Audio Research PH-7

[jdandy]

I realize this phono stage preamp is not in the ARC Reference line, and has been replace by the ARC PH8, but would be interested in any feedback on this phono stage. It looks very nice.

All photos by drhifi.net.au

[jdandy]

A nice review in July '07 TAS. http://www.audioresearch.com/PH7-TAS...nt.6.11.07.pdf

[Jerome W]

Dan,
You're getting warmer !

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Dan,
You're getting warmer !

Jérôme.......I can see where you are going with this, so let me put it to bed early. The ARC REF 2 phono stage preamplifier at $12K isn't going to find a home in either of my systems. Yes, I am enjoying vinyl, but not to that level of investment. Thanks for the encouragement, but it isn't going to happen. I would sooner put $3K into a very good used phono stage and $9K into vinyl.

[jdandy]

The Audio Research PH7 phono preamp seems to be a highly respected phono stage. Are there any members who own this component of have had experience with it?

[oracle64]

I have enjoyed using the PH7 in my system for the last 3+ years. It replaced a PH5, and the improvement was dramatic. Larger soundstage and more textured would be the way I would describe the improvement. The only other phono stage I have have tried is internal to the C200, which sounded more solid state and less life like in comparison.

The only disadvantage I have found is that a selectable output gain would help in some situations. The PH7 has a fixed output of 57 dB, and this works for most cartridges. I had my dealer check with ARC, and they don't have a resister kit available to modify the output as the earlier mdels had. They recommended increasing the gain of the preamp if needed. The unit is very quit, and I have not had any problems using this approach.

I would highly recommend the PH7, and don't have any plans to replace it.

Let me know if you have any specific questions that I might be able to answer.

[f1 fan]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Jérôme.......I can see where you are going with this, so let me put it to bed early. The ARC REF 2 phono stage preamplifier at $12K isn't going to find a home in either of my systems. Yes, I am enjoying vinyl, but not to that level of investment. Thanks for the encouragement, but it isn't going to happen. I would sooner put $3K into a very good used phono stage and $9K into vinyl.

+1...

Dave

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

[jdandy]

oracle64.......Thank you for your response. I was reading a review in Sound Stage where Tim Aucremann states, "When I listened to music through the PH7 using the 0.5mV Shelter 901, I had to turn up the volume several clicks on my Conrad-Johnson ACT2 to obtain gain comparable to the (Pass) Xono’s output (set at 61dB). With its fixed gain of 57.5dB, the PH7 mandates use of an active line stage, and I’d be cautious about mating it with a moving-coil cartridge whose gain was much less than 0.5mV." This concerns me because my new Ortofon Cadenza Black moving coil cartridge is rated 0.3mV output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. Were I to use the ARC PH7 it would be with a McIntosh C2300 preamplifier. I would be able to use the trim function on the C2300 to raise the line input level, so this may not be an issue. Is this cause for concern using the PH7 with an MC cartridge of that low an output?

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Jérôme.......I can see where you are going with this, so let me put it to bed early. The ARC REF 2 phono stage preamplifier at $12K isn't going to find a home in either of my systems. Yes, I am enjoying vinyl, but not to that level of investment. Thanks for the encouragement, but it isn't going to happen. I would sooner put $3K into a very good used phono stage and $9K into vinyl.

We'll see Dan, we'll see.....
Don't worry, I won't talk to you anymore about the REF 2. Actually I did not mention it here. You did !
It is growing on you......

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by f1 fan

+1...

Dave

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

Dave,

This is because, like Dan, you have not heard what a top notch phono preamp can do to the sound.
Dan, I know that you heard the wonderful analog set up of Ivan, with a wonderful phono stage, but the table itself was a reference one so you were not able to appreciate its sole effect.
From my experience, a 3 to 5 k TT / arm and cart, paired with a 12 k phono stage like the Ref 2, sounds much much better to a 15k TT, paired with a 3 to 5k phono stage.
Dealers won't "push" in that direction for a simple reason : once you have a very expensive TT, you will buy a very expensive phono stage one day or the other. But when you get the phono stage first, then they know that they won't sell you anything more !
I have listened to 3 tables at around 15k lately in this configuration, but I won't give you publicly the brands and references, by respect to other members.
This story reminds me the old debate of the improvement that high end carts make over a DL103.
Of course they sound better. But just ask Serge what he's using now. and that's not because his wallet is empty, God bless !