Audio Research PH-2 Phono Stage

It is very difficult to match the capacitors in the RIAA stage in order to achieve a fully differential and balanced configuration.

Also, the cartridge loading will be a pain, as it would need 2 resistors to load each side, also, theorectically, it will have double the noise compared to single-ended design.

If the Linestage is a true balanced, it should see no difference whether the phono stage is balanced or not.

As I understood it, the PH-2 was built to be matched with their current (at that time) linestage, the LS-5. The LS-5, in hindsight can be considered a bit rich/lush compared ot other designs (although it is a personal flavour thing), but since the LS-5 gave such magnificent air, soundstage, etc, matching it up with a neutral, quiet and extended at both ends, phono stage made sense for system synergy. I have had mine for years, going into a Reference 1 (and now a Reference 5) preamp, and have always loved its revealing and dynamic sound. (I do use a single ended MCP-2 head amp in front of it, for my Shelter 901). As for the merits of being balanced, a phono cartridge, by design is balanced, you have a hot and a cold for left and right, and then your (common) ground, so in the end, which is better (rca or XLR), comes down to design execution, which includes carefully matching parts. Blah, blah, blah. :D

My take on the PH-2, was that it was revealing and dynamic, which is just what I wanted in a phono stage when I bought it.

Rdr4b has it right, study the prices of the usedd gear you want, play with it, and if it is not your thing, flip it. If you look at the quest for your perfect sound as a journey (to be enjoyed along the way), and not just a destination, flipping the odd piece of gear here and there is part of the fun.

Please let us know what you get and how it works.

I have a ph2 in a fully balanced system all the way to the speakers. A truly remarkable piece. The comments above with respect to noise is not my experience. The fact that a fully balanced phono has common mode cancellation of noise explains my experience. True, you must load the mc cartridge for each of the positive and negative channels with soldered resistors. Clearly a pain. So if you are a cartridge reviewer, do not use the ph2. Glorious with Clearaudio DaVinci. ML 33 and ML 38 with plenty of gain to blow out the walls.