Усилители для наушников — Gold Note HP-10

The HP-10 is a Class A dual mono headphone amplifier from the 10 Series of Gold Note, offered in three versions - a purely analogue model, a BT version with an ESS Sabre DAC and aptX HD Bluetooth, and a Deluxe version with an AKM AK4493 DAC and USB-C input. The Deluxe is priced at EUR 2,390 or USD 2,599, and the base model costs about EUR 1,500. It can also work as a line preamplifier.

Key specs that matter

Headphone outputs are 3.5 mm, 6.3 mm, 4.4 mm balanced and 4-pin XLR balanced, and output power reaches up to 10 W. Line outputs are RCA and XLR, and the analogue inputs are RCA, accepting up to 5 V RMS, and XLR, up to 8 V RMS. The Deluxe version adds USB-C at up to PCM 768 kHz and DSD512 and Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD, and the BT version adds an ESS Sabre DAC and Bluetooth. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within ±0.3 dB, THD plus noise is 0.015% and signal to noise ratio is 110 dB. Power consumption is at most 25 W. The unit measures 200 x 80 x 260 mm and weighs 3.5 kg, in black, silver or gold.

Engineering and use context

The Class A output transistors conduct over the full waveform, and the dual mono design builds each channel as a separate circuit. The high output power is aimed at planar magnetic and other low-sensitivity headphones. Several settings can be adjusted from the unit - crossfeed, which mixes a little of each channel into the opposite side, an EQ based on the Harman target curve, damping, gain, phase and a Superflat mode. Adjustable gain matches the output to headphones of different sensitivity, so that the volume control works in a useful range. The balanced outputs drive each earpiece with a separate differential signal. The RCA and XLR line outputs let the HP-10 act as a preamplifier for a power amplifier such as the PA-10 EVO. The compact case matches other 10 Series components, and the Deluxe version's USB-C input accepts twice the PCM sample rate of the DS-10 EVO. The BT and Deluxe versions differ in their converter, ESS Sabre against AKM, and in the USB input that only the Deluxe provides.

Pairing

It covers headphones from sensitive in-ear models, using the minijack socket and low gain, to planar magnetic headphones on the balanced outputs. A DS-10 EVO or CD-10 can feed the analogue version, while the Deluxe version connects directly to a computer over USB-C. As a preamplifier, it can drive a PA-10 EVO and loudspeakers.

Alternatives

The Gold Note HP-5.2 is a smaller headphone amplifier placed below the HP-10.