SMSL PH-1 Phono Preamplifier Review

[renaudrenaud]

The Fosi X5 won’t wake you up in the middle of the night — it’ll actually help you sleep better.

"We see ton of interference from USB connection. I almost gave up at this time but decided to use a USB adapter I had sitting around. That, produced far better results:"

Ironic communication.

Should be changed with something like "at SMSL, engineers have to much naps and not enough time spent on the product".

 

[Curupira]

Long live wall warts!

 

[nathan]

I might be missing something but it does not make sense to me to purchase a stand alone headphone amp, underperforming at that, and in doing so add clutter to your desk. There are so many well integrated options that include a SOTA DAC, such as the recently reviewed Topping DX5 II Smart DAC and balanced headphone amplifier.

That Topping does not contain a phono pre-amp. The unit in question in this review contains a phono pre-amp.

 

[Ropeburn]

Should be changed with something like "at SMSL, engineers have to much naps and not enough time spent on the product".

Actually, the engineers have no time per product designed because they're expected to churn out products at machinegun rate - an oldschool German machinegun firing at 1500ppa*. More naps could do them good.

*products per annum

 

[xanalog]

Actually, the engineers have no time per product designed because they're expected to churn out products at machinegun rate - an oldschool German machinegun firing at 1500ppa*. More naps could do them good.

*products per annum

Do we have any numbers and %increase in the SMSL engineering (and/or talent) pool?
Perhaps, it'd be best to not put down fellow 'engineers' (and/or workers) if they are doing 'good' for their economy and/or their society.

 

[JSmith]

Personally I like to see a more perfect implementation at higher cost so can't recommend the PH-1

Agree, but thanks for the testing anyway.

Pics;

JSmith

 

[xanalog]

I am confused: This is an SMSL product, which was send to you by Aoshida.

It strikes me funny that SMSL knowingly would publish such bogus/lame specs, as shown in post#2.
How could they have not known that their ploy was sure to be busted?

 

[amirm]

Amazing how much stuff is inside these bargain devices. I would guess that the finished cost should be in the order of $30. I don't know how the economics of that works.

 

[amirm]

I am confused: This is an SMSL product, which was send to you by Aoshida.

Products arrive from manufacturer but also sometime from their online sellers.

How could they have not known that their ploy was sure to be busted?

SMSL was not in the loop. Aoshida asked me if I wanted to test this and I said yes.

 

[Sokel]

Gear itself is meh, but its a golden opportunity to keep it as test piece for testing gear that claim to reduce PSU interference, etc.

Thanks Amir!

 

[Multicore]

I would call this "OK" and maybe even good for the money,

Ahem

'ART Precision Phono Pre Review'

Jun 14, 2022

This is a review and detailed measurements of the ART Precision Phono Pre. It was kindly drop shipped to me by a member and costs US $81.

The look reminds of Radio Shack equipment of 1970s! So outdated but I guess it keeps their costs down. You get variable gain which is handy together with a low cut rumble filter. Support is provided for both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges. Power is provided through a 9 volt AC transformer:

A bit of loading choice is provided in the back as well (25 vs 100 ohm).

ART Precision Phono Pre Measurements
As usual we...

• amirm
• Replies: 132
• Forum: Amplifiers, Phono preamp, and Analog Audio Review

• 

 

[Ropeburn]

Do we have any numbers and %increase in the SMSL engineering (and/or talent) pool?
Perhaps, it'd be best to not put down fellow 'engineers' (and/or workers) if they are doing 'good' for their economy and/or their society.

No putting down intended whatsoever. On the contrary I'm astonished they can release so much so quickly with so little flaws. I'm pretty sure they're working their arses off over there and wish they had it a bit easier, with more time per design.

 

[milosz]

I am. My routine is going to sleep at 3:00am and waking up by lunch time. Oh wait... it is 3:15 now. Well past my bedtime.

Very similar to my hours. We are rare chronotypes. A sign of genius, hahahaha

 

[A Surfer]

No. The evidence is quite clear, you can give up your sleep now, but there is very likely going to be a price paid down the road. There is no free lunch.

There are always exceptions, but adequate sleep matters. I am someone who used to brag about running on five hours of sleep for probably 3 decades straight. It is starting to catch up.