Gold Note PSU-1000 silver

Designed for Gold Note 1000 series components, the PSU-1000 is an external power supply solution featuring a hybrid dual-inductor design. With 5 transformers and 5 low-noise voltage regulators, this 20 kg power supply delivers filtered energy capable of eliminating electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference that undermines sound quality. It is an investment for owners of the CD-1000, DS-1000, P-1000 or PH-1000 who want to get the very best performance from their electronics.

A power supply designed for the 1000 series

The PSU-1250 and PSU-1000 are the super inductive external power supplies dedicated to the Gold Note 1000 series, such as the CD-1000 MkII, P-1000 MkII and PH-1000. The PSU-1000 is part of a modular design strategy that allows users to upgrade their components according to their needs and budget.

The CD-1000 MkII, a CD player with a built-in digital-to-analog converter, handles PCM formats up to 24-bit/192 kHz. The DS-1000 combines a network player and DAC to access locally stored files and streaming services. The P-1000 MkII, a Class A preamplifier with six ultra-linear gain stages, offers 5 balanced XLR inputs and 5 unbalanced RCA inputs. The PH-1000 phono preamplifier stands out for its advanced management of equalization curves and its multiple loading and gain settings.

When a 1000 series unit is powered by the external supply, the unit’s status LED changes color from blue to green. This visual indication immediately confirms that the component is now operating from the external power supply rather than its internal one.

Dual Choke technology at the heart of the system

The PSU-1000 has been developed with a hybrid super inductive dual-choke design and includes an inductor filter in the analog section and a dual-choke layout powered by a double inductor driving both the negative and positive high-current stages. The Dual Choke design – Gold Note’s proprietary technology – perfectly filters signal voltages to eliminate interference and electrical noise coming from the AC mains system.

This approach relies on the use of inductors (also called “chokes” in English) which act as passive filters. Unlike capacitors, which store energy electrostatically, inductors store it in a magnetic field. Placed in series on the power rails, they oppose rapid current variations – precisely what characterizes high-frequency noise. Gold Note’s “dual choke” principle goes further by using two inductors working together, one on the positive rail and the other on the negative rail, thereby creating symmetry that further improves filtering.

The PSU-1000 is powered by a 5-transformer design, using 4 transformers for power supply and galvanic isolation and one for the Dual Choke inductor filter. This multiplication of transformers makes it possible to physically separate the various functions and avoid contamination between stages.

An uncompromising electrical architecture

Beyond Dual Choke technology, the PSU-1000 incorporates 5 low-noise voltage regulators. These components maintain a stable output voltage despite mains fluctuations or variations in the power draw of the connected device. The maximum output voltage variation does not exceed 0.05%, a remarkably low figure that reflects the precision of the regulation.

External power supplies perfectly filter the alternating current and suppress interference and electrical noise from the mains system, enabling the electronics to perform at their best. They ensure that the electronics always receive the optimal amount of power without generating EMI (electromagnetic interference) or RFI (radio-frequency interference) that could affect the audio signal through electromagnetic induction, electrostatic coupling, or conduction.

Line noise and common-mode noise rejection exceeds 80 dB. To put this figure into perspective: 80 dB corresponds to a reduction factor of 10,000. If the mains carries 1 volt of noise, the PSU-1000’s output will let through only 0.1 millivolt. The full-power response time of less than 2.5 microseconds enables the power supply to react instantly to consumption peaks, preventing any voltage sag during demanding musical passages.

Dynamic power exceeds 200 W, far beyond the maximum power draw of 100 W, thus providing comfortable headroom. In standby, power consumption is limited to 1 W, in line with current energy efficiency standards.

Installation and phase control

Installing the PSU-1000 is straightforward and takes only a few quick steps: switch off the main power on the Gold Note 1000 series unit and unplug its power cord, connect the power supply to the mains outlet using the supplied power cord, connect the power supply to the unit using the supplied PSU Link cable, then switch on the main power on the rear panel of the power supply.

The included one-meter connection cable allows you to position the PSU-1000 close to the powered component while maintaining a reasonable distance. For best performance, it is recommended to place the power supply at a sensible distance from other audio electronics. This precaution prevents the magnetic fields generated by the PSU-1000’s transformers from affecting the sensitive circuits of other components.

Pressing the Phase button will invert the phase 0°/180°, and the Status LED will change color from blue to red (inverted phase). This absolute phase control makes it possible to correct any polarity inversions that may have occurred during recording or mastering, thereby restoring the phase coherence of the musical signal.

The power supply automatically accepts 100–120 V or 220–240 V, 50/60 Hz, adapting to electrical grids worldwide without manual intervention. This automatic detection simplifies use when moving internationally or lending gear between systems.

With dimensions of 430 × 135 × 360 mm and a weight of 20 kg, the PSU-1000 has an imposing footprint that reflects the density of its internal components. Available in black, silver, or gold brushed aluminum, it aesthetically matches the other 1000 series components thanks to the characteristic vents machined into the chassis.

Technical specifications

Architecture and design

• Sophisticated design with double choke-coil inductive filtering on the analog stage
• 5 transformers in total
  • 4 transformers dedicated to the power stage and galvanic isolation
  • 1 transformer for the inductive filter
• 5 low-noise voltage regulators to ensure a stable, interference-free power supply
• Maximum reduction of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI)

Electrical performance

• Maximum output voltage variation: 0.05%
• Line noise rejection: > 80 dB
• Common-mode noise rejection: > 80 dB
• Full-power response time: < 2.5 µs

Power supply and consumption

• Mains voltage: 100–120 V / 220–240 V with automatic detection, 50 / 60 Hz
• Maximum power consumption: 100 W
• Dynamic power: > 200 W
• Standby consumption: 1 W
• Fuse: 3.15 A F

Control and features

• Selectable absolute phase control from the front panel

Physical characteristics

• Dimensions (W × H × D): 430 × 135 × 360 mm
• Connection cable: 1 m
• Net weight: 20 kg
• Shipping weight: 25 kg