Gold Note HP10
Gold Note headphone amplifier with Dual-Mono Class A architecture, featuring 4 headphone outputs and advanced analogue adjustments for demanding audiophiles.
Description
The HP10 is a headphone amplifier from Gold Note, designed to power and precisely control any type of audiophile headphones. Its Dual-Mono Class A design aims to preserve the integrity of the audio signal by separating the left and right circuits, with each channel processed independently throughout the entire analogue chain.
The signal path relies entirely on discrete analogue components, with no intermediate digital conversion for sound processing. The frequency response extends from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with a variation limited to ± 0.3 dB, total harmonic distortion plus noise reaches 0.015 % at 1 kHz, and the signal-to-noise ratio stands at 110 dB: values that reflect faithful reproduction with a low background noise level, even with current-demanding headphones.
The HP10 offers several adjustments applied in real time within the analogue domain: an adjustable binaural mix (Crossfeed) across the whole spectrum or separately on bass, midrange and treble, an equalisation based on the Harman curve in super-linear version, a damping factor switchable between high and low positions, as well as a 0°/180° phase inverter. The unit features four separate headphone outputs (3.5 mm mini-jack, 6.3 mm unbalanced jack, 4.4 mm balanced jack and 4-pin balanced XLR), as well as unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR line inputs.
This type of amplifier is aimed at high-end headphone enthusiasts who want to make the most of demanding dynamic or balanced headphones, and who are looking for the ability to finely adjust the tonal balance, soundstage and dynamic behaviour of their system according to the headphones in use. The presence of both balanced and unbalanced outputs allows adaptation to a variety of cabling without needing an adapter.
Two variants exist with additional digital inputs: the HP10 BT version integrates Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD codec support and an ESS ES9023 DAC, while the HP10 Deluxe version features a high-resolution USB-C input paired with an AKM AK4493 DAC, making the unit self-sufficient without an external source.
Technical specifications
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz ± 0.3 dB |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) + Noise | 0.015 % at 1 kHz |
| Signal to noise ratio (SNR) | 110 dB |
| Binaural mix (Crossfeed) | adjustable (full spectrum or bass/midrange/treble) |
| Analogue equalisation | Harman curve, super-linear |
| Damping factor | adjustable (high/low) |
| Phase | adjustable (0°/180°) |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 80 × 200 × 260 mm |
| Weight | 3.5 kg |
| Connections | 1x 3.5 mm mini-jack output (unbalanced), 1x 6.3 mm jack output (unbalanced), 1x 4.4 mm jack output (balanced), 1x 4-pin XLR output (balanced), 1x unbalanced RCA line input, 1x balanced XLR line input |
What to check before buying used
On this discrete-component headphone amp, check that the potentiometers and switches (Crossfeed, damping, phase) work properly: crackling or intermittent contact often indicates ageing capacitors or oxidised switch contacts. Test each output (mini-jack, 6.35 mm jack, 4.4 mm and 4-pin XLR) as well as the RCA and XLR inputs, as a poorly soldered or dirty connector can cut out a channel. A slight hum or abnormal hiss in Dual-Mono Class A operation may also indicate an imbalance between the left and right circuits.
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