Gold Note DS-10 EVO

The DS-10 EVO is a network streaming DAC from Gold Note, combining a digital-to-analogue converter, a line preamplifier and a headphone amplifier within a single chassis. It installs as the digital heart of a hi-fi system, driving a power amplifier or active speakers directly without any additional preamplification stage.

The AKM AK4493 converter processes high-resolution streams up to DSD512 via USB-B and up to 32-bit/384 kHz on that same input, while the coaxial, optical and AES/EBU inputs accept 24-bit/192 kHz. This broad format support allows connection of a network player, a CD transport or a computer without prior conversion. A distinctive feature of this model: the de-emphasis settings as well as the digital low-pass filters and the DSD filter can be adjusted in real time during playback, via the menu on the front TFT display, to adapt the sound to the content being listened to without degrading the signal.

On the network connectivity side, the DS-10 EVO connects via Wi-Fi or Ethernet and supports Roon Ready, Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2.0, as well as UPnP/DLNA, Qobuz, Deezer and Spotify Connect services. It can also play a library stored on a NAS or a USB stick, or be controlled from a smartphone via the GN Control app.

• Frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• THD of 0.001%
• Signal-to-noise ratio of 125 dB
• Dynamic range of 120 dB
• RCA, XLR and 6.35 mm jack headphone outputs

This DAC is aimed at listeners wishing to simplify a digital setup by bringing together network source, conversion and preamplification in a single unit, while retaining the ability to fine-tune the sound according to the musical style being listened to or the headphones in use.