Monolithic Sound PS-1 Phono preamp [Template]

The PS•1 Phono Stage, Retail price $399.00 

 offers superb
sound quality & versatility at an affordable price. The internal design is
completely dual-mono, with a creative design to keep signal path components to
a minimum. Rear panel DIP switches are used to select settings for resistive
load, capacitance, gain and subsonic filter. This flexibility allows for use
with almost any line stage and MM/MC phono cartridge.

 

The HC-1B  Power
Supply.   retail price $279

The HC•1b Dual Mono Supply is
a high-performance upgrade for use with the PA•1

Two 1.5A transformers (one per
channel) are used to improve dynamics, bass control and imaging. Features
include detachable Input/Output AC cables and internally switchable input
voltage (115~230 volts).

Specifications:

AC Input Voltage: 115~230 Volts / 50~60 hz

AC Output Voltage: 2 x 16 Volts @ 1.5A

Size: 8.5" x 6" x 2.5"

Weight: 8 lbs

 

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. It’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
“dirtier” 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 don’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.

PS-1

Phono Stage

Thank you for purchasing the
Monolithic PS-1

Phono Stage. Please read the
following before making any connections to your audio

system.

Overview

The PS-1 is a versatile

phono stage, compatible with most
moving-magnet and moving-coil

phono cartridges. Rear panel

DIP

switches allow selection of four
gain settings, four impedance settings, three capacitance settings and a
switchable subsonic filter.

Configuration

The PS-1 comes preset to

low gain, 47k impedance, no
capacitance and subsonic filter “on”. Refer to the paperwork supplied by your

phono cartridge manufacturer before
making selections. Once the load impedance has been set, connect the signal
cables from your

turntable to the L/R input jacks of
the PS-1. If your turntable has a ground wire, secure it to the ground lug
located next to the input

jacks. Next, insert a pair of cables
between the output jacks of the PS-1 and the desired input of your
preamplifier/receiver. Last,

connect the AC power supply. Once
these connections have been made, it’s time to give it a listen. If the volume
level is too low, you

may increase the gain by referring
to the examples below.

Switch Settings

1. Subsonic Filter: up = “on”, down
= “off”

2-4. Load Impedance: all up = 47k, 2
down = 10k, 3 down = 1k, 4 down = 100 ohms

5, 6. Capacitance: 5 down = 100pf, 6
down = 270pf, 5 & 6 down = 370pf

Gain Settings

( switches 7, 8 )

Low Med. Med./

High High

Examples

Subsonic =

on Subsonic = off Subsonic = on
Subsonic = off

47k, Low

Gain 10k, 100pf, Med. Gain 1k,
270pf, Med./Hi Gain 100 ohms, 370pf, Hi Gain

 

Owners Manual

 

http://www.monolithicsound.com/ps1.pdf