Gold Note PH-1000 LITE Phono Preamplifier, Black

The Gold Note PH-1000 LITE is a phono preamplifier for MM and MC cartridges that offers the chassis, Class A outputs and operating concept of the PH-1000 at a considerably lower price. Gold Note hasn’t cut back on substance, but on features that only some analogue fans actually need. The black anodised aluminium front stays pleasantly in the background in the rack and lets your record collection take centre stage.

Why the PH-1000 LITE?

Because most record listeners want two things: a very quiet, clean gain path and enough adjustment to match their cartridge correctly. The LITE delivers both with two RCA inputs and one balanced XLR input, each separately set to MM or MC, 40 to 60 dB gain, twelve load settings on RCA, eight on XLR and seven capacitance steps. What’s missing is quickly listed: no inputs for external load resistors, no freely adjustable equalisation curves, no channel swap and no line stage – those are reserved for the PH-1000 and PH-1000 LINE.

What you hear

The same calm as its bigger siblings: 100 dB signal-to-noise ratio, below 0.01 % distortion and a fully analogue signal path from which the display control is cleanly separated. The 18 EQ curves, each with an additional “Enhanced” variant, also play mono rarities and pressings from before the RIAA standard correctly. The headphone output on the front is handy for late evenings when the rest of the house is already asleep. And because the valve output and power supply input are on the rear panel, you can expand later with TUBE-1006/1012 or PSU-1000/1250.

Who is the PH-1000 LITE for?

For vinyl listeners with one or two high-quality cartridges who want to make the leap into the reference class without paying for features they’ll never use. Straight talk: if you run very low-output MC cartridges around 0.1 to 0.2 mV, keep an eye on the 60 dB maximum gain – in that case the PH-1000 with 65 dB is the safer choice. We’re happy to work it out with you.

Our verdict

The PH-1000 LITE is the smartest way into the PH-1000 world: same chassis, same output stage, same operation – just without the special tools for collectors with three tonearms. Let’s be honest, how often do you actually adapt the equalisation to a single pressing? Exactly. If you’re unsure which version suits you, ask us: HD Zürisee in Wädenswil will advise you by phone on +41 44 680 22 00, via WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 or by email at shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Technical specifications

• Type: phono preamplifier for MM and MC cartridges, analogue signal path
• Phono inputs: 2× RCA (unbalanced), 1× XLR (balanced)
• Gain: 40 dB (MM) to 60 dB (MC), 7 steps (0, ±3, ±6, ±9 dB)
• Load impedance: 12 settings RCA (10 Ω to 100 kΩ), 8 settings XLR (10 Ω to 4.7 kΩ)
• Capacitance (MM): off, 100, 150, 220, 330, 470, 1000 pF
• Equalisation: 18 EQ curves, each with an Enhanced option
• Infrasonic filter: 10 Hz, 36 dB/octave, switchable
• Modes: stereo, stereo 180°, mono, mono 180°, mono L
• Outputs: 1× RCA, 1× XLR (Class A, max. 2.5 V RMS), 1× TUBE output for TUBE-1006/TUBE-1012
• Headphone output: yes (front)
• Output impedance: 100 Ω (unbalanced), 300 Ω (balanced)
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Total harmonic distortion (THD): < 0.01 %
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 100 dB
• Dynamic range: 110 dB
• Operation: Single Knob Control with colour display, IR remote control
• Power supply: dual-mono linear, 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz; input for external PSU-1000/PSU-1250 power supply
• Power consumption: 30 W
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 430 × 135 × 375 mm
• Weight: 12 kg
• Finish: black (anodised aluminium)

Frequently asked questions

What does the PH-1000 LITE lack compared with the PH-1000?

The LITE lacks the inputs for external load resistors, the four freely adjustable equalisation curves and channel swap; maximum MC gain is 60 instead of 65 dB. The chassis, Class A outputs, headphone output, the 18 EQ curves with Enhanced option and the upgrade path with an external power supply or valve stage are the same.

Is 60 dB of gain enough for my MC cartridge?

For most MC cartridges, yes. With 60 dB, an output of 0.3 mV becomes around 300 mV at the output, which most amplifiers handle without any problem. With very low-output cartridges around 0.1 to 0.2 mV it gets tight; then the PH-1000 with 65 dB is the safer choice. Send us the data sheet and we’ll gladly check.

Can I upgrade the PH-1000 LITE later?

Yes, with external components. The LITE has an input on the rear for the external PSU-1000 or PSU-1250 power supplies and an output for the TUBE-1006 or TUBE-1012 valve stages. Features such as the freely adjustable EQ curves or the line stage, on the other hand, are reserved for the PH-1000 and PH-1000 LINE models.

Can I connect headphones to the PH-1000 LITE?

Yes. The LITE also has a headphone output on the front, fed directly from the phono stage. Connect the turntable, plug in the headphones, done – no amplifier needed. If you use headphones that are very hard to drive, a separate headphone amplifier may be the better option; we’re happy to advise you.

Why buy the Gold Note PH-1000 LITE from HD Zürisee?

Because the choice between LITE, standard and LINE depends on your cartridge and listening habits, not on the data sheet alone. We find the right version with you, match it to your system and, thanks to our experienced team and our own technician, are there for you after the purchase too – for questions, service and later upgrades.

Goes well with

High-quality cartridges, tonearms and turntables pair well with the PH-1000 LITE. For later there are power supplies to upgrade, and for clean connections our phono cables.