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Gold Note hp-10
The HP-10 is our brand new high-end headphone amplifier designed for discerning audiophiles, featuring a Dual-Mono Class-A balanced design that preserves signal purity and delivers exceptional audio quality. It supports any type of headphones thanks to its 4 headphone outputs, the extensive features and powerful output.
The audio path is designed entirely in the analogue domain and through high-quality discrete components. All settings applied in real-time in the analog domain. Combining top-notch audio quality, versatile connectivity, and unique features, the HP-10 is an outstanding amplifier at an unbeatable price.
The HP-10 features a touchscreen display with an intuitive interface that allows for quick adjustments and a super easy user experience. Ideal for all high-end systems, the HP-10 offers incredible options such as 4 Crossfeed modes for a natural 3D soundstage, Harman curve equalisation, variable gain and damping factor, along with a 0/180° phase switch.
The unit is available in two different models – with the additional digital inputs such as the Bluetooth 5.1 HD aptX and a premium DAC with USB-C input (HP-10 Deluxe) to become a fully standalone unit.
REMOTE, TOUCHSCREEN AND ROTARY KNOB
The HP-10 can controlled with the included remote control, the touchscreen display and the rotary knob to offer the best possible experience. With the remote control you can adjust every setting while listening to your headphones comfortably seated in your favourite spot.
The HP-10 features a trigger IN/OUT connection to let you switch on the rest of your system in synch with the headphone amplifier.
BYPASS
In a system made up of several elements including a preamp, the bypass function of the HP-10 allows you to leave the wiring of the system unchanged and use either the HP-10 or the preamp for loudspeakers listening.
The bypass function is automatically activated by selecting one of the 4 headphone outputs (not the REAR output) on the HP-10 and then putting the unit into standby mode (red led) by pressing and holding down the SKC or display for 3 seconds or pressing the power button on the remote control.
Please note: for the bypass to work correctly, it is necessary that the source and the preamp connected to the HP-10 use the same type of wiring (RCA/XLR).
EXPLORING THE FEATURES
The HP-10 comes with an incredible wealth of features to let you customise your listening experience completely, opening a new era for the headphone lovers.
Studio is our innovative set of features that pushes your headphones to the next level, fully implemented in the analogue domain to provide the best audio quality.
- Crossfeed mixes L/R channels to recreate a sound stage, as if listening to loudspeakers.
- Harman Curve optimises the EQ for listening with headphones.
- Superflat linearises the response for the highs.
- DF adjusts the Damping factor perfectly matching your headphones.
Balance allows you to control the volume of the L/R channels to ensure a personalised listening experience according to your auditory needs. This is a crucial feature since the headphones’ drivers are hard to match perfectly.
All models feature balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) inputs. The HP-10 DELUXE features also Bluetooth 5.1 HD aptX and a USB-C digital input. The digital inputs available on the DELUXE model allow you to stream your music directly from a smartphone, tablet or computer.
A vast range of outputs allows you to use the HP-10 with your favourite headphones – unbalanced (3.5 mm, 6.3 mm) and balanced (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR) connectors are available on the front panel.
You can also select the line outputs to send audio to the RCA/XLR outputs and use the HP-10 as your line preamp, while also applying all the Studio settings.
To give you maximum flexibility, you can play stereo or mono audio. You can also swap the L/R channels when in stereo. In mono, you can choose to listen to sum of the channels (L+R), or just one of the channels (L or R).
Discover moreGOLD NOTE HP-10 OPTIMAL SETTINGS FOR HEADPHONES
The PSU-10 EVO is the dedicated external power supply for products of the 10 series.
Take your HP-10 to the next level with improved details and realism.
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Gold Note hp-10 — precision, power and tunability
Gold Note's Class-A dual-mono hp-10 pairs surgical neutrality with an unusually rich set of analogue and digital controls. As observed by Thomas Kopanz, its treble clarity and midrange resolution reveal micro-detail without feeling clinical, while Marco Lisi highlights the unit's ability to lift reference tracks with emotion and focus. The hp-10 delivers wide headroom and lively dynamics; four analogue crossfeed modes and Harman-curve EQ let you tailor stage width and tonal balance. Built from milled anodised aluminium with a colour touchscreen and full remote, it supports balanced 4-pin XLR/4.4mm outs, USB-C (Deluxe) and aptX HD Bluetooth. Suited to demanding planars, studio tasks and discerning listeners, the hp-10 is a compact yet capable audiophile control centre with an optional PSU for further refinement.
Pros
- Exceptionally detailed and neutral presentation—high treble resolution and natural midrange that exposes micro-detail without harshness.
- Robust Class-A dual-mono output with ample headroom and dynamic control to drive demanding planar and high‑impedance headphones.
- Comprehensive feature set—adjustable crossfeed (four modes), Harman-curve EQ, variable damping/gain, multiple balanced outputs, USB-C AKM/ESS DAC options and aptX HD Bluetooth.
- Premium build and user interface: milled anodised aluminium chassis, generous cooling, colour touchscreen and a full multifunction remote for studio/home convenience.
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Cons
- No LDAC support and no coaxial S/PDIF input, which limits some wireless codec choices and legacy digital connectivity.
- Low-gain setting can still be too loud for very efficient in-ear monitors, making it less convenient for IEM users without attenuation.
- Top-tier performance benefits noticeably from the optional PSU‑10 EVO, which adds significant extra cost to the system.
Sound Quality
91/100
Multiple reviewers highlight substantial headroom and lively dynamics (6 Moons: "draws on seemingly limitless power reserves", "won't distort even at the highest levels"). The amp's Class-A dual-mono topology and reviewer impressions of punch and transient speed underpin a top-tier dynamics rating.
Noise Floor
88/100
Measured SNR of 110dB and reviewer comments describing the unit as quiet/low-noise (6 Moons: "rather quiet"; Best of High End cites SNR 110dB) point to a very low noise floor suitable for most IEMs and headphones. No reviewers reported audible hiss, so the HP-10 earns a high noise-floor score without claiming explicit 'reference-level' silence.
Headphone Compatibility
90/100
The HP-10 offers 10W max power, multiple balanced outputs (4-pin XLR and 4.4mm), variable damping factor and gain controls, and reviewers confirm it drives demanding models (Best of High End: DT1770 Pro MKII improvement; 6 Moons: ample reserves). Output-impedance data isn't specified in reviews/spec sheet, but power and balanced outputs support excellent compatibility across IEMs and planars.
Build Quality
90/100
Reviewers note high-quality workmanship and a solid milled/aluminium chassis with cooling slits and a stepped volume control (6 Moons: 'workmanship', 'brushed aluminium'; SoundStage: 'solid milled aluminium chassis'). The fit, finish and thoughtful thermal design justify a top build-quality score.
Features Connectivity
93/100
Feature set is comprehensive: multiple analogue and balanced outputs, USB-C (DSD512/768kHz on Deluxe), high-quality AKM AK4493 or ESS ES9023 DAC options, Bluetooth aptX HD 5.1, crossfeed, Harman-curve EQ, touchscreen and remote. The combination of premium DAC, balanced outputs, advanced analog tuning and modern digital inputs places it well into the well-featured-to-full-featured band (capped within allowed bounds).
Value for Money
90/100
Reviewers praise its feature set and performance relative to its price point (Best of High End calls out the price/positioning; 6 Moons lists retail price and PSU upgrade cost). Given the combination of Class-A dual-mono design, premium DAC option, extensive features and strong sonic performance, reviewers convey that the HP-10 is a justified premium purchase.
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