Gold Note - HP-10 BT - Headphone Amplifier

The new generation headphone amplifier

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 three different models – with the additional digital inputs such as the Bluetooth 5.1 HD aptX (HP-10 BT) and a premium DAC with USB-C input (HP-10 Deluxe) to become a fully standalone unit.

Model- HP-10 BT

Analogue inputs and digital inputs (Bluetooth aptX HD 5.1) with integrated DAC (ESS Sabre).

Connect your sources or stream directly from your smartphone, tablet or computer via Bluetooth.

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

Studio is Gold Note's 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

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.

Input

All models feature balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) inputs. The HP-10 BT features also Bluetooth 5.1 HD aptX. The HP-10 DELUXE additionally offers a USB-C digital input on top of the Bluetooth 5.1 HD aptX. The digital inputs available on the BT and DELUXE models allow you to stream your music directly from a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Output

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.

Mode

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).

SPECIFICATION

Main Features

• HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER: Class-A Dual/Mono
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz-20kHz ± 0.3dB
• THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) + N: 0,015% @ 1kHz
• SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio): 110dB
• D/A CONVERTER: ESS ES9023 (HP-10 BT), AKM AK4493 (HP-10 DELUXE)
• BLUETOOTH: 5.1 HD aptX (HP-10 DELUXE, HP-10 BT)
• CROSSFEED: Adjustable (full spectrum or lows / mids / highs)
• ANALOGUE EQ: Harman Curve, Superflat
• DAMPING FACTOR: Adjustable (High/Low)
• PHASE: Adjustable (0/180)
• IR RECEIVER: For multifunctional remote control
• DIMENSIONS: 200mm W | 80mm H | 260mm D
• WEIGHT: Kg. 3.5 – net, Kg. 4.5 – boxed
• Finishes: Black (Black anodised aluminium with a traditional brushed finish), Silver (Silver anodised aluminium with a traditional brushed finish), and Gold (Gold anodised aluminium with a traditional brushed finish).
• Remote: Multifunctional remote control included

Inputs & Outputs

• HEADPHONE OUTPUTS: 3,5mm jack (unbalanced); 6,3mm jack (unbalanced); 4,4mm jack (balanced); 4-pin XLR (balanced)
• LINE OUTPUTS: 1x unbalanced RCA, 1x balanced XLR
• ANALOGUE INPUTS: 1x unbalanced RCA (5 Vrms max), 1x balanced XLR (8 Vrms max)
• DIGITAL INPUTS: 1x USB-C up to DSD512, PCM 768kHz (HP-10 DELUXE); 5.1 HD aptX (HP-10 DELUXE, HP-10 BT)
• HEADPHONE POWER OUTPUT: 10W Max

Power

• POWER SUPPLY: 100-240V, 50/60Hz
• POWER CONSUMPTION: Max 25W
• FUSE: 3,15 AMP T

Upgrade

• EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY: PSU-10 EVO External Inductive Power Supply

Windows Drivers

• If you are using Windows, please download and install the dedicated driver for your PC
• If you are using Windows 11 and experiencing issues, please install the alternative driver