Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Audio Research, Inc. PH5 Phono Preamp by xronx

Model:	PH5
Category:	Phono Preamp
Suggested Retail Price:	$2000
Description:	Tube / Fet hybrid phono stage
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Research, Inc.
Manufacturer URL:	Audio Research, Inc.

Review by xronx ( A ) on May 21, 2006 at 08:12:42
IP Address: 83.169.154.251

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for the PH5

After being disappointet by the highly recommended ASR Basis Exclusive (to analytic, thin, artificial bass, missing musicality) i was going for tubes again (having an E.a.r. 834p as 2nd phono stage in my system). I compared the ARC PH5 with my E.a.r. and the ASR in the store (Tannoy canterbury, Manley 300b preamp, and Kronzilla monos). The ASR sounded as unsatisfying as in my system, the E.a.r. warm and liquid as usual. Then the PH5 had way better more natural bass then the ASR better tonal colors too. Beating the E.a.r. in precision in both bass and treble extension and precision. Therefore the E.a.r. has an unequaled midband sweetness especially with voices due to being noticably euphonic. The ASR on the other side is even more precice and dynamic than the PH5 but to the point of sounding artificial and clinical. I bought the PH5 and i´m still really happy so far. All other preamps i´ve compared it with since then couldnt beat it imho. Ok, the old Paragon preamp i bouht lately with it´s wonderful MM stage and a transformer is very close to the PH5 if not slightly better in terms of musicality and naturalness.

Product Weakness: just one input, no MM(even if the ARC suggests so), maybe too neutral for some
Product Strengths: musicality, warmth (but not dull), imaging, naturalness

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Gryphon Tabu Century
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Delta Dynamics 9.70, Kuzma Stogi ref., Stogi S, Benz Ruby 2, 3, Glider special
Speakers:	Cabasse Iroise 500
Cables/Interconnects:	Wireworld Equinox 3 NF, Black+White LS1202 Spkr.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Independent, Alternativ, Jazz
Room Comments/Treatments:	Bass absorbers
Time Period/Length of Audition:	purchased 1 year ago
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	industrial mains filter
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	just one input, no MM(even if the ARC suggests so), maybe too neutral for some
Product Strengths:	musicality, warmth (but not dull), imaging, naturalness