Préamplificateur phono Atoll PH 100

After a well-deserved run of over 5 years with its P200 phono preamplifier, Atoll is discontinuing it and replacing it with a more ambitious product, still at a very tight price: the Atoll PH 100 phono preamplifier.

Atoll PH 100 phono preamplifier

Atoll PH 100: casing

The Atoll PH 100 comes in a fairly large casing, even "giant" for a phono preamplifier in this range. The finish is flawless and of excellent quality. You get a superb 4 mm brushed aluminium front panel, available in silver or black.

At its centre sits the brand's logo along with an LED indicating power-on.

The non-magnetic aluminium casing rests on 4 small rubber feet.

Atoll PH 100: rear panel and settings

On the back of the PH 100 are 2 pairs of RCA sockets (IN/OUT), an IEC socket and two DIP switches (one per channel).

Atoll PH 100 phono preamplifier

These 4 switches allow the phono preamplifier to be configured for the cartridge in use. The settings remain simple and basic but essential. They let this phono stage be paired with most MM and MC cartridges on the market.

Atoll PH 100: circuit

As always with Atoll, the circuit is superbly designed. The power supply is fully dual mono.

Each channel is powered separately. For this, each has a low-noise moulded transformer, a rectifier bridge, 12 filtering capacitors and two voltage regulators.

The output voltage of these circuits is perfectly stable and fully filtered, which achieves a high signal-to-noise ratio and no dynamic compression.

The whole receives a cover that shields and isolates the power supplies from the audio circuit.

The RIAA circuit relies solely on discrete components (8 transistors). Atoll uses no integrated circuit or amplifier, and no capacitor in the audio path.

Atoll PH 100: testing and listening

From the very first measurements, you find all the qualities that made the brand successful: transparency, neutrality and dynamics. You get all the musicality of the P200, but with a very significant step up.

The bandwidth seems far more extended, especially in the bass and dynamics, and much better distributed across the whole spectrum.

We also applaud its exemplary quiet operation. We obtained the best results after 5 hours of power-on.

For those fond of "tuning", the musicality was greatly improved with an AudioQuest NRG-X3 mains cable and the addition of SSC Netpoint 100 supports.

This Atoll PH 100 phono preamplifier is another success to the French manufacturer's credit. It adds a high-performance, very affordable analogue product to its catalogue.

Remarkable value for money.

AWARDS:
Haute-Fidélité – Meilleur Achat (Best Buy)

FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the Atoll PH 100 phono preamplifier

Is it compatible with MM and MC cartridges?

Yes. Two DIP switches (one per channel) on the back let you configure it for the cartridge in use, pairing this phono stage with most MM and MC cartridges on the market.

How do I set this preamplifier for my cartridge?

On the back, two DIP switches (one per channel) allow the preamplifier to be simply configured for the cartridge in use, basic but essential settings that let it be paired with most MM and MC cartridges on the market. Our guide on how to choose a phono preamplifier covers these settings in detail.

What is special about this preamplifier's power supply?

It is fully dual mono: each channel has its own low-noise moulded transformer, a rectifier bridge, 12 filtering capacitors and two voltage regulators, which ensures a high signal-to-noise ratio and no dynamic compression.

How does this PH 100 compare with the P200 it replaces in listening?

You get all the musicality of the P200 (transparency, neutrality, dynamics) but with a very significant gain in bandwidth, especially in the bass, and exemplary quiet operation, particularly after 5 hours of power-on. It was awarded Best Buy by Haute-Fidélité.