Préamplificateur phono Gold Note PH-10

The Gold Note PH-10 phono preamplifier is one of the "flagship" products of the Italian manufacturer. It has certainly contributed to the brand's success in the audiophile world.

Gold Note PH-10: front and rear panel

This phono preamp is characterised by several features that are unique to it.

To begin with, it comes in a "shoebox" form (half-chassis). The entire enclosure is made of excellent-quality brushed aluminium. It is offered in three finishes: black, silver and gold.

On the front, you find an original and magnificent colour display combined with a rotary navigation knob. The display shows the input used, the type of phono cartridge (MM or MC), the gain, the load and the RIAA curve. Two items indicate the display brightness setting and the presence or absence of the optional external Gold Note PSU-10 power supply.

The back of the device offers two separate RCA phono inputs. The output is on RCA and is doubled with balanced XLR. To this are added the multi-pin socket for the optional power supply, the IEC socket and a Micro USB for firmware updates.

Gold Note PH-10: settings

The Gold Note PH-10 is a very versatile phono preamplifier that offers all the features expected of a high-end phono preamp.

The MM and MC gain settings (45 dB / 65 dB (-3 dB/6 dB)) combined with the loads (10, 22, 47, 100, 220, 470, 1k, 22k and 47 kOhm) allow a wide choice of high- and low-output cartridges.

The PH-10 lets you select the most appropriate equalisation curve for the record: RIAA, DECCA LONDON or AMERICAN COLUMBIA. The curve appears clearly as a graph on the large colour display. Each curve can be enhanced by a proprietary design derived from the Neumann cutting system, in order to optimise the dynamics and the reproduction of high frequencies.

Note that 95% of records are based on the RIAA curve. The other curves concern certain pressings, mainly before 1958 (the arrival of the stereo record). However, it is true that some labels (even if they are rare) used the Decca and Columbia curves until the end of the 1960s. This is generally indicated on the LP sleeve.

Gold Note PH-10: pairings

The two separate RCA inputs allow you to connect two arms or two turntables with two completely different phono cartridges. This is because each of the parameters is stored in memory even when the unit is switched off.

To maximise the performance of the PH-10, Gold Note has also developed the PSU-10, a dedicated super-inductive external power supply that allows the PH-10 to reach its full potential. This achieves an even higher degree of musical realism, better dynamics and a larger three-dimensional sound.

Gold Note PH-10: test and listening

From the very first bars, the Gold Note PH-10 offers a very detailed reproduction with a beautiful, slightly "warm" timbre. This timbre quality makes the reproduction very realistic.

The treble is a little darker and a little less bright than with the Aurorasound Vida Prima phono preamp, but this allows it never to be strident or fatiguing.

The breadth of the soundstage is really the strong point of the PH-10. It is stable and very precise, while offering fine definition and a remarkable presence. This makes the instruments and musicians very palpable and very easy to locate in space.

The dynamics are also there! The PH-10 delivers a remarkable swing whatever the style of music being listened to. You also notice that the Gold Note PH-10 is very quiet, so it does not bury the micro-details in noise. This is noticeable on voice reverberations or on the tails of piano notes.

To sum up, the Gold Note PH-10 phono preamplifier is not the most neutral or the most surgical phono stage but, along with the Vida Prima, it is certainly one of the best phono preamps under 1500 euros.

And, in addition to its musicality, the Gold Note PH-10 offers connection and configuration possibilities that are completely unheard of in this range! The build quality is also worth citing as an example.

AWARDS:
Hifi Pig - Outstanding product - 2017
Positive Feedback - 2017
The Audiophile Man 8/10 - 2018
Stereoplay - Goldenes Ohr - 2019
TheEar.net - Best Buy - 2019
Hi-Fi+ - Editor's Choice - 2020

FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the Gold Note PH-10 phono preamplifier

Is it compatible with my MM and MC cartridges?

Yes. The PH-10 is a very versatile phono preamp: its MM and MC gain settings (45 and 65 dB) combined with a wide choice of loads (10, 22, 47, 100, 220, 470, 1k, 22k and 47 kOhm) allow it to accommodate both high-output and low-output cartridges.

What are the RIAA, Decca London and American Columbia curves for?

They allow you to select the most appropriate equalisation for the record, the curve appearing clearly as a graph on the large colour display. About 95% of records are based on the RIAA curve; the others mainly concern certain pressings from before 1958 and a few labels that used the Decca and Columbia curves until the end of the 1960s, which is generally indicated on the sleeve.

Can I connect two turntables, and is it upgradeable?

Yes. The two separate RCA inputs allow you to connect two arms or two turntables fitted with completely different cartridges, each parameter being kept in memory even when the unit is switched off. The PH-10 is also upgradeable via the dedicated PSU-10 super-inductive external power supply, which allows it to reach its full potential with more realism, more dynamics and a three-dimensional sound.

What type of reproduction does it offer?

From the very first bars, the reproduction is very detailed with a beautiful, slightly warm timbre that makes it very realistic, and treble that is never strident or fatiguing. The breadth of the soundstage is its strong point: stable, precise and present, it makes the musicians palpable and easy to locate. Very quiet and dynamic, this Gold Note phono preamplifier is one of the best in its category under 1500 euros.