As their are different threads about the P1, I do a copy and paste of the P1 / Kondo comparison thread into this thread:
"The P1 has a low noise floor (but it is not the lowest noise floor I know), the P1 has on the voltage path 500 different resistors to choose.
Looking a little bit deeper into the Cartridge coil technology, the way the wire is done shows, that the most MC Carts have a minimal different coil wire length for the left and the right channel.
As an example, my Colibri Carts do have 1/3 of a round more on one channel. As we are talking only a few (mostly less than 5) rounds for the coil wire, in principle you never will give to a MC cart the best matching impedance, as left and right channel should be slightly different.
Juergen Ueltee, the developing mastermind behind the vdh Grail Phonostage showed me this facts with some measurements. So he decided to choose a current amplification stage for the Grail , which is MC Cartridge impedance independent.
This is a rarely chosen amplification method for a phono stage, but the P1 is doing the same on MC1 and MC2 input.
P1 (and the Grail) are giving to any (low DC / Coil resistance , < 40ohm) MC Cartridge the optimal load for both channels (as the current stage is load DC resistance independent )
Playing music with the P1 gives you the feeling, that it is just right, I assume, that this is coming from the logic, that both channels do have exactly the same amplification.
I know , that this might be a minor effect, but if you are in High End Carts and your gear is on the level, that you can hear the difference in torque of your tonearm screws, this minor effect can make the difference. "
Talking about P1 mainly might better be located here, comparison to Kondo better in the other thread.
As you can see in my current set up, I do not care about solid state or tubes, I just like to have the best result for me.
And current modern manufacturer show, that even solid state can make music, that even tubes can make bass and resolution...
Some manufacturers even have both in one unit, as VTL 7.5 Preamp, which is a perfect hybrid .
But.. I have to say, that I miss with Koda and P1 my beloved Tube Rolling..., so may be I have to do more on my VTL S-400 (current best amp to the Universum III) and Lampi Dac. The VTL S-400 runs with KT 88 , but too many to change just for fun...)
Juergen
ps
I still use the big blue monster..., now with a 2 Sperling motor set up, which is a good value for the money choice, J Sikora or Dereneville motor would be a little better .
