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New Gold Note PH 10

I had posted a question a while ago about hearing from anyone with experience comparing the Gold Note PH 10 vs. the Bryston BP2 or Clear Audio Smart V2 phono preamps.  I never heard anything back about this subject, so I decided to just simply purchase a new PH 10 and compare it against my Clear Audio preamp.  

First impressions:  As much as I love my Clear Audio Smart V2 and in particular its sound stage and imaging qualities, I have to say that the PH 10 was considerably better at detail and picking out the instruments, especially the low and mid range ones.   The Clear Audio seemed to be a little better at the upper end imaging and the sound stage.  But keep in mind this was with the PH 10 new right out of the box.

I was told the PH 10 needs at least 50 hours of run in time to open up, so I used it for two nights and left it on for several days.  After allowing it to settle in and enjoying a lot of music, I still thought the Clear Audio had a leg up on it in the sound stage/imaging department.   So I decided to listen to a well known record to me with excellent recording and a lot of dynamic range on the PH 10, then switch the wires over to the Clear Audio (which I had not heard in several days by this time), and replay the record.   YIKES!!!  it was like a blanket was draped over my speakers.  I had become so gradually accustomed to the new PH 10 that I had not noticed the slight changes going on with the break in.  When the Clear Audio was swapped back into the system (it took me about a minute to do this), it was night and day the differences.

The PH 10 was by far a much more detailed, pronounced signature with a superior sound stage and the imaging was hands down better.  I am using it with the Audio Technica AT20ss vintage MM cartridge which has an extraordinary frequency range of 5-50K hz, so I was able to take advantage of the Enhanced RIAA curve the PH 10 has.  It is pretty outstanding.   Make sure you break things in!   I love this phono preamp.
128x128slimpikins5
slimpikins5's avatar
slimpikins5 OP
191 posts
 
@lohanimal 
The PS.02 from what I have read is a really nice entry level unit from Whest.  It is probably similar to the Whest Three only it has a one box approach vs. the dual chassis design of the Three.  I know that with each step up in the Whest line, you get a corresponding increase in detail and response.  The Three is definitely a step up from the PS.02, but when you get into the realm of a late version PS.30 RDT SE or even higher, such as the PS.40 RDT, things really take on another level of incredible detail, response and amazing realism.  If you ever have the opportunity and stumble upon one of these preamps, you should bring it in to try against what you are currently using.    
lohanimal
659 posts
 
@slimpikin - you're confused with the Whest 0.20 and the whest two. Mine is their first 2 box phono stage. The two is actually a lower model. James Henriot is a very nice guy - very very knowledgable. Part of the reason you never see reviews is due to the Stereophile debacle when Micheal Fremer said the Ps 0.2 bettered his Manley Steelhead and had shades of the Boulder about it - realising that his mates at Manley had their noses put out of joint he made a disparaging review comparing it to a Graham Slee. Trust me i've heard the Manley, and the Graham Slee in question - his original review was the truth. The Whest is exceptionally fast and 3d in sound with real solidity. It comes about by an all discrete circuit - it's not an IC design like the Tom Evans Groove which was an exhausting listen in my system. My only gripe with the Whest is that it doesn't have a version/option for multiple inputs.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I'm still with Gold Note PH-10 with PSU-10
Any more users of Gold Note here ? 
rsf507
2,223 posts
 
Still using PH10 
slimpikins5's avatar
slimpikins5 OP
191 posts
 
Ah lohanimal, thanks for the update.  I am not familiar with your particular Whest, so I assumed it was the single chassis version.

I must say that I have spent quite a bit of time reading the customer reviews on the Whest Audio site and that has been enlightening. There are hundreds of reviews in which each the buyer compares whatever version Whest they have purchased against another phono stage they have been using.   It's interesting to read how each person gives defined opinion on the differences. 
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