Sunday, May 24, 2009

Preamplifier - Philips AH 572



Phillips 572 Preamplifier - Okay, this thing is a trip! I love interesting component design, and brother, this one takes the cake! Not particularly industrial, not overly futuristic, heck! I can’t even tell you if it’s good-looking or the ugliest piece of gear I’ve ever owned! All I know is that it would look equally at home in Dudley Moore’s swinging bachelor pad from “Foul Play,” or sitting on the bridge of the Star Ship Enterprise. The controls are touch-sensitive and have LED activation feedback. There are 16 light bulbs that illuminate the function buttons. I stumbled across an insane restoration of this piece by someone who really knows his electronics. I read through the restoration and felt compelled to leave a comment on his guest book. You may want to do the same if you’re left as dumbfounded as I was by the detail of his overhaul.

How does it sound? Very nice! Well-balanced, buzz on the left channel, great tonal control. The volume goes from 0-60 in two clicks, but if you have a power amplifier with adjustable gain (output), then you can tweak the control from there. Did you catch that second comment? Yeah, it has a low-level buzz - [note the easy lead-in, and uncharacteristic restraint demonstrated by not making a drinking joke here] the kind of buzz that's easily covered by music, but the mere existence of which drives you nuts. Oh well, perhaps the guy who did the rebuild would be interested in another. . .probably not.

Have any stories or photos of your Philips AH 572 Preamplifier? Please leave a comment or send me an email.

Want to hook up your iPod to your vintage stereo? Visit my Audio Accessory Store for some great values!

HiFiCollector.com Mugs, Hats, T-Shirts! Come visit our store on CafePress!

3 comments:

  1. please i need your help. I leave in spain and i have a Philips AH 572, Preamplifiers .but it does not light. The button has already started to malfunction. And it does not light. Could you tell me where it is possible to have replacement parts. I am very annoyed because I would like very much. Thank you
    my e-mail is: info@idealgourmet.es

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi - Sorry, I can't help with the technical details, but this guy might be able to. Check out his restoration of his 572 and then contact him. http://cdkands.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. I just rescued one of these out of an e-recycle bin. I grabbed b/c I thought it looked cool too. I had no idea it was that old or a collector's piece. Mine works perfectly. I didn't grab the tuner that was there. Damnit. I will have to go back and see if I can find it and maybe look for a matching amp.

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin