Gold Note DS-10, DS-10 PLUS Manual

PACKAGE CONTENT

• DS-10/PLUS
• 1 AC cable
• 1 Ethernet cable
• 1 Wi-Fi antenna
• Remote control + battery
• User manual

INTRODUCTION AND FEATURES

A MODERN AUDIO SOURCE FOR THE CONTEMPORARY AUDIOPHILE

The DS-10 is a versatile state-of-the-art streaming DAC designed for the contemporary audiophile and featuring a new generation D/A Converter, UPnP-DLNA Streamer, Line Preamplifier and Headphone Amplifier. The technology of the DS-10 is brilliantly enclosed in a compact-sized aluminium chassis and it's the perfect addition to a modern High-End audio system. Inspired by our acclaimed IS-1000 All-In-One unit, it combines its extended connectivity features with the exceptional high-resolution of the Bluetooth 5.0 - for the first time ever on a High-End audio product - and the impressive headphone double power GAIN output. The DS-10 PLUS is also equipped with an analogue input to become a complete preamplifier for analogue and digital sources, both the analogue line input and the preamp stage operate in a fully analogue way to preserve the purest audio quality (available on DS-10 PLUS only).

HIGH-END DAC AND NETWORK STREAMER

The DS-10 is a Roon Ready device with a quick plug&play set-up and multi-room capabilities. Simply connect it to your network using the Wi-Fi or the Ethernet port and to your power amplifier or active speakers, and get ready to explore the limitless possibilities of high-resolution music. Stream through Roon, Airplay, Tidal, MQA, Qobuz, Spotify and Deezer or access your collection of digital music stored locally on a NAS or a USB flash drive (DSD64 and PCM 24/192 on USB-A/LAN/WLAN, DSD512 and PCM 32/768 on USB-B), controlling the DS-10 with our easy to use GN Control App on your smartphone or tablet (available for free on iOS and Android).

LINE PREAMPLIFIER AND HEADPHONES AMP

The DS-10 is equipped with an on/off switchable High-End Analogue Preamp stage to enable the control of the analogue volume even through web players (when the Preamp stage is activated) and guarantee the best performance ever. The DS-10 also features a professional 6.3mm headphones output with two sensitivity levels (High/Low), a proprietary technology we developed to help get the best out of your headphones. With the additional analogue input (available on the PLUS model only) the DS-10 PLUS becomes the perfect integration between the Gold Note PH-10 phono stage and the PA-10 power amplifier.

DIGITAL CHAMELEON AUDIOPHILE DAC

The DS-10 has a unique feature that sets it apart from any other DAC, making it the most versatile DAC available today - three different profiles can be selected to fine-tune the performance of the DAC, which adapts to the music it's playing as a chameleon. For the first time ever, the DAC behaviour can be changed to adapt to the music played without modifying the audio signal and thus maintaining the highest audio quality, acting on the deemphasis, the low-pass digital filters and the amount of power applied to the circuits. Such profiles can be selected in real-time during music playback delivering a unique listening experience and ease of use thanks to the clear menu on the TFT display. It's time to enjoy the unprecedented listening pleasure that only the DS-10 can offer you.

EASY TO INSTALL, EASY TO SET UP

The DS-10 is a plug&play DAC that is easy and quick to set up in your system. Once it's connected to your network, it only needs a power amplifier or some active speakers and you are ready to start listening. All the functions available on the DS-10 are fully controlled through the SKC (Single Knob Control) and the dedicated App GN Control.

TOTAL CONTROL OVER YOUR MUSIC

With its large 2.8" TFT display you can quickly check all the functions of the DS-10 and control it using the dedicated App and our SKC (Single Knob Control) located on the front panel, or the Gold Note remote control. Our easy to use GN Control App displays all metadata, cover and other information registered on the track as well as the real resolution format on your smartphone or tablet (available for free on iOS and Android).

DURABLE DESIGN 100% MADE IN ITALY

Our products are designed to ensure the best experience of use and the DS-10 features a state-of-theart mechanical structure made of solid machined steel and thick aluminium. The high-quality materials used guarantee low-frequency resonance, feedback vibrational control and low magnetic inertial field.

GOLD NOTE MODULAR DESIGN

Thanks to the unique and innovative Gold Note modular design, the DS-10 can drive PSU-10 EVO, the dedicated external inductive power supply, to enhance its performance even more. If you are after uncompromising quality, check with your local dealer the availability of PSU-10 EVO and arrange a listening session.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

D/A Converter AKM AK4493 PCM up to 32bit/768kHz and DSD512 native

Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz +/-0.1dB

THD – Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.001% max

Signal to Noise ratio: -125dB

Dynamic range: 120dB

Output impedance: 50Ω

Preamp Stage Volume Control: enabled/disabled by remote

DIGITAL INPUTS

1x RCA coaxial PCM asynchronous up to 24bit/192kHz
2x TOS-optical PCM asynchronous up to 24bit/192kHz
1x AES/EBU XLR PCM asynchronous up to 24bit/192kHz
1x USB-A port to feed USB flash memories, FAT32/NTFS formatted playing DSD64 and PCM up to 24bit/192kHz
1 x USB-B asynchronous up to DSD512 and PCM up to 32bit/768kHz

ANALOGUE INPUT (DS-10 PLUS ONLY)

3.5mm mini jack

AUDIO OUTPUTS

DAC: Stereo RCA @1Volt and balanced XLR @2Volt

PREAMP: stereo RCA, balanced XLR; 1 headphone 6,3mm Jack on the front panel double gain

POWER

Multiple Transformer proprietary power supply

Power consumption: 30W
100-240V, 50/60Hz

Fuse 2A F

EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY

PSU-10 EVO:
external inductive multi transformer power supply (optional)

NETWORK CONNECTIVITY

LAN/WLAN (WiFi): 802.11b/g via RJ45 10/100Mbps socket

Bluetooth: High Definition 5.0 (44/16)

HIGH QUALITY STREAMING

Tidal, Qobuz, MQA, vTuner, Spotify, Deezer Airplay, Roon Ready

SUPPORTED AUDIO FORMATS (NETWORK)

PCM 24bit/192kHz:
AIFF (.aif, .aiff, .aifc)
ALAC
WAV (.wav) packed/unpacked
FLAC
MP3
DSD64: DSF, DFF
Apple Lossless
OGG
Monkey's

UpnP server must support DSD streaming in order to stream DSD files.

SUPPORTED MEDIA SERVERS

All UPnP / DLNA / Roon

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT

200 W x 80 H x 260 D mm

Weight: Kg. 4 net - Kg. 5 boxed

FINISHES

Brushed Aluminium available in Black, Silver or Gold

REMOTE CONTROL
Multifunctional remote control

APP

GN Control

FRONT PANEL

FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW
DS-10 is an innovative D/A Converter, Streamer with a High-End headphone amplifier and Bluetooth 5.0. Everything has been designed to provide the best experience and thanks to the exclusive SKC (Single Knob Control) the unit becomes a friendly plug-and-play source that can be fully controlled even without the remote.

All the information and features are easy to read and access on the display at any time, so you will also have complete control over the system.

REAR PANEL

REAR PANEL OVERVIEW
DS-10 features a wide selection of connections to offer the best versatility and become the core of a real High-End system that will deliver audio in true audiophile quality.

ANALOG LINE OUTPUT

1. RCA unbalanced
2. XLR balanced

DIGITAL INPUT

4. USB HOST (A type)
5. AES/EBU balanced
6. RCA COAX
7. USB-B type
8. TOS 1
9. TOS 2

POWER AND OTHERS

3. Ethernet

10. WPS WI-FI reset
11. WI-FI Antenna*
12. WI-FI led
13. AC plug IEC standard
14. GN Link connector
15. PSU IN
16. LINE-IN (only on DS-10 PLUS)

* PLEASE NOTE: the antenna must be mounted

SELECT FUNCTIONS

TURNING ON/OFF DS-10

To turn on/off the unit, press and hold the knob for 3 seconds.

HOW TO SELECT THE FUNCTIONS

1. press the knob once to activate the SELECTION FRAME
2. turn the knob left or right until the desired function is highlighted by in white then press the knob to select it
3. the frame will turn red: now you can turn the knob to change the function
4. press the knob again when the desired value is set to confirm and exit the selection

REMOTE CONTROL

USING THE REMOTE CONTROL
DS-10 is supplied with a Gold Note remote control to help you conveniently operate the DAC without even touching the knob located on the frontal panel.

With the remote control you can fully access every function just like you would when using the knob.

The GN remote control can be used to control more than one unit. To control each unit the correct mode must be selected on the remote.

OVERVIEW DS-10 FEATURES

FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS

DS-10 was developed using proprietary technologies and features designed to offer the best audiophile sound quality but also to achieve ease of use and versatility in order to always deliver a great performance with a large variety of loudspeakers.

SELECTABLE PARAMETERS

THE CHAMELEON DAC

Thanks to its 192 different setup options, DS-10 has the ability to completely blend in with different music genres, giving the listener the opportunity to adapt the behaviour of the unit to the music playing, to one's stereo system and most of all to the listener's taste.

The combination of Equalisation Curve (low pass filter), De-emphasis curve and Power give each device its character and specific sonic profile as well as being the means by which a digital-analogue converter affects the sound.

Other than the DACs on the market, equipped with only one sonic profile, DS-10 allows modifying and storing these parameters in real time through 3 presets.

ACCESS THE PRESET MENU

To access the PRESET menu one can either use the remote control or the rotary knob on the front panel of the DS-10.

• By remote control: use the left and right arrow keys to browse the functions visible on the display. Select the word SETUP and push the ENTER key (central key with GN logo) to confirm and access the PRESET menu.
• By rotary knob: turn the knob to browse the functions, select the word SETUP and push the knob to confirm and access the PRESET menu.

CUSTOMISE YOUR LISTENING

It's really easy to select a PRESET and modify its parameters:

• By remote control: use the left and right arrow keys to browse the menu, push the ENTER key to select a parameter. When the selected parameter turns grey it can be changed: use the arrow keys to increase or decrease its value. Press the ENTER key to confirm the selected value. Repeat this operation for all parameters. Select the word OK and press ENTER to save the changes. Select the word CANCEL to undo the changes and return to the main screen.
• By rotary knob: turn the knob to browse the menu, push the knob to select a parameter. When the selected parameter turns grey it can be changed turning the knob to increase or decrease its value. Press the knob to confirm the selected value. Repeat this operation for all parameters. Select the word OK and press the knob to save the changes. Select the word CANCEL and press the knob to undo the changes and return to the main screen.
  

CONTROL APP

DOWNLOAD THE CONTROL APP

Scan the QR Code to download the iOS

iOS QR CODE

or Android Control App

ANDROID QR CODE

Or search "GN Control" on App Store

or on Google PlayStore.

To use Gold Note App, the phone/tablet must be connected to the same network of DS-10.

DEVICE SETUP

CONTROL PANEL

CLOUD SETUP AND SORT TRACKS

In CLOUD SETUP you will be able to turn ON/OFF all the streaming services available on DS-10 as:
TIDAL, QOBUZ, MQA, VTUNER, SPOTIFY, DEEZER. You will also be able to turn ON/OFF the cloud storage services as: DROPBOX and ONEDRIVE.

PLAY TO AND MUSIC

PLAY TO

Select the "Play To" tab and then select DS-10.

Please be sure that the DS-10 is connected to the same network the mobile device is using.

If the App doesn't show the DS-10 it is most likely due to the fact the mobile device is connected to a different network than the DS-10.

MUSIC

In the "Browser" tab choose the source of the music:

STREAMING SERVICES
Tidal | Qobuz | MQA | vTuner | Spotify | Deezer

CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES
Dropbox | OneDrive

LOCAL SERVERS
Network NAS and UPnP/DLNA services
USB flash drives are listed as "DS-10 Server"

MUSIC AND FAVORITES

NETWORK SETUP

WLAN CONNECTION

DS-10 supports both Wired LAN and Wi-Fi connection.
To use a Wired LAN connection simply plug the cable into the Ethernet port on the rear panel and you are ready to go.

WI-FI MODULE OFF WHEN CONNECTED VIA LAN

Connecting the DS-10 via LAN automatically turns off the Wi-Fi module.
You can check the Wi-Fi status at anytime by looking at the LED light on the rear panel -the LED is blue when the Wi-Fi is active, and is off when the Wi-Fi module is not active.

WI-FI CONNECTION VIA WPS

The easiest way to connect DS-10 to your network via Wi-Fi is to use the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) function available on DS-10 and your router:

1. press and hold for about 10 seconds the Wi-Fi Reset button on the rear panel of DS-10 and release it when the blue led start flashing fast
2. press the WPS button on your router (please refer to the instruction manual)
3. wait until DS-10 automatically connect to your network
4. the blue led will turn ON when the DS-10 is connected and ready
   

DS-10 WIFI AP MODE

In case your router doesn't support the WPS function or you can't access it, use the Wi-Fi Access Point Mode:

1. Press and hold for 5 seconds the WPS Wi-Fi Reset button on the rear panel of DS-10 and release it and wait when the blue led start flashing slow DS-10 will create its own wireless network.
   
2. turn ON the Wi-Fi on your mobile device and scan the networks to find GOLD-NOTE_XXX
3. connect to GOLD-NOTE_XXX using "password" as password
4. open the App and go into DEVICE SETUP > Wi-Fi Network Selection
5. here are listed the wireless connections available, select the one you want to use with DS-10
6. DS-10 is now connected to the selected Wi-Fi network
7. connect your mobile device to the same network used by DS-10
   

CONNECTING OTHER SOURCES

CONNECTING SOURCES VIA DIGITAL INPUT

You can connect digital sources to DS-10 using the digital inputs located on the rear panel.

SERVICE

To validate the warranty is necessary to register the unit on the Gold Note internet web site within 15 days from the purchase on the appropriate area of the web site: www.goldnote.it/warranty

For more information please visit www.goldnote.it/service

If you have any questions contact us at: service@goldnote.it

For spare parts visit the official Gold Note store at: www.akamaiaudio.it

PLEASE NOTE
Descriptions and technical characteristics may vary at any time and without notice.

TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM	CAUSE	SOLUTION
The GN remote control doesn't control the DS-10	The GN remote control can be used to control more than one unit. To control each unit the correct mode must be selected on the remote.	Select DAC mode on the remote. The button "DAC" is located in the upper part of the remote.
The App can't find the DS-10 in the network	The DS-10 is not connected to the network.	Make sure the DS-10 is connected to the WLAN or LAN either with the Ethernet cable or the Wi-Fi.
		Make sure the RF antenna is correctly installed. It may be impossible to use the DS10 with the Wi-Fi if the RF antenna is not installed.
		When using Wi-Fi, make sure the DS-10 is connected to the correct WLAN. Don't forget to put in the password to complete the connection if required by your network setup.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER ONLY TO QUALIFIED GOLD NOTE SERVICE PERSONNEL FOR SERVICE

FIRE SHOCK HAZARD
TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE

Do not disassemble any part of the product.
Do not use any part of the product for other purposes.
For service and problems of any kind, contact qualified Gold Note personnel.
Protect the product from rain, humidity and keep away from heat sources, electric and electronic motors etc.
The power Chord supplied must be used only on this unit.
Gold Note does not have responsibility for any improper use of this unit.

This appliance has a serial number located on the rear panel.
Please record the model and serial number and retain them for your records.

1. Follow the instructions and store them
2. Heed all warnings
3. Do not use this apparatus near water
4. Clean only with a dry cloth
5. Do not install near heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other apparatus
6. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarised or grounding-type plug: a polarised plug has two blades with one wider than the other.
   A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.
   The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety.
   If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
7. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
8. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
9. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus.
   When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/ apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
10. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
11. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel only.

Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way (such as when the power cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture) and in any case when the apparatus does not operate normally or has been dropped.

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Gold Note Audio

Gold Note

www.goldnote.it

Documents / Resources

References

• ‎GN Control su App Store
• Google Play
• Home | Gold Note
• Home | Gold Note

Download manual

Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.

Download Gold Note DS-10, DS-10 PLUS Manual