Gold Note PH-1000 Phono Stage | Reference Phono Preamplifier

The most versatile and capable phono preamplifier Gold Note has ever produced — fully handcrafted in Florence, Italy.

The Gold Note PH-1000 is a reference-level phono preamplifier that represents the very pinnacle of Italian audio engineering. Designed without compromise and built entirely in Florence, the PH-1000 addresses every variable in vinyl playback — from cartridge matching to EQ curve selection — within a single, elegantly resolved chassis. Whether you are building a serious analogue system for the first time or refining a long-established setup, the PH-1000 warrants serious consideration. To arrange a demonstration at our Norwich showroom or to discuss how the PH-1000 might integrate into your system, please call us on 01603 627010 or email info@martinshifi.co.uk.

Key Features

• Over 40 EQ curves including RIAA, Capitol, Columbia/CBS, Deutsche Grammophon, Decca London USA, Decca London UK, Decca Mono 78rpm, Epic, HMW, Mercury, RCA Victor, Philips, Elektra, L'Oiseau-Lyre and Parlophone — each with an Enhanced option inspired by the Neumann Cutting Lathe for superior dynamics and resolution.
• Four customisable EQ presets allow manual adjustment of three parameters, enabling near-infinite curve configuration for unusual or pre-RIAA recordings.
• 14 gain levels and 12 load levels, plus 7 capacitance options for MM cartridges, providing precise cartridge matching across the full range of moving magnet and moving coil designs.
• Three independent inputs — two RCA and one balanced XLR — with two additional inputs (RCA and XLR) usable either for external load connections or as line inputs on the PH-1000 LINE variant.
• Class A headphone output enabling a direct, shortest-path connection from turntable to headphones, with no additional amplification required in the signal chain.
• Stereo/Mono switching with phase inversion, L/R channel swap and a 10Hz/36dB subsonic rumble filter — a level of operational control rarely found outside professional studio environments.
• Modular and upgradeable — compatible with the Gold Note PSU-1250 or PSU-1000 external power supplies and the TUBE-1012 or TUBE-1006 valve output stages for those wishing to develop the system further over time.

Technology & Design

The PH-1000's defining characteristic is that its interface and audio path are entirely independent of one another. All settings — gain, load, capacitance, EQ curve — are managed through discrete audio-grade components and sealed single switches operating in the analogue domain, while the control interface operates digitally and in isolation from the audio signal. The result is an ultra-low noise floor (signal-to-noise ratio of 100dB), total harmonic distortion below 0.01%, and a dynamic range of 110dB, with no audio filters in the signal path. The Single Knob Control (SKC) system and colour display allow all parameters to be adjusted in real time during playback, without interrupting the music. The precision-machined aluminium chassis undergoes stringent computer-controlled QC testing throughout production, and the firmware can be updated via computer to ensure the unit remains current. Available in black, silver or gold anodised aluminium finishes.

Listening Experience

What distinguishes the Gold Note PH-1000 in extended listening is the degree to which it removes itself from the process. The combination of an ultra-low noise floor, class A output stages and correctly applied EQ curves produces a presentation that is unhurried and composed — textures in the midrange emerge with real weight, low-frequency detail is controlled rather than prominent, and the top end extends cleanly without edge. The ability to switch between historically accurate EQ curves for pre-RIAA recordings is not merely a technical convenience; on older pressings the difference is considerable, restoring balance and natural timbre that standard RIAA playback cannot recover. Pair the PH-1000 with a well-matched cartridge from the Gold Note range or a turntable cartridge from our wider selection, and analogue playback takes on a completeness that is genuinely difficult to improve upon.

Technical Specifications

The Gold Note PH-1000 is available to hear in our Norwich showroom as part of a full analogue demonstration. If you would prefer to assess it at home, our home evaluation service is available across Norfolk and the wider East Anglia region. To discuss your requirements or arrange an audition, please call 01603 627010 or email info@martinshifi.co.uk.

Meta Description: Gold Note PH-1000 phono stage at Martins Hi-Fi Norwich. 40+ EQ curves, Class A outputs, 14 gain levels. Expert demo available in Norfolk. Call 01603 627010.