One of the best buys in high-end audio just got better

Looking to make a major sonic leap in the world of vinyl? Check out the new AcousTech PH-1P! The PH-1P, designed and built by Ron Sutherland, has attained the coveted “Stereophile Class-A Rating” – big news for the vinyl lover. Other phono- stages that share this accolade are priced at more than double the AcousTech, with several models in the five-figure range!

According to Sam Tellig, who owns the PH-1 and has used it as his reference since its introduction:

"…the PH-1P gave me a welcome and worthwhile sonic improvement. The sound opened up. Highs became more extended. I heard more spatial resolution. I noted a small but significant gain in overall transparency, including better-defined bass… with either version of the PH-1, setting up for MM or MC is a breeze…"
-Stereophile, August 2002

Sutherland Engineering of Lawrence, Kansas, is pleased to announce a joint venture with Acoustic Sounds of Salina, Kansas. A common interest in advancing the enjoyment of vinyl records led to the manufacturing and distribution agreement. Although the compact disc has been marketed to the general public as "perfect sound forever," the most discriminating music lovers are increasingly turning to vinyl.

Sutherland Engineering has established a world-wide reputation for designing and crafting Instrument Grade amplifiers at the top of the high-end audio niche. Its clients have the privilege of enjoying the finest possible home music reproduction. At a price of nearly $25,000 for a complete 2000 series amplifier system, its ownership has been limited to the most dedicated and affluent music lovers.

Acoustic Sounds is recognized as the world's largest and most successful distributor of audiophile CDs and vinyl LPs. Their determined commitment to promoting the sonic advantages of vinyl has turned record production into a growing industry. To guarantee a quality product, Acoustic Sounds, along with Record Technology Incorporated, has developed its own record mastering facilities, AcousTech Mastering.

The joint venture had its beginning when Acoustic Sound's Chad Kassem, himself an owner of Sutherland amplifiers, and Ron Sutherland were enjoying a record listening session together. While Kassem was musing that he wished his vinyl customers could enjoy that level of performance, Sutherland was seeing a design challenge. Could a truly first-class phono preamplifier be built for less than $2,000?

By focusing on utility and performance, Sutherland designed the PH-1 phono preamplifier. Built to rigorous professional standards, its sound quality is unchallenged by units costing many times its $1,200 price. Initial production units are installed at AcousTech Mastering and RTI. In the professional studio environment, the PH-1s are used by engineers and producers to make critical decisions during mastering and while evaluating the sound quality of test pressings.

The AcousTech PH-1 was introduced to the press, overseas distributors, US retailers, and consumers at the 'HI-Fi '97' trade show in San Francisco. Initial orders from the show verified the strong consumer commitment and enthusiasm to 'spinning vinyl.' Shipments to the domestic and international consumer market began August 1, 1997.

There are jumpers located inside the unit, so that you can adjust for a gain of 61.5 db for any low output cartridges, and a gain of 42 db for any high output cartridges.

The R loading can also be adjusted for 47 K ohms or 100 ohms. If you have a unique R loading, there is an option that costs $10.00 for any other type of R loading that you may need.

The C loading can also be adjusted for 10,000 pF or 220 pF.

AcousTech, and any of the authorized AcousTech dealers, can set the jumpers for your specific cartridge. In other words, there is no limitations as to what cartridge can be used with the AcousTech PH-1.

The AcousTech PH-1 is overbuilt in reguards to sheilding and reliability.

The Function of the PH-1 Phono Preamplifier

The output from your turntable's cartridge is at a very low voltage level. To listen to records with a line-level preamplifier or an intergrated amplifier requires that the signal from the cartridge be amplified and equalized. Equalization makes tonal corrections, restoring frequency response to that of the original source material.

The PH-1 provides the added amplification and precise RIAA equalization, while preserving the musicality of the original performance. Its output level is suitable for the auxiliary (or other line-level) input of your preamplifier.

Applications for the PH-1 Phono Preamplifier

Adding a phono input to a line-level system. Because of the popularity of CDs, line-level home stereo systems have becaome standard. Line-level systems do not have an input for Phono. To add the enjoyment of vinyl playback will require the addition of a turntable (with arm and cartridge) and a PH-1 phono preamplifier.

Upgrading an existing phono system. The sonic advantages of the PH-1 can also benefit owners of preamplifiers with built-in phono preamplifiers. By transferring the phono preamplifiers function to the PH-1, the purity of low-level signals from your cartridge will be optimally preserved.