jamielevin

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Price Paid:  $550.00 from AES/Cary Audio Websi

Summary:
I ordered the PH-1 as a kit having heard that the sound quality of this unit is fantastic. I am a regular kit builder and I relished the idea of building a high end audio component. I was dismayed by the PH-1 kit from start to finish. Most notably, the instructions are hand drawn with numerous errors (at least 25 by my count). They range from silly typos (i.e., misspelling the company name!) to mislabeling parts and confusing soldering instructions. The net result? Without significant testing and electronic knowledge following the instructions is a hazard (quite literally, high voltage parts will short circuit, overheat and likely explode). The worst part about it? The build manual doesn’t appear to have been updated since the introduction of the unit over 5 years ago. This is absolutely unforgivable. Other amateurish signs included a beaten up transformer (that is visible on the chassis). I was surprised that a kit of this cost and complexity would come with such cosmetic impediments. On the other hand, customer service at Cary/AES was rather helpful in rectifying and clarifying some of the problems that I had. After much blood, sweat, and frustration I built the kit. The sound quality: SIMPLY EXCELLENT. Would I repeat this process again? No. Cary/AES should be embarrassed by their build manual. I would not recommend building this unit as a kit UNTIL CARY/AES makes requisite corrections. Until that day comes do yourself a favor and buy this unit factory built.

Strengths:
Sound quality is fantastic. Having managed to get over the awful manual the build quality and components are absolutely top notch!

Weaknesses:
Build manual is rubbish. Full stop.

richm

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $400.00 from AES

Summary:
I bought the kit version of this as I am an avid builder. As far as "kits" go this is the worst I have built. The instructions not only are lacking in detail but poor quality. Hand written and copied on a copy machine with parts of the NEEDED instructions over the edge of the copier. It is almost like they dont want you to succeed so they can get paid to fix it. It can be done, but is going to require some head scratching and reading ahead trying to second guess them. It would be SO EASY for them to clean up the instructions.

Strengths:
Sonics. Absolutely the best I have heard. Very detailed and liquid.

Weaknesses:
Kit instructions !!

Price Paid:  $600.00

Summary:
My unit has the oil-coupling cap upgrade. After trying some tube rolling (RCA, Tungsol, Sylvania), I still found the stock NOS JAN tubes (Phillips 6SL7GT's and 5814A) to have the best balance. The sound is three dimensional, the instruments have texture and air around them, and the soundstage appears to have adequate width and depth. My only complaint is some grounding hum at moderate to high gain levels. It's not audible from my listening position, but it is present nonetheless. I assume it's a combination of design characteristic and system compatibility causing the hum. I tried adding grounding, floating the ground, using a gound loop isolator, switching cable, tubes, etc... Nothing would completely remove the hum. In fact, the stock tubes, which sound best to me, reflected the quietest, least amount of hum during playback. Understand, though, this is a minor irration. I very much enjoy the unit and I will definitely keep it. It complements my CJ PV12AL line stage very nicely. It's a fine unit for the $.

Strengths:
3-d, natural

Weaknesses:
Some grounding hum at moderate to high gain

Price Paid:  $399.00 from Direct from AES

Summary:
I've lived with this unit for a month now. The PH-3 replaced a BAT VK-P3 and was a substantial improvement. Imaging is exceptionally open, airy and dimensional. There's an extremely good sense of dynamics. The unit is also very quiet.

I built mine from a kit and found it relatively easy but time consuming. The unit worked flawlessly the first time I turned it on. The unit is available factory assembled for a modest surcharge. Support from AES has been good.

Following AES's recommendations, I've upgraded the coupling caps to Jensen copper foil paper-in-oil types and replaced the rectifier diodes to HEXFRED's. I've also replaced the standard tubes with NOS Mullard's and two signal path resistors with Caddock TF020's. All of these relatively inexpensive modifications have resulted in a rather significant improvement.

IMO, this unit can and should be compared to any currently available tube units form ARC, Cary, SF, EAR, etc. I highly recommend you audition one before spending more (or less).

Associated equipment:
BAT VK-3i (soon to be a VK-5i)
MR RM200 w/HEXFRED
LP12/Valhalla/ET2/DV 20XL/Jensen
PT P-3A w/HEXFRED & PS
Cal Delta
1.6QR modified w/Hovland & Alpha Core

Strengths:
sonics, cost

Weaknesses:
appearence

Similar Products Used:
BAT VK-P3, ARC PH3, CJ PV12, ARC SP8