The PH9 phono preamplifier is a great pairing with most cartridge and turntable combinations. A trio of 6H30 vacuum tubes are at the core of a simple and clear signal path to provide the most transparent preamplification possible. Five different impedance settings allow for cartridge loading, which can be changed on the fly with the included metal remote. Cartridge impedance, tube hours, auto shutdown, and other features are included in the menu system.
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
±.2 dB of RIAA, 5 Hz to 20kHz; 1 dB points below 0.3Hz and above 80 kHz.
DISTORTION
Less than .015% at 3V RMS 1kHz output.
GAIN
55 dB at 1 kHz
INPUT IMPEDANCE
Selectable loads: 47k, 1000, 500, 200, 100 Ohms.
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
200 ohms. Recommended load 50k-100k Ohms and 100 pF. (10k Ohms
minimum and 2000 pF maximum).
OUTPUT POLARITY
Non-inverting.
MAXIMUM INPUT
80 mV RMS at 1kHz.
RATED OUTPUTS
0.5V RMS 10 Hz to 60 kHz, into 100K ohm load (maximum balanced output
capability is 0.46V RMS at less than 0.5% THD at 1kHz).
CONTROLS
6 Push Buttons: Power, Menu, Option, Enter, Input, Mute.
POWER SUPPLIES
Electronically regulated low and high voltage supplies. Automatic 2 minute
warm-up/brown-out mute. Line regulation better than .01%.
NOISE
>77 dB, shorted inputs.
TUBE COMPLEMENT
(3)-6H30P dual triodes, plus (1 each) 6550WE and 6H30P in power supply.
POWER REQUIREMENTS
100-125VAC 60Hz (200-250VAC 50/60Hz) 120 watts maximum. Standby: 2
watts.
DIMENSIONS
Width: 19” (48 cm)
Height: 6.5” (13.7 cm)
Depth: 13.7” (34.8 cm)
Handles extend 1.6” (4 cm) forward of the front panel.
Weight: 15.4 lbs. (7 kg) Net; 23.5 lbs. (10.7 kg) Shipping.
Combining a quintessentially sweet and powerful tube sound with a modern user interface – alongside a number of handy facilities – the Audio Research PH9 will catch the audiophile’s eye and ear. For purity of sound, it’s one of the finest phono stages around. more...
Here’s the bottom line, and I’m giving the punch line away early in the review. After living with the Foundation series for a few months now, they all deliver top of class performance, and each offers exceptional value, judged alone. more...