A Review of Hafler’s PH50 and PH60 Phono Preamps and the PH44 Moving Coil Step-Up Transformer

To understand more about the Hafler revival, we delve into some of Hafler’s history and the companies associated with it. In this article, Gary Galo reviews the new Hafler PH50 (designed for moving magnet cartridges) and the PH60 (moving coil) Phono Preamps, as well as the Hafler PH44 Moving Coil Step-Up Transformer. All products come from Radial Engineering, the owner of Jensen Transformers and the Hafler and Dynaco brands, which it bought in 2014. This article was originally published in audioXpress, April 2017.

Responding to the exponential growth in turntable sales, Audio-Technica introduced its VM-Type moving magnet phono cartridges, employing the company’s patented V-shaped Dual Magnet design along with a host of modern improvements. The nine models in the VM lineup include three different cartridge bodies and three different stylus shapes, to deliver optimized playback of all types of stereo, mono and 78 RPM records.

Following the resurgence of 33 RPM records and turntables, Hafler has launched a series of devices aimed squarely at this market that include two active phono stages and two step-up transformers (SUTs). The series includes the Hafler PH50 high-performance phono stage for moving magnet (dynamic) cartridges, and the Hafler PH60 phono stage for moving coil cartridges with a class-A transformerless head-amp design. The Hafler PH34 and PH44 SUTs employ ultra high performance Jensen Transformers.

Claudio Lastrucci, co-founder of Powersoft S.p.A. and current R&D Director, is presenting a tutorial titled, “A New High Performance Moving Magnet Acoustic Transducer” at the premier event for the loudspeaker and acoustics industry, ALMA’s Winter Symposium on January 3rd & 4th, at the Tuscany Suites and Casino in Las Vegas.

Powersoft will present working methodologies and loudspeaker application scenarios on its patented M-Force linear motor technology at the 137th AES Convention in Los Angeles, on Friday, October 10th. The presentation will address how moving magnet linear motor technology in subwoofers can deliver greater conversion efficiency and sound quality in the lower frequencies.