GOLD NOTE DS-10 EVO review in HiFi+

Gold Note is an Italian company that originally made their name with analogue equipment. Their DS-10 EVO is a streamer/DAC which can be supplied with or without an internal analogue preamplifier.

It sounds taut and controlled but never rhythmically over-rigid. Its tonal balance is just about spot-on and it never strays into that rather matter-of-fact sense of resolution-first music style that some streamer/DACs do. In fact, its resolving power tends to feel entirely subsidiary to its bouncing sense of tuneful exuberance for most of the time. But what I really enjoy about it is the way it puts all the musical elements together to highlight a performance. The top to bottom balance and certainly the way in which it can layer the instrumentation is compelling. Where some systems can bombard you with needlepoint resolution yet sound rather flat and uninteresting, the Gold Note has a real and attractive view of the soundstage and the shape of the music. It is also very quiet, which helps enormously and shows you perspectives and instrumental pictures and shapes with dimension and exceptional stability. It has real depth and in more ways than one. I admit to being surprised at how musically interesting this unassuming but highly efficient little machine is. I think it’s a great little package because it is always succinct and to the point. It sounds very good indeed and as a gateway to the world of music outside your living room I’d say its a pretty solid investment for anyone wanting to take that next step.
- Chris Thomas, HiFi+

Link to product: Gold Note DS-10 Evo
Link to review: Hi-Fi+