The Gold Note PH-10 phono stage is designed and built by Maurizio Aterni (CEO and Founder) and Giovani Rialti (Chief Engineer) in Montespertoli (Florence) Italy. With a host for features including various equalisation curves and nine load impedances, MM and MC inputs the Gold Note PH-10 becomes a very versatile unit. Available in silver, black or gold finishes, the non-magnetic anodised aluminium is milled from a solid piece of metal.

On powering up, you are greeted with a bright 2.8” TFT screen which displays the status of the unit (this can be switched off once your preferred settings have been found). By using the single control knob you can set the Gold Note PH-10 to match almost any cartridge thus giving the best possible sound and enjoyment from your vinyl records. This can also be useful for changing and fine tuning “on the fly”. No awkward dip switches here! As well as the adjustments for gain and impedance there is also a choice of three equalisation curves. All modern LP’s use the RIAA curve, however some older pressings like Decca/London or American CBS/Columbia would have been recorded using a different curve. For example some of the early Decca SXL pressings using the Decca/London setting sounded more airy in the higher frequencies.

On the back of the unit we have a selection of two inputs. We have the two RCA phono inputs both of which can be set to MM or MC, complimented by their individual grounding posts. Outputs consist of a pair of balanced XLR and a pair of unbalanced RCA. Also there is a 8-pin socket for adding the PSU10 power supply, a micro USB for future software upgrades and finally the IEC mains socket with the master on/off switch. The unit can be switched to standby from the from panel.

As well as following closely the curves of the three record standards this unit even allows you to select an “enhanced” curve following the Neumann 3.18us/50kHz single pole filter. This gives a more exciting sound at higher frequencies. A dotted red line on the display shows when this is selected. This is very effective at giving some extra life to dull sounding pressings

While listening to this Gold Note PH-10 phono stage we found nothing but pleasure. We could find no vices, just music delivered the way we love to hear it. It had our toes tapping and bought many a smile to our faces. With 6 EQ patterns, 4 choices of gain and 9 impedance settings this new baby from Gold Note is an amazing product. You can get speed, depth, detail and transparency from your vinyl, a sound that belies its price point