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Audio

Gold Note HP-10 – the company’s first headphone amplifier

03.11.2022 10:30

Italian company Gold Note has offered first time since ten years a dedicated solution for headphones – an amplifier with a wide range of customization options. According to the manufacturer, the Gold Note HP-10 model has revolutionized the field of headphone listening. Gold Note HP-10 is an innovative amplifier that is designed not only to drive headphones – it breathes the spirit of music into them.

The Gold Note HP-10 headphone amplifier is available in three finishes and is ideal for those who want to add a high-quality dedicated component to their system, as well as for those who are looking for an all-in-one desktop device that combines Bluetooth, DAC and headphone amplifier. To ensure the highest sound quality, the Gold Note HP-10 is implemented in the concept of "dual mono" and fully balanced circuitry. The amplifier stages of the model are made on discrete elements and operate in pure class A.

For connecting headphones, the Gold Note HP-10 provides both balanced outputs (XLR, 4.4 mm) and unbalanced (jack 6.3 mm, minijack 3.5 mm). Adjustable damping factor DF (Damping Factor) allows you to choose the right combination with any headphones. Gold Note HP-10 is the only headphone amplifier equipped with four options for cross-combining right and left channel signals, allowing you to precisely control the sound stage.

Gold Note HP-10 includes the ability to apply the Harman curve in real time to high, mid, low frequencies or to the entire working range in any possible combination. In addition, the component allows you to adjust the gain, phase and apply the Superflat option.

Gold Note offers three configurations of the Gold Note HP-10 headphone amplifier that will satisfy a wide range of music lovers:– Gold Note HP-10 is a fully analog device with all the features listed above;– Gold Note HP-10 BT – additionally supports the Bluetooth aptX HD 5.1 wireless standard and is equipped with a DAC unit based on the ESS Sabre chip;– Gold Note HP-10 DELUXE – in addition to the first version, it has support for Bluetooth aptX HD 5.1, a USB-C input and is equipped with a premium DAC unit based on the AKM AK4493 chip from Asahi Kasei.

As an option for the Gold Note HP-10 headphone amplifier, the manufacturer offers an external power supply Gold Note PSU-10 EVO.

Specifications

  • Model name

    HP-10

  • Maximum Power, 32 Ohms (mW RMS per channel)

    N/A

  • Maximum Power, 50 Ohms (mW RMS per channel)

    N/A

  • Maximum Power, 300 Ohms (mW RMS per channel)

    N/A

  • Maximum Power, 600 Ohms (mW RMS per channel)

    N/A

  • Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)

    20

  • Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)

    20000

  • THD (% at 1V RMS, 300 ohms)

    0.015

  • Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)

    110

  • IMD (%, CCIR, 300 Ohms)

    N/A

  • Crosstalk (dB, 20Hz-20KHz, 300 Ohms)

    N/A

  • Output Impedance (Ohms)

    N/A

  • Dimensions (mm)

    200 x 80 x 260

  • Weight (kg)

    3.5

  • Official link

    https://www.goldnote.it/headphone-amplifier/hp-10/

Image source - https://www.goldnote.it