sources, electric
and electronic motors etc. The power
cord supplied must be used only on this
unit.
5 Gold Note does not have responsibility
for any improper use of this unit.
GENERIC INFORMATION
|Read these instructions and store them.
|Heed all warnings.
|Follow the instructions.
|Do not use this apparatus near water.
|Clean only with a dry cloth.
|Do not block the ventilation openings
and install in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
|Do not install near heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves or other
apparatus (including ampliers) that
produce heat.
|Do not defeat the safety purpose of
the polarised or grounding-type plug: a
polarised plug hastwo blades with one
wider than the other.
|A grounding type plug has two blades and
a third grounding prong. The wide blade or

This appliance has a serial number located on the rear panel.
Please record the model and serial number and retain them for your records.
MODEL
SERIAL NUMBER
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.
GOLD NOTE - Information on the correct management of waste from
household Equipment pursuant to the European Directive 2012/19/EU
The crossed-out wheelie bin symbol shown on the equipment or its packaging indicates that
the product, at the end of its useful life, must be collected separately from other waste to allow
its proper treatment and recycling. The user must therefore deliver, free of charge, the end-
of-life equipment to the centres for the separate collection of waste electrical and electronic
equipment, or return it to the dealer in accordance with the procedures established by the
legislation.
The appropriate separate collection of discarded equipment allows for proper recycling,
treatment and environmentally compatible disposal, helping to avoid the possible dispersion
of hazardous substances and negative effects on the environment and health, favouring the
reuse and/or recycling of the materials of which the equipment is composed of. Illegal dumping
of the product by the user involves the application of administrative sanction provided for by
the legislation in force. We invite you consult the current legislation and the measures adopted
by the public service operating in your country or territory.

| INDEX
| PACKAGE CONTENT
INTRODUCTION AND FEATURES 1
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 3
FRONT PANEL 5
REAR PANEL 6
SELECT FUNCTIONS 7
DISPLAY OVERVIEW 8
EQ CURVES 10
FIRMWARE UPDATE 12
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 12
TROUBLESHOOTING 13
RELATED PRODUCTS 15
1x
PH-1000
1x
AC CABLE
1x
USER
MANUAL
1x
REMOTE
CONTROL

1
THE MOST ADVANCED
PHONO STAGE
The PH-1000 is simply the best Phono Stage
we have ever created, a unique piece of
audio engineering designed to be innovative
in every possible way and 100% made in
Italy. Featuring Class-A exclusive discrete
components, a Class-A headphone output,
+40 EQ curves preset, 4 custom EQ curves
manually adjustable, and the high-quality
Class-A line preamp which comes as an
optional.
For the first time ever, you will be able to
play virtually any record the way it’s meant
to be thanks to more than 40 EQ curves
available, or even customise the EQ curves
manually by adjusting three main parameters
- that’s why the PH-1000 is a complete
game-changer, opening a new era in vinyl
reproduction.
PERFECT CARTRIDGE MATCHING
With 7 Gain and 12 Load levels, as well
as 6 Capacitance options dedicated to
MM cartridges, it is the ideal phono stage
for high-performance analogue systems,
capable of driving even the most exotic of
cartridges with perfect synergy, making the
PH-1000 a professional instrument for high-
end studio recording.
On top of that, you can change settings
and make ultra-fine adjustments, including
the EQ curve, on the go by simply using
the SKC and the display as you are playing
music. Our innovative technology allows
the best ease of use while preserving
entirely the sound quality as it works in the
analogue domain: the interface is digital and
independent from the audio path, which is
completely analogue. The result is an ultra-
low noise phono stage with high gain and no
audio filters.
All the functionalities are in fact managed
through discrete audio-grade components
and sealed single switches, always
shortening the signal path to deliver superior
audio quality and extract even the finest
details from the vinyl record. Powered by our
custom firmware, the PH-1000 can be easily
updated via computer when necessary.
MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY
The PH-1000 offers 3 independent inputs,
two RCA and one XLR. There are also 2
other inputs, one RCA and one XLR, that can
be used either for the external load plugs
for even finer control of the Load or as line
inputs on the PH-1000 with Preamp.
Add the other functionalities, such as the
Headphone Output, the Stereo/Mono
control with phase inversion, the L/R Channel
Swap and the Rumble Subsonic Filter and
here you have it, the most advanced phono
stage on the market.
HIGH-QUALITY COMPONENTS
The level of quality meets the highest
standard throughout the entire production:
from the aluminium ultra-solid chassis
machined with precision to the electronic
components and circuitry that undergo strict
QC computer-controlled tests.
| INTRODUCTION AND FEATURES

2
40+ EQ CURVES
RIAA, Capitol, Columbia/CBS, Deutsche
Grammophon, Decca London USA, Decca
London UK and Decca Mono 78rpm,
Epic, HMW, Mercury, RCA Victor, Philips,
Elektra, L’Oliseau-Lyre, Parlophone, and
more. Each curve can be “enhanced” with
our proprietary technology inspired by the
Neumann Cutting Lathe for superior dynamic
and musicality.
TOTAL CONTROL
The PH-1000 shows every detail on the
colour display powered by our proprietary
firmware. With the SKC [Single Knob Control
technology] and the display, you have an
intuitive system to easily control the phono
stage and quickly make fine-adjustments
without even interrupting the playback.
HEADPHONE OUTPUT
You can now enjoy the shortest audio path
ever with the PH-1000, your turntable and
your headphones - that’s all you need for
the audio signal to go from the vinyl directly
into your headphones without the need of
additional stages.
MODULAR DESIGN
For the most demanding audiophiles, the
PH-1000 can also be further enhanced with
our external power supply PSU-1250/PSU-
1000, or even the external tube output stage
TUBE-1012/TUBE-1006, to reach the highest
level of musical realism in terms of dynamic,
details, and imaging.

3
MAIN FEATURES
|Frequency response: 20Hz – 20KHz
|+20 EQ presets, 4 custom setups (innite
variable curves), all with “Enhanced” option
@ +/- 0.3dB max.
|THD (Total Harmonic Distortion): <0.01%
MAX
|Signal to noise ratio: -100dB
|Dynamic range: 110dB
|Output impedance: 50Ω
|Subsonic lter: 10Hz/36dB octave (ON/
OFF)
|Mono/Stereo: Stereo, Stereo 180°, Mono,
Mono 180°, Mono L
|Channel Swapping: R/L, L/R
|IR receiver for multifunctional remote
control
AUDIO OUTPUTS
|1x RCA
|1x XLR
|1x Output Stereo for Tube (balanced GN)
for optional TUBE-1012 & TUBE-1006
| TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
POWER
|Power supply:
Dual-Mono linear power supply 100-240V
with automatic selection
|Power consumption:
30W
|PSU Input for external power supply Gold
Note PSU-1250 & PSU-1000
AUDIO INPUTS
|2x RCA (0.1mV MC up to 8.0mV MM)
|1x XLR (0.1mV MC)
|Load: 12 options [100KΩ, 75KΩ, 47KΩ,
33KΩ, 22KΩ, 1KΩ, 470Ω, 220Ω, 100Ω,
47Ω, 22Ω,10Ω]
|Capacitance: OFF, 100pF, 150pF, 220pF,
330pF, 470pF, 1000pF
|Gain: 65dB MC, 40dB MM with 7 options
[-9dB, -6dB, -3dB, 0dB, +3dB, +6dB, +9dB]
RCA IN 1: PHONO stereo unbalanced
RCA IN 2: PHONO stereo unbalanced
RCA IN 3: EXTERNAL LOAD/LINE stereo
unbalanced (external load for ne
adjustment applied for RCA 2 only,
or line)
XLR IN 1: PHONO stereo balanced
XLR IN 2: EXTERNAL LOAD/LINE stereo
balanced (external load for ne
adjustment or line)

4
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Dimensions:
430mm W | 135mm H | 375mm D
630mm W | 350mm H | 600mm D - boxed
Weight:
Kg. 12 - net
Kg. 17 - boxed
FINISHES
Brushed Aluminium available in Black, Silver
or Gold
UPGRADES
|PSU-1250/1000 Ext. Inductive Power
Supply
|TUBE-1012/1006 Valve Output Stage
EQ CURVES
|20+ EQ Curve presets dedicated to Stereo,
Mono and 78rpm records, or Flat.
|4 manually adjustable EQ Curve setups
|Enhanced option ON/OFF (Neumann
Cutting Lathe)
6 CAPACITANCE LEVELS
OFF, 100pF, 150pF, 220pF, 330pF, 470pF,
1000pF to finely match any cartridge.
RUMBLE SUBSONIC FILTER ON/OFF
Reduces distortion at low frequencies and
prevents uncontrolled vibrations of the
drivers.
CLASS-A PREAMPLIFIER STAGE
The PH-1000 optionally comes with a pure
Class-A preamp stage, turning 1 RCA and
1 XLR into line stage inputs to be used with
other audio sources (DACs, Streamers, CD
players) for unprecedented versatility.

5
1
1
2
2
3
3
5
5
4
4
FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW
The PH-1000 shows every detail on the
colour display powered by our proprietary
firmware. With the SKC [Single Knob Control
technology] and the display, you have an
intuitive system to easily control the phono
stage and quickly make fine-adjustments
without even interrupting the playback.
| FRONT PANEL
Headphone output
LED: Standby (red), PSU Ext (green), ON (blue), OFF
Display
IR
SKC (Single Knob Control)

6
SERIAL NUMBER:
13
14
12
11
10
9
3
61
72
8
4
5
14
13
12
9
11
10
567 8
1 2 34
REAR PANEL OVERVIEW
The PH-1000 offers 3 independent inputs,
two RCA and one XLR. There are also 2
other inputs, one RCA and one XLR, that can
be used either for the external load plugs
for even finer control of the Load or as line
inputs on the PH-1000 with Preamp.
| REAR PANEL
EXTERNAL LOAD
To use the external load on the RCA inputs,
ensure to connect your turntable to RCA 2
and the external load to RCA 3.
To use the external load on the XLR inputs,
ensure to connect your turntable to XLR 1
and the external load to XLR 2.
POWER AND OTHERSANALOGUE INPUTS
RCA 3 and GND 3
(line or external load)
ANALOGUE OUTPUTS
XLR LineRCA 2 Phono and GND 2
Tube
XLR 1 Phono (MC only)
XLR 2 (line or external load)
RCA LineRCA 1 Phono and GND 1 USB-Mini (for firmware
updates only)
Master switch ON/OFF
IR
AC plug IEC standard
PSU IN
RS IN

7
SERIAL NUMBER:
TURNING ON/OFF PH-1000
Use the MASTER SWITCH on the rear panel
to power PH-1000: the STATUS LED will turn
ON to indicate that PH-1000 is in Standby.
Then push the Single Knob Control for three
seconds to activate the PH-1000: the STATUS
LED will turn blue.
| SELECT FUNCTIONS
Turn Master switch
HOW TO SELECT THE FUNCTIONS
1 Press the knob once to activate the
SELECTION FRAME.
2 Turn the knob left or right until the
desired function is highlighted by in white
then press the knob to select it.
3 The frame will turn red: now you can turn
the knob to change the function.
4 Press the knob again when the desired
value is set to confirm and exit the
selection.
Rear panel Front panel
Push once
3 seconds push
Turn left
or right to
highlight the
selection

CARTRIDGE SETTINGS
The PH-1000 shows all the settings on the
display - there are a number of features
that you can adjust to perfectly match your
cartridge and get the best out of your
records.
You can select the type of cartridge (MM or
MC), the gain, the load and the capacitance
when in MM mode.
| DISPLAY OVERVIEW
Load
100kΩ 75kΩ
47kΩ 33kΩ
22kΩ 1kΩ
470Ω 220Ω
100Ω 47Ω
22Ω 10Ω
EXT
Not for RCA 3 and
XLR 2
Capacitance
OFF 100pF
150pF 220pF
330pF 470pF
1000pF
Not for RCA 3 and
XLR 2
Cartridge
MM
MC
Empty if LOAD/LINE
Not for RCA 3 and
XLR 2
Gain
-9/+9dB
Not for RCA 3 and
XLR 2
PH-1000
The external load for the RCA inputs is taken
from RCA 3 and applies to RCA 2 only. For
the XLR input, it is taken from XLR 2.
PH-1000 LINE
These settings are not available on RCA 3
and XLR 2 which are dedicated exclusively to
the external load and the line preamplier.
8

9
| DISPLAY OVERVIEW
SETTINGS AND FEATURES
The other settings are dedicated to the
features of the PH-1000. You can change
inputs (RCA 3 and XLR 2 are available
only on the PH-1000 LINE), swap the L-R
channels, turn on/off the subsonic filter, and
select the Mono or Stereo mode.
You can also adjust the brightness of the
display. When turned off, use the knob to
temporarily activate it again.
Both the PH-1000 and the PH-1000 LINE
feature a the mute function that can be
selected from the menu. The LINE model
also displays the volume.
PH-1000 LINE
Thanks to the Class-A built-in preamplier,
the PH-1000 LINE features a volume control
so you can use the knob to adjust the
volume.
LR-Swap
ON/OFF
STEREO
S180°
MONO
M180°
MONO L
With headphones
MUTE
PHONES LO
PHONES HI
Volume setup
PREAMP
STAGE
MUTE
Input
RCA 1 (MC/MM)
RCA 2 (MC/MM)
RCA 3*
XLR 1 (MC only)
XLR 2*
*PH-1000 LINE only
Display
DISP
D50%
D25%
OFF
Input option
PHONO
LOAD (RCA 3/XLR 2)
LINE (RCA 3/XLR 2)*
*PH-1000 LINE only
Rumble
ON/OFF
Not for RCA 3 and
XLR 2
Volume
0-100
LINE

10
| EQ CURVES
EQUALISATION CURVE PRESETS
The PH-1000 lets you select the most
appropriate EQ curve for every record with
40 presets available. We included 18 of the
most common and widespread curves: such
as RIAA, Capitol, Columbia/CBS, Deutsche
Grammophon, Decca London USA, Decca
London UK, Decca Mono 78rpm, Epic,
HMW, Mercury, RCA Victor, Philips, Elektra,
l’Oliseau-Lyre and Parlophone.
The curves are realised exclusively with
analogue components as the whole circuitry
works in the analogue domain through
audio-grade switches that modify the audio
signal path.
Each curve can also be enhanced with
our proprietary design derived from the
Neumann Cutting Lathe project for superior
dynamic and high-frequency extension.
Order on device Order on device
Curve 1
Curve 2
Curve 3
Curve 4
Curve 7
Curve 5
Curve 8
Curve 6
Curve 9
Equalisation Equalisation
RIAA
Capitol
Columbia LP
NAB
DGG Teldec
AES
DGG IECN78
London LP
RCA 45
Curve 10
Curve 11
Curve 12
Curve 13
Curve 16
Curve 14
Curve 17
Curve 15
Curve 18
Old RCA
Telefunken
CCIR 78
Old Otrho.
American 78
Philips
FFRR 78
500-Flat
Blumlein300
EQ CURVES AVAILABLE
Enhanced
ON/OFF
Not for RCA 3 and
XLR 2
EQ Curves
+20 EQ Curves with
“Enhanced” mode

11
LIMITLESS CUSTOM CURVES
The ability to manually modify the curves
is an exclusive feature of the PH-1000.
Using analogue technology, we developed
a unique design that allows you to create
unlimited equalisation curves simply acting
on 3 parameters - Bass Turnover, Bass Shelf
and Treble Cut - as it’s the most effective way
to control and plot an equalisation curve.
There are 4 custom presets available that you
can edit using the dedicated menu.
Bass Turnover (Hz)
This parameter controls the frequency at
which the EQ curve reaches 3dB. You can
adjust the frequency from 200Hz to 800Hz
(for the RIAA standard EQ curve, this
parameter is 500Hz).
Bass Shelf (dB)
This parameter controls the gain at 10Hz
and it’s also called a “low frequency shelving
lter”, allowing you to adjust the gain from
+12dB to +20dB. It can also be set to N
which means it won’t affect the curve (for the
RIAA standard EQ curve, this parameter is
R= +20dB).
Treble Cut (dB)
Also known as the “10KHz gain roll-off”, this
parameter determines the cut at 10KHz and
can be adjusted from 0dB to -24dB (for the
RIAA standard EQ curve, this parameter is
-13.7dB).
Bass Turnover
200 250
300 350
400 500
600 630
700 800 Save
Save the new
customed curve on
the selected preset.
Cancel
Cancel the
customization.
Bass Shelf
X = +12dB
C = +14dB
A = +16dB
B = +18dB
R = +20dB
N = Null
EQ available
EQ 1
EQ 2
EQ 3
EQ 4
Treble Cut
0 -5
-5,5 -5,7
-6 -7
-8 -8,5
-10 -10,3
-10,5 -11
-12 -12,3
-12,7 -13,7
-15 -16
-18 -24
www.goldnote.it/download/
media/PH-1000_EQ_Card.
pdf
For the list of values to set the parameters please check:
| EQ CURVES

| FIRMWARE UPDATE
| WARRANTY AND SERVICE
WARRANTY
To validate the warranty it is necessary to
register the unit on the Gold Note internet
website within 15 days from the purchase on
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 cover in any case:
Tubes, Phono Cartridge Stylus 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.
We are constantly striving to deliver the best
user experience and audio quality with our
products, releasing new firmware updates is
part of our commitment.
Please keep your Gold Note unit updated
woth the latest firmware whenever
possible, that’s the best way to ensure
that your system is delivering the highest
performance.
Do not return any object directly to the
factory or to the distributor without being
authorised to do so.
In such cases both GOLD NOTE and the
distribution agents 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.
To check if there’s a new firmware version
available and to learn how to update your
unit, please scan the QR-Code and visit the
dedicated page on our website.
www.goldnote.it/update/ph-1000/
12

13
| TROUBLESHOOTING
PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION
Buzzing noise coming from
the loudspeakers.
|Try different placements
of the phono stage
and ensure that the
environment is not
affected by RFI/EMI.
Always use shielded
cables.
|The phono stage is
very sensitive to the
surrounding environment.
|The ground connector is
not connected correctly.
|Try to connect and
disconnect the cables and
ensure they are working
properly.
|The cables are not
connected properly.
|Always connect the
interconnect input to test
how the phono stage
performs.
|The listening volume is
very high while no music
is playing.
|High performance phono
stages will produce a
buzzing noise when the
volume is too high. It’s
normal when no music is
playing and with MC gain
selection.
|The tonearm and the
cartridge are not installed
properly.
|Check cartridge and the
tonearm.