For sale here is a very nice amplification package. I started down the analog upgrade path with this but but got distracted and got new speakers.The PS•1 Phono Stage 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 Dual Mono Supply is a high-performance upgrade for use with the PS•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 actually is 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 dip switches 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 a 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 actually know but I guess it helps to amplify the cartridge signal first hand before letting this signal hits the rest of the chain.
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.
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