Gold Note DS-10 EVO – Streaming DAC, Analogue Preamp & Headphone Amplifier

Audiophile streaming made effortless. The Gold Note DS-10 EVO is a compact, Made-in-Italy digital hub that combines a high-resolution network streamer, a premium AKM DAC, an on/off switchable analogue preamp stage and a serious 6.3mm headphone output. With Roon Ready operation, Tidal Connect and Gold Note’s unique Chameleon Mode tuning, it’s built to become the centerpiece of a modern high-fidelity system.

• AKM AK4493 DAC with hi-res support up to PCM 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512 (USB-B)
• Streaming excellence: Roon Ready, AirPlay, Tidal, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Spotify Connect, MQA, vTuner
• PRE/DAC mode: variable preamp output or fixed DAC output (preamp bypass)
• Chameleon Mode: 3 real-time sound profiles without altering the audio signal path
• Headphone-ready: 6.3mm jack with High/Low sensitivity levels

Product Overview

The DS-10 EVO is designed for listeners who want reference-grade digital playback without complicating the system. Connect it to your network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), choose your preferred playback method (Roon, app control, streaming services, NAS, USB drive), and feed either an integrated amplifier, a power amplifier, or active speakers via RCA or XLR.

It also features a switchable analogue preamp stage that lets you run the DS-10 EVO directly into a power amplifier with precise volume control. Prefer a pure DAC workflow? Switch to DAC mode for fixed output and bypass preamp control.

Listening Experience

The DS-10 EVO delivers a clean, spacious and richly detailed presentation with a calm, low-noise background. Bass is tight and well-defined, the midrange is open and expressive for vocals, and treble is refined with excellent air and micro-detail—ideal for long listening sessions.

A standout feature is Chameleon Mode, which offers three selectable profiles to fine-tune the DAC behaviour in real time (acting on deemphasis and digital/DSD filtering). It’s a powerful way to tailor the presentation to different recordings and tastes while maintaining a high level of fidelity.

Room Size

As a source and preamp component, the DS-10 EVO is not limited by room size. It scales seamlessly from small listening rooms to large living spaces—the deciding factor is the resolution of your amplifier and loudspeakers. In bigger rooms, pairing it with a capable power amplifier helps unlock maximum dynamics and soundstage scale.

Use Cases

• High-end streaming front end: Roon Ready and service-based playback with premium conversion
• Minimalist separates: run PRE mode directly into a power amplifier or active speakers
• Digital hub: connect TV, CD transport or other sources via optical/coax/AES/USB
• Headphone listening: 6.3mm output with sensitivity settings for better matching
• Upgrade path: compatible with the external PSU-10 EVO via dedicated PSU input

Amplifier Pairing

The DS-10 EVO works beautifully with both integrated amplifiers and power amplifiers:

• Into an integrated amplifier: use DAC mode for fixed-level output and let your amp handle volume
• Direct to a power amplifier: use PRE mode for a clean, high-performance two-box system
• Balanced systems: use XLR output for long cable runs and a quieter chain

Within the Gold Note ecosystem, it’s an excellent match with compact power amps and full-size amplification alike, depending on your room size and speaker demands.

Technical Specifications

• D/A converter: AKM AK4493; PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512
• Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz (±0.1dB)
• THD: 0.001% max
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 125dB
• Dynamic range: 120dB
• Output impedance (RCA/XLR): 50Ω
• Preamp stage volume control: Enabled/Disabled
• DAC outputs: 1 × RCA (2Vrms), 1 × XLR (2Vrms)
• Preamp outputs: 1 × RCA, 1 × XLR, 1 × headphone output (6.3mm jack)
• Digital inputs:
  • RCA coaxial: PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz
  • AES/EBU balanced: PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz
  • TOS-Link: PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz
  • USB-B asynchronous: up to DSD512 and PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz
  • USB-A port: DSD256 and PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz (FAT32/NTFS; 32GB max for pen drives)
• Network connectivity: LAN/WLAN (Wi-Fi) 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Dual Band (10/433Mbps)
• Bluetooth: High-Definition 5.0 (44/16)
• Streaming services & protocols: Roon Ready, AirPlay, MQA, Qobuz, Deezer, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Tidal Connect, vTuner
• Supported formats (network): up to PCM 32-bit/384kHz; DSD256 (DSF, DFF); AIFF; ALAC; WAV; FLAC; MP3; Apple Lossless; OGG; Monkey’s
• Supported media servers: UPnP, DLNA, Roon (UPnP server must support DSD streaming for DSD files)
• Power supply: 100–240V, 50/60Hz
• Power consumption: 35W
• Fuse: 2A T
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 200 × 80 × 260 mm
• Weight: 4 kg net; 5 kg boxed

Why Choose the Gold Note DS-10 EVO?

The DS-10 EVO is a rare all-in-one digital source done right: serious streaming, excellent conversion, a true analogue preamp stage, and headphone capability—wrapped in a compact chassis with real upgrade potential via PSU-10 EVO. If you want a refined, flexible and future-ready streamer/DAC that can simplify your system while raising performance, the DS-10 EVO is a standout choice.