Italy’s high-end audio marque Gold Note continues to expand its compact half-sized ‘10’ series components with the addition of the new HP-10 headphone amplifier.
The new HP-10 is a Class-A, dual-mono balanced design and is available in three versions with an option to upgrade each with Gold Note’s PSU-10 EVO external power supply. The starting point is the plain vanilla “Classic” HP-10, an analogue source headphone amplifier and the simplest way to achieve quality sound for personal audio. The HP-10 BT is a Bluetooth-capable (aptX HD 5.1) headphone amplifier with a built-in ESS Technology ESS9023 Sabre digital-to-analogue converter and, finally, the HP-10 Deluxe ups the ante with high-resolution USB-C connectivity and a “premium” AKM AK4493 DAC chip.
Analogue headphone inputs include one unbalanced RCA and one balanced XLR while digital input for the Deluxe version is USB-C with 768 kHz PCM and DSD512 resolution capabilities. Outputs feature 3.5 mm mini-jack, 6.5 mm standard jack, 4.4 mm jack (balanced) and 4-pin XLR. Line outputs are via unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR.
Gold Note has included a variety of tuning modes including four Crossfeed options, Harman curve equalisation, a phase switch (0 and 180 degrees), and variable gain and damping factor (DF high or low) controls. A ‘Superflat’ option “linearises the response for the highs”. The HP-10 can be set to output either stereo or mono audio (L+R sum or either L or R). There’s also a by-pass mode which allows RCA or XLR connectivity in order to drive the loudspeakers either via the HP-10 or the existing preamplifier without changing the wiring scheme.
The HP-10’s frequency response is stated as 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.3dB while Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N) is said to be 0.015% at 1 kHz.
The HP-10 features a solid milled aluminium chassis in gold, silver or black anodised brushed finishes. A large colour touchscreen dominates the HP-10’s fascia and can be used to access the unit’s extensive features list. Gold Note provides a comprehensive infra-red remote control.
The new Gold Note HP-10 headphone amplifier is available in Australia via importer Audio Heaven.
Gold Note Debuts HP-10 Headphone Amplifier
Price: TBA
Australian Distributor: Audio Heaven
+61 (0) 412 650 723
www.audioheaven.com.au
