Gold Note PH-10 – Phono Stage

Precision vinyl playback with outstanding flexibility. The Gold Note PH-10 is a sophisticated MM/MC phono stage that combines Italian design flair with serious engineering. With dual inputs for two turntables, selectable EQ curves, extensive loading and gain options plus balanced outputs, it is designed to extract the very best from any cartridge.

• Two fully independent MM/MC inputs for dual turntable or arm setups
• Three selectable EQ curves (RIAA, Decca London, American Columbia) each with Enhanced mode
• Nine loading values and four gain settings for perfect cartridge matching
• RCA and XLR outputs with high dynamic range and very low noise

Product Overview

The Gold Note PH-10 is a high-performance phono preamplifier designed to be the control center of demanding analogue systems. Its dual-mono architecture and super linear power supply provide a quiet, stable platform for low-level cartridge signals, while the intuitive front-panel control and color display make adjustments quick and repeatable.

Two independent RCA phono inputs allow you to connect and configure two tonearms or turntables at once, each with its own loading, gain and EQ settings stored in memory. This makes the PH-10 ideal for systems that mix MM and MC cartridges or use different arms for different musical flavours.

Listening Experience

The PH-10 delivers a clean, dynamic and highly engaging listening experience. Noise levels are extremely low, allowing quiet passages and ambience to emerge from a black background. Transients are fast and precise, while the overall presentation remains fluid and natural rather than clinical.

The Enhanced EQ options extend bandwidth and dynamics, giving extra air, scale and energy to well-recorded pressings. Bass is firm and controlled, mids are open and expressive, and treble is detailed yet refined, making the PH-10 equally at home with acoustic jazz, rock, classical or electronic music.

System Integration and Cartridge Matching

Engineered for maximum versatility, the PH-10 makes cartridge matching straightforward and precise. Its wide input sensitivity range (from low-output MC up to high-output MM), nine selectable load impedances and four gain settings allow you to fine-tune the interface with almost any cartridge on the market.

Capacitance is optimized for MM use, while MC cartridges benefit from the lower impedance options and higher gain structure. Balanced and unbalanced outputs provide flexible connection to integrated amplifiers, preamps or active speakers, with fixed line levels suited to most modern systems.

Ideal Applications

• High-end stereo systems built around one or two turntables
• Setups using both MM and MC cartridges with different requirements
• Listeners wanting selectable EQ curves for historic or varied pressings
• Analogue-focused systems seeking a low-noise, highly configurable phono stage

Technical Specifications

• Type: MM/MC phono preamplifier with front-panel control and display
• Analogue inputs: 2 × independent stereo RCA (MM/MC configurable)
• Input sensitivity: 0.1 mV MC up to 10.0 mV MM
• Input impedance: 9 selectable options – 10Ω, 22Ω, 47Ω, 100Ω, 220Ω, 470Ω, 1000Ω, 22kΩ, 47kΩ
• Gain: 45 dB (MM) to 65 dB (MC) with 4 settings [–3 dB, 0 dB, +3 dB, +6 dB]
• Capacitance (MM only): 220 pF
• EQ curves: RIAA, Decca London, American Columbia – each with Enhanced option
• Infrasonic filter: 10 Hz / 36 dB per octave
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (Enhanced up to 50 kHz) @ ±0.3 dB
• THD: < 0.05% @ 1 kHz
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 89 dB
• Dynamic range: 105 dB
• Audio outputs: 1 × RCA unbalanced, 1 × XLR balanced
• Line output level (fixed): RCA 2 V, XLR 4 V
• Output impedance: 50Ω
• Power consumption: approx. 10 W, < 0.5 W in standby
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 200 × 80 × 260 mm
• Weight: approx. 3 kg (net)
• Finish options: brushed aluminium in black, silver or gold
• Upgrade path: compatible with external PSU-10 or PSU-5 power supplies

Why Choose the Gold Note PH-10?

The Gold Note PH-10 is an exceptional choice for vinyl enthusiasts who want a phono stage that can evolve with their system. Its dual inputs, wide range of loading and gain options, selectable EQ curves and balanced outputs make it both highly flexible and sonically sophisticated. In a single compact chassis, it delivers the precision, dynamics and musicality needed to reveal just how good your records and cartridges can sound.