HI-FIVE Audio
Audition RMD PH-2 Reference
Listening to a piece of equipment obviously depends on the sound system it’s part of, the recording of the music, the electrical system, the acoustics of the room, your ears, tastes and knowledge.
That’s why the most important thing is to listen. After we have read each audition, we invite you to come and listen and draw your own conclusions.
Lisbon, 25.jul.2023 – José Costa
During our auditions of Portuguese hi-fi equipment, we were kindly given the PH-2 Reference turntable preamplifier by RMD in the person of Ricardo Domingos.
Appreciation of Build Quality and Aesthetics
Divided into two modules, the power supply unit and the phono deck, we find superb structural quality and components of the highest quality.
In aesthetic terms, this is an excellent piece of equipment, with a careful choice of materials and finishes, with the vuimeters at the front giving it a special charm, and the panoply of switches at the rear.
Some technical data (from the manufacturer)
Regenerative external power supply.
Ultra-low noise circuit for moving coils only
Two balanced inputs and a single-ended input.
Adjustable charging on the rear panel for each input
Adjustable gain (56 to 74 dB gain)
Frequency response tolerance of +- 0.1dB
Sound System
The sound system where the audition took place consists of:
Digital sources: not used in this audition; Turntable – Rui Borges (Primo, vinyl turntable version); Neck – VPI JMW Memorial tonearm ; Cell – AT-OC9 with black wood body
Pre-amplifier: Nagra PL-L; Amplifiers – Karan KA-M 1200 monoblocs; Phono pre-amplifier – RMD PH-2 Reference integrated
Cables: ZDL Vibrato throughout the system
Columns: Revel Salon I
Current filter; PS-Audio Premier (except for amplifiers).
The system is powered by an independent electricity circuit and the room has no acoustic treatment.
Previous note
To listen to the RMD PH-2 phono preamp, I used my old AT-OC9 purchased in 1989 (modified, as it now has a black stick body) since my usual cell suffered an “accident”. It’s elegant, dynamic, and the changes made have given it more consistency, more depth, more involvement.
Hearing
We started our audition with Avalanche. The voice of a still young Leonard Cohen, slightly nasalized, simply fabulous. The sound of the guitar strings very evident, jagged. The orchestra emerged in depth. The whole ensemble sounds enveloping, dynamic, with breadth and depth of stage. On the next track, Last Year’s Man, the backing vocals are clearly audible, as they should be.
We then move on to Smooth Operator. Sade’s fantastic voice, with all its micro variations.
We listened to the track Midnight Sugar. The piano is fabulous, full, deep, with impressive dynamics and attack, and the cymbals are wonderful. The double bass cut out, defined, present.
I’ve put on the first track from the album Double Bass by Neils-Henning Orsted Pedersen and Sam Jones. The complexity of double basses is challenging for any system. In this audition, the double basses sound clear, fast, distinct and dynamic.
We continue the auditions with the track Sour Face. Bryony’s fabulous voice, the separation of the instruments thanks also to the silence of the PH-2, is the best I’ve ever heard in any phono pre.
In Raiders On the Storm, the thunderstorm appears with impressive stage depth.
The Pink Panther theme and Had Better Be tonight. Wonderful; detail, depth, separation of instruments, richness of tone, brass, percussion. I dare say that each instrument no longer sounds like the instrument, but is the instrument.
In classical, two extraordinary experiences: The Planets by Gustav Holtz and The Magic Bow by Michael Rabin, so fantastic that I listened to them from start to finish. They play wonderfully, like nothing I’ve ever heard.
To end on a high note: Carminho, Portuguesa. Holographic, virtual reality, you name it. What is certain is that you are there singing in the audition room.
Conclusion
Over the several days that I’ve had the PH-2, I’ve been able to come to the conclusion that I’ve been listening to different records:
Timber-wise, the PH-2 has excellent treble and a fabulous midrange, the best we’ve ever heard. In the bass and bass attack, I find them present, very controlled, beautiful.
This PH-2 exceeded expectations: The greatest breadth and depth of stage, dynamics, envelopment, that I have ever heard in this system. Virtual reality is magic.
Discography used
Avalanche and Last Year’s Man – Songs of Love and Hate – Leonard Cohen (CBS)
Smooth Operator – Diamond Life – Sade (Epic Records)
Midnight Sugar – The Famous Sound of Three Blind Mice vol.1 – Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio – (Three Blind Mice / Impex Records)
Falling in Love with Love – Double Bass – Neils-Henning Orsted Pedersen, Sam Jones SteepleChase Records)
Raiders on the Stom – L.A. Woman – The Doors (Elektra Records)
Sour Face – Cage and Aviary – Bryony Jarman-Pinto (Tru Thoughts)
O quarto, As flores – Portuguese – Carminho (Warner Music Portugal)
The Pink Panther theme and Had Better Be tonight – Henri Mancini – The Pink Panther – H. Mancini and his Orchestra (RCA / Dynagroove / Speakers Corner)
Gustav Holst – The Planets – Los Angeles Philharmonic, Zubin Meta (Decca / Speakers Corner)
Michael Rabin – The Magic Bow – The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, Felix Slatkin, M. Rabin (Capitol)