Easily done, we can even switch damping on the fly. Experimentation with one’s own setup is the order of the day. Low damping – at 25 more akin to valve amplifiers – possibly (but not always) better for smaller speakers. Measured as the ratio between the loudspeaker impedance and the amplifier’s output impedance, the PA-10’s default is 250 (high), suitable for large or difficult-to-drive speakers according to Gold Note. You’ll need two for stereo – so twice the cost – but the payback is four times the power: 300wpc into 8Ω (600wpc into 4Ω, 1200wpc into 2Ω).įurther flexibility comes with variable damping – the control an amplifier exerts over the speakers – achieved by changing the output impedance of the amplifier. Need (or want) more power? Dip a rear-mounted switch and the PA-10 transforms into monoblock. Enough for average-to-high sensitivity loudspeakers. In stereo mode, it’s specified at 75wpc into 8Ω (150wpc into 4Ω, 300wpc into 2Ω).

The PA-10 is a 200x80x260mm (WHD) Class A/D hybrid power amplifier. Gold Note supplied 2 x PA-10 so I could try both stereo and mono modes. Does the small PA-10 match the DS-10 on sonic prowess? Or has something had to give to reach this price/size point? And how does it fare in a non-Gold Note environment? Can it thrive with other manufacturer’s equipment or does it need the comfort blanket of its siblings? This two-fer’s combined price of £3800 is within luxury lifestyle-system territory. ( There is no reward point program for enduring poor outward aesthetics when pursuing better sound – Ed). The two look like natural bedfellows: a compact and stylish hi-fi system that even the most reluctant audiophiles would covert. That positivity has since grown in recent weeks with the addition of the DS-10’s stablemate, the PA-10 power amplifier (£1264 / $1699 / €1390). Combining small form factor with broad functionality and excellent sound quality, the DS-10 made a positive impression. It’s been a few months since we looked at Gold Note’s £2500 DS-10 streaming preamplifier (review here).

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