92%
Gold Note ds-10-evo
The DS-10 EVO is a versatile and innovative streaming DAC, equipped with a state-of-the-art D/A converter, a line preamplifier and a headphone amplifier. In addition to its numerous connectivity options, it also features high-definition Bluetooth and a professional headphone output. The DS-10 EVO supports high-resolution files, such as MQA and DSD (up to DSD512 over USB), to provide an unparalleled digital music listening experience. The DS-10 EVO’s technology is housed in a compact aluminium chassis, making this unit the perfect addition to any modern High-End audio system.
With the DS-10 EVO, you can stream music via Roon, Airplay, Tidal, MQA, Qobuz, Spotify, vTuner and Deezer, access a collection of digital music stored locally on a NAS or USB flash drive, or from a smartphone or tablet, via the GN Control app (available for free on iOS and Android) and directly from the Tidal application thanks to the implementation of Tidal Connect. Furthermore, the DS-10 EVO is Roon Ready and compatible with all UPnP/DLNA and Airplay 2.0 services. It can be connected to the network using Wi-Fi or Ethernet port and, at the same time, to a power amplifier or active speakers to explore the limitless possibilities of high-resolution music.
The DS-10 EVO features a unique function that sets it apart from any other DAC, making it extremely flexible: it is possible to modify the DAC profile to adapt it to the music being played, without degrading the audio signal and maintaining the highest quality, by acting on the de-emphasis parameters, on the low-pass digital filters and the DSD filter. These parameters can be adjusted in real-time during playback, quickly and intuitively thanks to the dedicated menu and the TFT display.
On the 2.8″ TFT display, it is possible to quickly view all the available functions and manage them via the SKC (Single Knob Control) knob located on the front panel, the Gold Note remote control or the dedicated GN Control App.
GN Control shows on a smartphone or tablet all the information regarding the track being played, such as the format and resolution, while the user experience is super intuitive thanks to a cutting-edge interface and the possibility of performing firmware updates directly from the internet.
Roon Ready devices have integrated Roon streaming technology and are certified by Roon Labs to provide the highest level of quality and performance in high-resolution streaming.
ROON READY
Being Roon Ready means that Gold Note uses Roon streaming technology, for an incredible user interface, simple setup, rock-solid daily reliability, and the highest levels of audio performance, without compromise.
TIDAL CONNECT
With Tidal Connect you can stream music directly from the Tidal app (available on iOS and Android).
AUDIRVĀNA
Plays with Audirvāna products are certified to play music from Audirvāna over USB or network with the best level of integration and audio performance.
QOBUZ CONNECT
With Qobuz Connect you can stream music directly from the Qobuz app (available on iOS and Android).
The PSU-10 EVO is the dedicated external power supply for DS-10, DS-10 PLUS, DS-10 EVO, and DS-10 EVO LINE.
Take your DS-10 to the next level with improved details and realism.
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
Professional Reviews 92/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
88/100
Features Connectivity
94/100
Value for Money
92/100
The Gold Note DS-10 EVO pairs rich tonal colour with taut rhythmic control and a remarkably deep, stable soundstage. hi-fi+ found its musicality and instrumental layering especially compelling, while the compact platform brings extensive streaming, DAC and optional preamp capability. A quiet, flexible digital hub that puts performance ahead of sterile hi-fi effects.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Musically engaging, well-balanced sound with taut control, tuneful drive and compelling instrumental layering.
Quiet, dimensional presentation delivers stable images, convincing depth and strong soundstage definition.
Exceptionally versatile compact front end, combining streaming, DAC, optional preamp functionality, headphone output and broad digital connectivity.
Chameleon settings offer unusually extensive scope to tailor tonal balance and DAC behaviour to a system or room.
&
Cons
Control and setup can be fiddly, particularly around app selection and firmware updating.
Windows USB driver performance was reported as buggy with some high-resolution PCM and DSD material.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers describe a notably musical, richly toned presentation that avoids a sterile resolution-first character, while retaining convincing layering, depth and image stability. It is also praised for quiet operation and strong clarity, though a few usability and format-reporting issues sit outside its core sonic strengths.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
93/100
Audiophilepure found the tonal balance “just about spot-on” and particularly admired how the DS-10 EVO brings musical elements together to illuminate a performance. Hi-fi+ called its musical nature compelling and answered “a resounding yes” to whether it makes the listener want to keep listening; 6 Moons likewise found it rich in tonality and highly capable of communicating emotion.
Resolution and Detail
91/100
What Hi-Fi described the DAC's performance as “magisterial,” praising thrilling instrumental clarity and extraordinary transparency through sensitive earphones. Audiophilepure heard compelling instrumental layering, depth and stable images, although it usefully notes that resolution serves the music's tuneful exuberance rather than calling attention to itself.
Digital Performance
90/100
Audiophilepure found the unit very quiet, helping it portray instrumental perspectives with exceptional stability, while 6 Moons could not distinguish wireless from wired playback in its listening. What Hi-Fi reported that MQA material sounded fine, but also encountered buggy Windows drivers; Audiophilepure separately found the app and front-panel MQA/sample-rate reporting confusing on some material.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
88/100
The compact aluminium chassis is described by What Hi-Fi as being machined from quite thick sheets, and Audiophilepure called it a stoutly built piece of kit with an immediate feel of quality. 6 Moons also praised the internal organization and component grouping intended to avoid mutual interference, though the reviews offer little on long-term durability.
Features Connectivity
94/100
This is an unusually complete digital hub: USB, coaxial, AES/EBU and dual optical inputs join Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB storage, balanced and single-ended outputs, a headphone socket, and optional preamplifier functionality. It supports high-resolution PCM and DSD512, MQA, Roon Ready streaming, a clear TFT display, remote control and extensive Chameleon configuration options; What Hi-Fi found operation somewhat fiddly, however.
Value for Money
92/100
At roughly £2,499 for the DAC/streamer and £2,999 with preamplifier functionality, hi-fi+ considered its extensive feature set in a half-width enclosure very reasonably priced. Audiophilepure called it a solid investment, while 6 Moons regarded it as a four-in-one component of the highest standards for its price range.
Reviews
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
All Dealers
Zoom out the map to see more dealers
Authorized dealers for Gold Note ds-10-evo
- Holt Hill — online and in-store — Andover, Massachusetts, United States (website)
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
- Altitudo Audio — online and in-store — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (website)
- Ambiance Concert — in-store — Angers, Pays de la Loire, France (website)
- Analog Matters — online and in-store — Ormond Beach, Florida, United States (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Anquan — online and in-store — Glika Nera, Greece (website)
- ARK Audio — online and in-store — Borensberg, Östergötlands län, Sweden (website)
and 100 more verified dealers