Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Monolithic Sound PS-1 Phono Preamp by Heidi2000

Model:	PS-1
Category:	Phono Preamp
Suggested Retail Price:	$399
Description:	MM/MC Phono Stage
Manufacturer URL:	Monolithic Sound
Model Picture:	View

Review by Heidi2000 ( A ) on December 06, 2004 at 10:53:09
IP Address: 129.33.168.34

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for the PS-1

I have been using this unit in conjunction with the HC-1b for about 3 years. For what its worth, here is my impression of this setup.
The choices you have with the Monolithic are:
- Loading Resistance (4 options): 47K, 10K, 1K and 100 ohms
- Capacitance (3 options): 100 pf, 270 pf and 370 pf
- Gain (4 options): 26 dB, 35 dB, 44 dB and 53 dB
- Subsonic Filter (2 options): ON/OFF
The idea is here to obtain a line level electrical signal that is as closely resembles the source as possible, and the source is the contact point between the cartridge and the record surface.
There are a variety of factors that can affect this ultimate line level signal. Among them are: the four conditions from above, the electricity coming out from the wall outlet, the power cord connecting the wall outlet to the power supply (HC-1b), the interconnect that connects the HC-1b to the PS1, and ultimately the interconnect that connects the line level signal to your line level pre-amp.
An interesting point here is that most power supplies are expensive, yet the HC-1b is priced lower than the PS1 and the HC-1b weight twice as much as the PS 1. Thus, if you have the PS 1 there is no reason for you not to get the HC-1b to go with it. Itâ€™s well worth it.
Most users with this setup will probably not optimizing what this combo had to offer. First, you need to correctly setup the dipswitches from above. Most users understand this, except the Gain options. A misconception here is the lower the gain, the better the quality of the sound. Although this statement is correct per se, it is not correct with regards to the whole setup chain. There is a trade off here: at lower gain levels, you will get a quieter sound but at the expense of losing some details at the cartridge output. At higher gain settings, you will get slightly better details at the cartridge output, but at the expense of â€œdirtierâ€ electrical contamination. This is why it is paramount that you buy the HC-1b power supply if you own the PS 1. Why is the higher gain gives you more details? I donâ€™t know but I guess it helps to amplify the cartridge signal first hand before letting this signal hits the rest of the chain. It also appears that a tiny improvement you can make to the setup will increase the quality of the line level signal a lot. For example, when I use the stock power cord that comes with the HC-1b to connect the unit to the wall outlet, I noticed higher distortion at 53-db level. When I replaced the stock power cord with the PS audio Xtreme Plus, I get the best of both world, quieter sound and with the unit set at maximum gain without distortion.
What my final impression of the monolithic is, if everything is setup right, you should get a line level source that is natural and smooth, with very deep, tuneful bass extension that is un-matched at this price point. Soundstage is wide and deep, overall you will enjoy a relaxing listening experience with the Monolithic combo.

Product Weakness: Understanding the proper setup.
Product Strengths: Natural sounds all around.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Bryston 14B ST
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	McIntosh C42
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Rega Planar 9
Speakers:	Definitive Technology BP3000tl
Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber KCAG
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Understanding the proper setup.
Product Strengths:	Natural sounds all around.