Gold Note DS-10 EVO LINE gold

The DS-10 EVO LINE from Gold Note brings together five functions in a compact chassis: network streamer, digital-to-analog converter, line preamplifier, headphone amplifier, and Bluetooth receiver. Equipped with the AKM AK4493 converter and its adjustable “Chameleon” mode, this Italian device offers a modular approach to digital audio playback, compatible with hi-res files up to PCM 32bit/384kHz and DSD512.

A half-width enclosure with refined proportions

The DS-10 EVO LINE has a compact format of 200 mm wide, 80 mm high, and 260 mm deep, weighing 4 kg net. This size corresponds to half a standard width, allowing two units to be placed side by side on the same shelf. The anodized aluminum chassis is available in three finishes: black, silver, or gold, all with a matte brushed look. The sides and top feature chevron-shaped slots, a visual hallmark of the brand, now chamfered to avoid any risk of cuts during handling.

The front panel consists of a 2.8-inch TFT display occupying a large portion of the panel, a single SKC (Single Knob Control) rotary knob, and a 6.35 mm headphone jack. This simplicity makes it easy to integrate into an existing system without visual clutter. A discreet LED indicator changes color depending on the power mode: blue for the internal power supply, green when the external PSU-10 EVO is connected. On the back, you’ll find all the digital and analog connectors, as well as an IEC socket for the mains cable and an eight-pin DIN socket for the optional external power supply.

The AKM AK4493 converter and its implementation

At the heart of the DS-10 EVO LINE is the AKM AK4493 chip, a 32-bit stereo converter featuring Velvet Sound technology developed by the Japanese manufacturer. This circuit accepts PCM streams up to 768 kHz and DSD up to 22.4 MHz (DSD512) natively. In practice, the DS-10 EVO LINE handles PCM up to 32bit/384kHz via the USB-B input and DSD up to DSD512 through the same input. The other digital inputs (coaxial, AES/EBU, optical) are limited to PCM 24bit/192kHz.

The AK4493 delivers measured performance of 123 dB signal-to-noise ratio, 120 dB dynamic range, and total harmonic distortion below 0.001%. The circuit includes an OSR Doubler switched-capacitor filter that reduces out-of-band noise while keeping power consumption low. Six types of 32-bit digital filters are available, allowing fine-tuning of frequency response according to listening preferences or system characteristics.

Gold Note has designed a proprietary internal multi-transformer power supply delivering 35 W. This power supply is organized into several independent sections to isolate the digital, analog, and preamplification stages. Users seeking further improvements can connect the PSU-10 EVO, an external linear power supply with four transformers and a hybrid topology combining inductive filtering with a cascaded architecture. According to the manufacturer’s measurements, this auxiliary unit lowers the noise floor by more than 80 dB.

Chameleon mode: 48 combinations to tailor the sound

The DS-10 EVO LINE features a function called “Chameleon mode,” which allows the converter’s sound profile to be adjusted in real time without degrading signal quality. Unlike the simple digital filter changes offered by most DACs, this system acts on three independent parameters:

• The PCM equalization curve (low-pass filter) with several roll-off profiles: sharp (abrupt transition), slow (gentle transition), or intermediate
• The high-frequency de-emphasis curve to compensate for pre-emphasis applied to certain recordings
• The DSD filter and the DAC’s internal current level, adjustable to alter dynamics and overall sonic presentation

These three parameters combine to offer 48 distinct configurations that the user can test and compare during playback. The system lets you save three favorite presets that are quickly accessible via the menu. This flexibility is useful for adapting the DS-10 EVO LINE to the acoustic characteristics of the listening room, the colorations of the speakers in use, or simply personal taste depending on musical genre.

The approach differs from traditional digital filters because it also acts on the analog output stage and the power management of the DAC circuit. A “sharp roll-off” filter combined with a high DAC current produces a more energetic sound with fast transients, while a “slow roll-off” filter combined with a moderate current generates a smoother, more organic presentation.

Comprehensive, multi-service network connectivity

The DS-10 EVO LINE connects to the home network via Ethernet cable or dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (10/433 Mbps). This dual option simplifies installation in setups where wired cabling is not practical. The network card supports UPnP and DLNA protocols to access NAS music servers or external hard drives. A USB-A input accepts flash drives and hard drives formatted in FAT32 or NTFS (32 GB limit for USB sticks), enabling direct playback of locally stored files.

The unit natively supports the following streaming services: Roon Ready, Tidal and Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, and vTuner for internet radio. Roon Ready certification ensures automatic recognition in the Roon ecosystem and bit-perfect transmission of audio streams. The Tidal Connect function allows streaming directly from the Tidal mobile app to the DS-10 EVO LINE without going through a third-party app.

The HD Bluetooth 5.0 receiver accepts 44.1 kHz/16-bit streams, providing a convenient option for playing music from a smartphone or tablet. For external digital sources, the DS-10 EVO LINE offers a coaxial S/PDIF RCA input, a balanced AES/EBU input, two optical TOS-Link inputs, an asynchronous USB-B input, and a USB-A input. A 3.5 mm mini-jack analog input completes the connectivity, making it possible to integrate an external analog source such as a portable player or a phono preamp.

Supported audio formats include PCM up to 32bit/384kHz, DSD64 to DSD512 (DSF and DFF files), AIFF, ALAC, WAV (packed and unpacked), FLAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, OGG, and Monkey’s Audio. Firmware updates are performed OTA (Over The Air) directly via the network connection, eliminating the need for complex manual update procedures.

Analog preamp stage and headphone amplification

The DS-10 EVO LINE includes a switchable line preamp that operates entirely in the analog domain. When activated, this stage allows volume control either via the front SKC knob, the supplied remote control, or the GN Control app. The volume potentiometer acts on the analog signal after conversion, thus preserving the full digital resolution of the audio stream.

Two pairs of audio outputs are available on the rear: one unbalanced RCA pair and one balanced XLR pair, both delivering 2 Vrms. These outputs can operate in fixed mode (constant level for connection to a separate preamp) or variable mode (adjustable level for direct connection to a power amplifier). The 50 Ω output impedance is suitable for most power amplifiers and preamps on the market. Switching from DAC mode to preamp mode is done in the setup menus, electronically disabling volume control when an external preamp is used.

The front headphone output offers two gain levels (High/Low), selectable in the settings. Low gain is suitable for sensitive in-ear monitors and portable headphones, while high gain provides enough power to drive planar magnetic or high-impedance headphones. This built-in headphone amplification avoids the need for a dedicated headphone amp for users who want to alternate between speaker listening and headphone listening.

Intuitive interface and control apps

The 2.8-inch TFT display permanently shows the signal format (PCM or DSD), sample rate, selected input, operating mode (fixed DAC or variable preamp), and volume level. Brightness can be set to four levels: 100%, 50%, 25%, or off, adapting to room lighting conditions and avoiding intrusive light pollution in a dark environment.

The single SKC knob handles all navigation functions: one press to enter menus, rotation to scroll through options, and another press to confirm. This minimalist approach simplifies the physical interface while giving access to all settings: source selection, volume adjustment, Chameleon mode configuration, preamp activation, headphone gain selection, screen brightness.

The supplied multifunction remote mirrors most of the front-panel knob’s functions, with volume control remaining clearly readable from a normal listening distance. The GN Control app (available free on iOS and Android) displays detailed information on the currently playing track on a smartphone or tablet: title, artist, album, actual format, and resolution. The app interface has been revamped in the EVO version to improve responsiveness and ergonomics compared with the first-generation DS-10. Roon users can also control the DS-10 EVO LINE directly from the Roon interface, which automatically detects the device as a certified endpoint.

Technical specifications

Digital-to-analog conversion

• DAC chip: AKM AK4493
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (± 0.1 dB)
• Total harmonic distortion: 0.001% maximum
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 125 dB
• Dynamic range: 120 dB
• Preamplifier volume control: enabled / disabled

Supported audio formats

• PCM up to 32-bit / 384 kHz
• DSD up to DSD512 (DSF, DFF)
• AIFF (.aif, .aiff, .aifc)
• ALAC
• WAV (compressed / uncompressed)
• FLAC
• MP3
• Apple Lossless
• OGG
• Monkey’s Audio

Network connectivity and streaming

• Local network and Wi-Fi: 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, dual band (10 / 433 Mbps)
• Bluetooth: HD 5.0 (44.1 kHz / 16-bit)
• Compatible streaming services: Roon Ready, Tidal, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, vTuner
• Media servers: UPnP, DLNA, Roon
  • The UPnP server must support DSD streaming to play DSD files
• Firmware update: remote (OTA)

Connectivity

• Digital inputs
  • 1 × RCA coaxial (PCM up to 24-bit / 192 kHz)
  • 1 × AES / EBU (PCM up to 24-bit / 192 kHz)
  • 2 × TOSLink optical (PCM up to 24-bit / 192 kHz)
  • 1 × asynchronous USB-B (DSD512 and PCM 32-bit / 384 kHz)
  • 1 × USB-A (DSD256 and PCM 32-bit / 384 kHz, FAT32 / NTFS, 32 GB maximum)
• Analog input
  • 1 × 3.5 mm mini-jack (10 kΩ impedance)
• Audio outputs
  • Converter outputs
    • 1 × unbalanced RCA 2 Vrms
    • 1 × balanced XLR 2 Vrms
  • Preamplifier outputs
    • 1 × unbalanced RCA
    • 1 × balanced XLR
  • 1 × 6.3 mm headphone output (front panel, dual gain)

Power supply

• Voltage: 100 – 240 V / 50 – 60 Hz
• Power consumption: 35 W
• Fuse: 2 A T
• Type: multi-rail power supply with proprietary transformer

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions (W x H x D): 200 × 80 × 260 mm
• Net weight: 4 kg
• Shipping weight: 5 kg

Package contents

• Multifunction remote control
• Power cable
• Documentation