Phono Preamplifiers

The PH9 phono preamplifier is a great pairing with most cartridge and turntable combinations.

A trio of 6H30 vacuum tubes are at the core of a simple and clear signal path to provide the most transparent preamplification possible.

Five different impedance settings allow for cartridge loading, which can be changed on the fly with the included metal remote. Cartridge impedance, tube hours, auto shutdown, and other features are included in the menu system.

The PH9 forms an integral part of our reference system and sits alongside the Audio Research Ref 6 preamp and 160M Monoblocks that power the Sonus Faber Aida 2s.

We currently run the exceptional Acoustic Signature Ascona Mk3 Turntable with this system.

The van den Hul Grail phono stage is a product where everything has been put into the sonic performance - better instrument separation and better mid and high. The ‘normal’ Grail is single ended only, with RCA and XLR inputs and outputs. The van den Hul “The Grail SB” takes it to another level as one of the most innovative and advanced phono preamplifiers available. The most distinctive part of The Grail SB is the RIAA correction circuit that uses coils instead of resistors and capacitors

When Audio Research was founded in 1970, analog vinyl playback was the de facto music source of the time. Audio Research has either incorporated or built stand-alone phono stages since the very beginning and has continuously provided phono preamplification, even during the height of digital music.

The Reference Phono 3SE is the next great advancement in analog playback and represents a new benchmark. The knowledge gained in the creation of Audio Research’s award-winning Reference 160-series amplifiers has transitioned to both Reference preamplifiers. The Reference Phono 3SE continues the upgrades introduced in the Reference 6SE line-stage, including a number of new, ultra-high-quality parts judiciously incorporated into its design and ushering in a new level of sonic accuracy and musicality.

Due to the extremely low-level nature of the signals involved in a phono stage, the component and wiring upgrades incorporated in the Reference Phono 3SE combine to create a startling advancement in performance. The improvements heard immediately include enhanced resolution at all levels, greater purity and focus, improved transient speed and snap, and better dynamic shading. The sum of these improvements is exceptional, further breaking down the barrier between reproduced sound and the immediacy of a live event.

Van den Hul presents their brand new The Grail SX phono preamplifier, with numerous innovations over its predecessors.

Over five decades ago, we invented our phono cartridge stylus, the van den Hul 1S. During these decades, we produced phono cartridges as well. These cartridges are seen as one the best in their class and famous worldwide. But if you become the class-leading manufacturer of phono cartridges, why do you no invent t your own phono preamplifier?

This is what happened in 2009 when we launched the original Grail. During the years we came up with the Grail SB (balanced in and outputs) and the SE (balanced and a dual mono board).

And now there’s a new and even better kid in town! Meet the successor of the Grail SE and our newest flagship phono amplifier, the Van den Hul Grail SX.