89%
Gold Note pa-1175-mkii
Class AB power amplifier perfectly matched to a wide variety of loudspeakers, thanks to the selectable damping factor. The proprietary optical BIAS offers high power combined with very low distortion: it controls the reference voltage with great precision and stability compared to traditional systems. The optical signal analysis takes place separately from the audio path, ensuring loudspeaker protection and unbeatable performance. The PA-1175 MkII is designed to minimise all kinds of RFI and EMI interference, taking advantage of the thick aluminium panels featuring the typical Gold Note design.
BTL [Bridge-Tied-Load] technology allows the stereo amplifier to be bridged, transforming it into a mono power amp and increasing its power output from 200W@8Ω per channel to the considerable 520W@8Ω per channel. Thanks to this feature, the most demanding loudspeakers on the market can be easily driven.
The PA-1175 MkII power transformer is a special toroidal design featuring a spiral core. The refined mechanical process makes the core completely stable, cancelling out any mechanical vibrations and guaranteeing exceptional performance and perfect isolation. A small secondary transformer takes care of all auxiliary functions to preserve the audio signal.
The PA-1175 MkII also features a proprietary technology that allows the damping factor to be selected directly from the front panel, enabling all types of loudspeakers to be driven.
Setting the damping factor to 250DF allows the full potential of large, low-sensitivity loudspeakers to be exploited, while the value at 25DF is a perfect match for high-efficiency loudspeakers or small monitors that do not like the high current output of large amplifiers.
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Professional Reviews 89/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
89/100
Build Quality
91/100
Value for Money
87/100
The Gold Note PA-1175 MkII delivers clean, neutral authority, combining 200W per channel with adjustable damping for tight bass control and exceptionally quiet, layered detail. HomeTheaterHifi praised its natural timbres and dynamics, while Dagogo found bridged operation especially rewarding for greater bass weight and scale.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Clean, neutral, low-distortion sound with natural vocals and instruments plus excellent dynamics.
Selectable damping factor provides firm bass control and useful speaker-matching flexibility.
Bridged mono operation brings greater scale and low-end authority.
Exceptionally low noise, precise image sorting, and clearly layered separation.
&
Cons
Its tightly controlled, analytical voicing can sound cool, aloof, or less fluid than warmer alternatives.
BTL switching and widely spaced positive terminals can make mono setup awkward and may require speaker cables with longer leads.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 89/100
Reviewers find the PA-1175 MkII notably clean, neutral, controlled and highly resolved, with natural instrumental and vocal timbres. Its more analytical, tightly disciplined presentation is a recurring character trait: impressive for precision and separation, though one reviewer wanted more flow, bass weight and textural generosity.
Transparency Resolution
91/100
The amplifier is repeatedly described as clean, low in distortion, detailed and transparent. 6 Moons particularly praised its exceptionally precise sorting, very low self-noise and clearly layered separation, although it also found the presentation could become somewhat aloof or subtly glassy.
Tonal Balance Musicality
84/100
HomeTheaterHifi heard a neutral presentation with convincingly natural voices, violins, piano and saxophone. In contrast, 6 Moons consistently found the sound cool, taut and disciplined, wishing for greater fluidity, warmth and colour; Dagogo also noted that stereo operation draws attention toward an especially appealing midrange.
Dynamics
89/100
The substantial power supply and 200W-per-channel Class A/B output support strong, clean dynamics, and HomeTheaterHifi explicitly called its dynamics excellent. Bridging was reported to sound bigger and juicier, with more low-end fortitude, though 6 Moons found very low bass somewhat reluctant in its setup even in mono mode.
Soundstage Imaging
91/100
Spatial performance is a major strength in the available listening reports. 6 Moons heard exceptionally precise image sorting and very clear layered separation, while HomeTheaterHifi found large-scale classical material especially convincing.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
Reports describe a seriously engineered amplifier, citing its substantial transformer, large capacitor reserve, mechanically isolated supply and exceptionally solid, screw-free enclosure. Balanced and unbalanced inputs, heavy binding posts, selectable damping factor and 520W bridged operation add real versatility, although one reviewer found the widely spaced positive terminals in bridged mode inconvenient for many speaker cables.
Value for Money
87/100
At roughly $6,800-$10,000 depending on market and configuration, it is positioned as a premium power amplifier. HomeTheaterHifi acknowledged that cheaper alternatives exist but judged its performance indisputable and its build outstanding, supporting the case for its asking price; the other reviews offer little direct comparison with same-price rivals.
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Authorized dealers for Gold Note pa-1175-mkii
- 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)
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