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Gold Note ph-10
PH-10 is an ultra-versatile phono preamplifier with unique features, including EQ curve, load and gain adjustment: a fully analogue design crafted with the best components to recreate the musical event in the most natural way possible. To control PH-10 Gold Note has developed the intuitive Single Knob Control (SKC) which, in combination with the color display, allows to quickly adjust any function without interrupting the audio playback. The PH-10 allows selecting the most appropriate equalization curve for each record: RIAA, DECCA LONDON or AMERICAN COLUMBIA, through the menu present on the display. Thanks to our proprietary technology, inspired by the Neumann Cutting Lathe, each curve can be further enhanced with the “enhanced” function.
Nine different loading options [10Ω, 22Ω, 47Ω, 100Ω, 220Ω, 470Ω, 1000Ω, 22KΩ, 47KΩ] and four different gain options selectable [0dB, ± 3dB, +6dB] allow you to accurately adjust the preamplifier and get the best sound experience with any type of MM and MC cartridge. Through the two separate RCA inputs, it is possible to connect two different arms to PH-10, each with independently adjustable settings that can be saved in memory even when the unit is off, ensuring extreme flexibility and intuitiveness. To maximize the performance of PH-10 Gold Note has developed PSU-10, an external super inductive power supply that allows the phono stage to fully express its potential, restoring with extreme realism, three-dimensionality and precision the sound of vinyl.
The PSU-10 is the dedicated external power supply for PH-10, a linear power supply with inductive dual-choke filter. It’s the best way to elevate the performance of your PH-10.
The PH-10 is also compatible with the PSU-5, the external power supply derived from the PSU-10 and developed for the PH-5.
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Professional Reviews 91/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
90/100
Cartridge Compatibility
95/100
Build Quality
90/100
Value for Money
93/100
The Gold Note PH-10 brings a near-silent backdrop, transparent detail and gently warm, weighty midrange to vinyl replay. Its front-panel TFT makes extensive cartridge loading, gain and EQ tailoring remarkably immediate, while dual MM/MC inputs suit ambitious turntable setups. The Absolute Sound highlights its musical, pleasure-first balance; The Audiophile Man praises the calm clarity, open staging and textured vocals.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptionally flexible cartridge matching, with two independently configurable MM/MC inputs, four gain settings and nine loading options.
Quiet, clear and musically inviting presentation, combining neutral transparency with welcome midrange weight.
Clear front-panel display and single-knob control make on-the-fly adjustments far easier than DIP-switch configuration.
&
Cons
MM playback was judged slightly less polished, with a little more edge than the MC input.
Ultimate dynamic impact is slightly softened beside substantially more expensive phono stages.
The optional PSU-10 offers a significant performance lift but adds considerable cost.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
Reviewers find the PH-10 notably quiet, clear and musically engaging, combining a broadly neutral presentation with welcome midrange weight and warmth. Its strongest traits are its low-level resolution, relaxed but informative balance, and ability to reveal space; only the ultimate dynamic snap and stage scale draw qualified reservations.
Transparency Noise Floor
92/100
The Ear reports “inky black silence” with no record playing, while The Audiophile Man heard a low-noise output that brought listeners into the music. Positive Feedback also found groove noise and distortion receding into a quiet background while resolution and insight remained intact.
Tonal Balance Musicality
91/100
The Absolute Sound describes a transparent, neutral presentation with a slightly warm tone and weighty midrange, while other reviewers praise emotive vocals, textured instruments and sublime treble. The presentation is more modern and controlled than overtly euphonic, and The Audiophile Man found MM playback slightly more edged and less assured than the MC input.
Dynamics
88/100
Reviewers heard engaging, forward-moving bass, clearly conveyed cello power, and strong clarity and dynamics through the midrange, especially with the optional PSU-10. The Audiophile Man nevertheless found the furthest edge of the dynamic range slightly softened compared with substantially more expensive phono stages.
Soundstage Imaging
87/100
The PH-10 lets detail flower across a neutral, uncluttered stage and allows listeners to explore its interior easily. Positive Feedback found imaging reasonably three-dimensional but not unusually expansive, while The Ear noted that the Decca curve's added air could come with a slight reduction in perceived soundstage.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Cartridge Compatibility
95/100
Two independently configurable inputs accept MM and MC cartridges, making the PH-10 especially useful for turntables with two arms or regularly changed cartridges. Four gain settings and nine loading choices from 10 ohms to 47k ohms cover an unusually broad range, with settings accessible from the front-panel display while music is playing.
Build Quality
90/100
The Absolute Sound calls the fit and finish excellent, and The Ear describes a weighty chassis machined from a solid block of aluminium. Reviewers also praise the clear TFT display and single-knob interface for making the extensive adjustment options straightforward rather than cumbersome.
Value for Money
93/100
At reviewed prices around £1,136–£1,350 and $1,390–$1,599, reviewers repeatedly regard the PH-10 as strongly featured and well priced for its class. The Audiophile Man calls it a value-for-money design, while Positive Feedback says its feature set betters most stages costing many times more; the optional PSU-10 adds considerable expense but was considered a worthwhile investment by The Ear.
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- 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)
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- Analog Matters — online and in-store — Ormond Beach, Florida, United States (website)
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- Anquan — online and in-store — Glika Nera, Greece (website)
- ARK Audio — online and in-store — Borensberg, Östergötlands län, Sweden (website)
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