Gold Note PH-10 and PSU-10 questions

[tony22]

I was given a chance to try a friend’s Gold Note phono pre with the PSU-10 power supply. I figured there’s no chance it will be as good as my Pass XP-17, but who am I to give up the opportunity to try something different?

First things first - I’m actually a bit surprised at how decent it is. I’m not sure yet if it’s better than the Pass, but I can’t say that it’s significantly lesser. No it doesn’t have the wonderful multiplicity of gain and loading settings, but it does have the neat ability to change equalization curves, and it has two inputs (which is great for me!). Now to my questions.

Anyone else have one?
Does anyone have the latest FW, FW installation SW for Windows, and instructions? This unit is pretty old and Gold Note no longer seems to have any of that stuff on their site.
Any opinions on this preamp in the grand scheme of sub $10K phono pres?

 

[FatsoJoe]

Yes I have heard both. My opinion is that they are both very good. It is a choice of features and preferences. Of course most importantly is the matching with other system equipment.

 

[tony22]

Thank you Joe. After listening to the GN for a couple of weeks I have determined that for me, in my system, my preference remains with my Pass XP-17. The GN is a very nice value for the money, and may work for others in their systems.

 

[FatsoJoe]

You're'welcome Tony. Happy to be of assistance..

 

[foxtan]

I have been using the Gold Note PH10/PSU10 for a few years, it was using with the Pass Labs XP20 / X250.5, and now the Constellation Audio Preamp 1.0/ Stereo 1.0, the Gold Note may not be the excellent phono pre combo, in terms of the price, and features, it really one of the great contender of sub USD5000 price range.

My primary cartridge is the Van Den Hul Crimson Elite, the other cartridge I usally use are Van Den Hul Black Beauty, Supex SD-909, SAEC C1, Ortofon MC Rondo Bronze, Benz Micro Gullwings, AKG P100LE, Denon DL-103FL......... I do have the cartridge from Dynavector, Techincs, Supex, SAEC, Fidelity Research, Ortofon, Stanton, Shure, Denon, Decca London, for collection.

The Gold Note combo work well with all of my collection, no matter is MC or MM or MI. It really need to pay attention with the power cable and interconnect matching with it, I have tried powercord from Shunyata, Siltech, Nordost, AET , I am settled with the AET with best tonal balance and performance. For interconnect, I have tried Zu Cable, Cyrstal Cable, Siltech, and now settled with Zu Audio Event. The PH10 in balance mode is much better than in Single-ended.

 

[earl3090]

I also have been using the Gold Note for a few years now and it acquits itself pretty well. I have a Benz LPS and a Lyra Titan i going into it. My Sumile and Onyx Platinum go into my Vac phonostage. I’ll probably only replace it if I can’t ultimately bring myself to sell my XV-1t, forcing me to add a 4th arm to my TW. The features/convenience of GN make it hard to give up in my setup.

 

[tony22]

Oh believe me, I absolutely loved the convenience of the PH-10. It just came down to the XP-17 being better for me in my system. I decided it was worth living with its inconvenience just a bit longer while I search for an alternative.