Gold Note PH-10 or

The Gold Note PH-10 is an innovative phono stage that is redefining expectations for audio performance. Designed and manufactured by Gold Note, a company based near Florence, Italy, this product is renowned for its elegant design, ease of use, and exceptional features.

From the first glance, the Gold Note PH-10 catches the eye with its bold, modern design. Straddling Italian elegance and technological robustness, the PH-10 is a half-width component, making it easy to place in any space. Available in three colors - silver, gold, and black - its chassis is made from a single piece of aluminum, providing a rigid structure that dampens vibrations for the printed circuit board inside. The elegant diagonal vents that adorn the top, sides, and bottom of the PH-10 give it the look of an Italian sports car, while the Gold Note logo is stamped on the top and repeated on a small gold medallion on the front panel of each component.

One of the most notable features of the PH-10 is its innovative control system and 2.8-inch color TFT display. All functions of the phono stage, such as cartridge type (moving magnet or moving coil), equalization, gain, and impedance load, can be quickly and easily adjusted using its single knob control (SKC) system and color display. EQ selection can be done on the fly while music is playing, allowing for disc-specific adjustments. The PH-10 offers three different EQ curves: RIAA, America-CBS-Columbia, and Decca-London. Additionally, each of these can be set to “enhanced” mode, providing a slight boost at the upper end of the EQ response curve. Furthermore, the PH-10 offers nine impedance load settings (10, 22, 47, 100, 220, 470, 1000, 22k, and 47k ohms), which can be selected on the fly to allow optimal matching with a wide range of cartridges quickly and easily.

The rear panel of the PH-10 features a power switch and a full complement of inputs: an IEC power socket, two sets of unbalanced RCA inputs with dedicated ground posts, a socket for the PSU-10 power supply umbilical cord, a mini-USB firmware port, and what is likely a service or test port. Outputs include a set of balanced XLRs and unbalanced RCAs.

In terms of setup, the PH-10 is extremely easy to install. The half-width chassis easily fits on a shelf or on top of a rack or cabinet. If using the optional PSU-10 external power supply, Gold Note recommends placing the PSU-10 on the left side of the PH-10 for easy connection of the DC power umbilical and to minimize noise between the two components. Once you’ve flipped the main switch on the back, the PH-10 goes into standby mode until the control knob is pressed. Holding this knob down for three seconds puts the PH-10 into active mode and turns on the control display. Once the display is visible, the control knob is used to make selections for input (Phono 1 or Phono 2), cartridge type, EQ curve, gain, input, and impedance load, etc.

• Intuitive Control and Sophisticated Display : The Gold Note PH-10 features a 2.8-inch TFT color display and a single knob control (SKC) system. This makes the unit easy to use while allowing for precise, real-time adjustments.
• Customizable Equalization : The PH-10 offers three different equalization curves (RIAA, America-CBS-Columbia, and Decca-London), as well as an “enhanced” mode. This allows you to adjust the sound response for each record, providing a personalized listening experience.
• Elegant and Robust Design : The PH-10’s housing, distinguished by its aluminum structure and elegant diagonal vents, offers both attractive aesthetics and protection against vibrations, contributing to the unit’s sound quality.
• Impedance and Gain Settings : The PH-10 offers nine impedance load settings and four different gain settings. This allows you to optimize the unit for a wide range of cartridges, ensuring optimal performance.
• Easy Installation : Thanks to its compact design and ease of installation, the PH-10 can be integrated into a variety of setups without hassle. Additionally, it offers easy firmware updates via a mini-USB port, ensuring the unit stays up-to-date with the latest improvements and features.

Technical Specifications

Main Features

• Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) phono preamplifier
• 3 equalization curves (RIAA, Decca London, American Columbia)

Audio Performance

• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Subsonic filter: 10 Hz / 36 dB per octave
• Total harmonic distortion: < 0.05% at 1 kHz
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 89 dB
• Dynamic range: 105 dB

Input Parameters

• Input sensitivity: 0.1 mV MC to 10.0 mV MM
• Input impedance: 9 options [10 Ω, 22 Ω, 47 Ω, 100 Ω, 220 Ω, 470 Ω, 1,000 Ω, 22 kΩ, 47 kΩ]
• Gain: 45 dB MM to 65 dB MC with 4 options [0 dB, ±3 dB, +6 dB]
• MM capacitance: 220 pF

Connectivity

• Analog inputs: 2 independent MM/MC stereo RCA pairs
• Audio outputs:
  • 1 unbalanced RCA pair
  • 1 balanced XLR pair

Physical Characteristics

• Dimensions (W × H × D): 200 × 80 × 260 mm
• Weight: 3 kg

Power Supply

• Super linear power supply 10 W
• Standby consumption: < 0.5 W
• Fuse: 0.5 A slow-blow