Gold Note DS-10 PLUS User manual

OWNERʼS MANUAL
DS-10 PLUS
HIGH-END DAC - STREAMER - LINE PREAMP - HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER -
WITH ANALOG INPUT
DS-10
PLUS
GOLD NOTE

PACKAGE CONTENT...... ..........................................................................................................................
INTRODUCTION AND FEATURES
..............................................................................................................
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
...................................................................................................................
FRONT PANEL
.........................................................................................................................................
REAR PANEL................
..........................................................................................................................
SELECT FUNCTIONS
................................................................................................................................
REMOTE CONTROL..........
.......................................................................................................................
OVERVIEW DS-10 PLUS FEATURES
..........................................................................................................
SELECTABLE PARAMETERS................................................................................................................
CONTROL APP.................
.......................................................................................................................
NETWORK SETUP.............
......................................................................................................................
CONNECTING OTHER SOURCES.............
.................................................................................................
WARRANTY AND SERVICE.........................................................................................................................
TROUBLESHOOTING........
.......................................................................................................................
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.............
..........................................................................................
P. 3
P. 4
P. 6
P. 7
P. 8
P. 9
P. 10
P. 11
P. 12
P. 14
P. 20
P. 22
P. 23
P. 24
P. 25
INDEX
2

DS-10 PLUS
1 AC cable
1 Ethernet cable
1 Wi-Fi antenna
Remote control + battery
User manual
3
PACKAGE CONTENT

USB
INTRODUCTION AND FEATURES
A MODERN AUDIO SOURCE
The DS-10 PLUS is a versatile state-of-the-art 4-in-1
unit featuring a new generation D/A converter, UPnP-
DLNA Streamer, line preamplifier and headphone
amplifier perfectly completing any audio system
offering internet, digital and analogue connectivity
with the purity of the premium Gold Note High-End
audio sound performance. Equipped with a 3.5 mm
jack analogue input it is not only the perfect digital
source but a complete preamplifier for analogue and
digital sources. All this high technology is brilliantly
enclosed in a convenient compact sized and eye-
catching chassis.
DIGITAL AUDIO DAC AND FULL FUNCTION
STREAMER
The DS-10 PLUS is a Roon Ready device, fully multi-
room system compatible with a quick plug&play
installation. You simply need to connect it to your
network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and then to the power
amplifier or active speakers to be ready to start
exploring the limitless possibilities of online music.
You can stream through Roon, Airplay, Tidal,
MQA, Qobuz, Spotify and Deezer, controlling the DS-
10 PLUS with our easy to use App on your phone or
tablet (available for iOS and Android for free). You
can also access all your collections of digital music
stored locally on a NAS or USB flash drive (DSD64 on
USB and LAN, PCM up to 24/192).
PREAMPLIFIER AND HEADPHONES OUTPUT
The DS-10 Plus is not only the perfect digital source,
but a complete preamplifier for analogue and digital
sources with an On/Off switchable High-End audio
analogue preamp stage volume control. All the
different remote controls, including a mobile App,
make it easy to control the DS-10 synchronizing the
unit to all functions and letting even the web players
play analogue volume when the preamp stage is
activated, guaranteeing the best performance ever.
With the additional analogue input, the DS-10 PLUS
becomes the perfect integration between the Gold
Note PH-10 phono stage and the PA-10 power
amplifier.
4

INTRODUCTION AND FEATURES
DIGITAL CHAMELEON DAC
DS-10 PLUS has a very unique feature that
distinguishes it from every other DAC: the selection
of three different profiles lets the listener change the
sound character of the DAC similar to a chameleon,
making the DS-10 PLUS the most versatile unit on
the market.
For the first time ever, the sound behavior can be
changed to adapt the music played to the taste of the
listener without modifying the audio signal but only
adjusting the electrical profiles, acting on the
deemphasis, the low-pass digital filters and the
power applied to the digital chip. Such profiles can be
managed and stored in real time during music
playback for maximum convenience and a unique
listening experience. The user can adjust those
parameters via the clear menu on the display,
browsing with the rotary switch knob or with the
remote control. Enjoy an unprecedented High-End
audiophile pleasure, giving you access to all the
music in the world without any concession on sound
quality.
QUICK TO INSTALL AND EASY TO USE
DS-10 PLUS is a true High-End Audio DAC capable
of audiophile sound from digital files featuring
Streamer and Network Player functions to help en-
joying favorite music always with the greatest audio
quality, fully controlled via App, remote and front
knob to make it work super easily.
NEW TOTAL CONTROL OVER YOUR SYSTEM
A nice looking 2,8” TFT monitor displays the main
functions of the DS-10 PLUS in a clear menu that's
easy to browse. Thanks to the exclusive SKC (Single
Knob Control) on the front panel, the handset re-
mote control and the Gold Note App the unit be-
comes an extremely user-friendly source you can
always easily control from any listening position. DS-
10 PLUS features an easy set up Apple iOS and An-
droid proprietary software for full control via
iPhones and iPads as well as smart phones and tab-
lets. The App makes it easy to control even the di-
gital inputs displaying all meta data, cover and
information registered on the track as well as real
resolution format.
DURABLE DESIGN 100% MADE IN ITALY
DS-10 PLUS features a great mechanical structure
made of solid machined steel and thick aluminium
panels to guarantee low frequency resonance, feed-
back vibrational control and low magnetic inertial
field.
GOLD NOTE MODULAR DESIGN
Thanks to the unique and innovative Gold Note
modular design DS-10 PLUS will be able to option-
ally drive a special external inductive power supply
(PSU-10 EVO) to effectively enhance the native per-
formance of the unit.
5

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
MAIN FEATURES
D/A Converter AKM AK4493 PCM up to 32bit/
768kHz and DSD512 native
Streamer Network Player PCM and DSD
Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz +/-0.1dB
THD – Total Harmonzic Distortion: 0.001% max
Signal to Noise ratio: -125dB
Dynamic range: 120dB
Output impedance RCA/XRL: 50Ω
Preamp Stage Volume Control: enabled/disabled
DIGITAL INPUTS
•1x RCA coaxial PCM asynchronous up to 24bit/
192kHz
•2x TOS-optical PCM asynchronous up to 24bit/
192kHz
•1x AES/EBU balanced 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/384kHz
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
ANALOGUE INPUT
3.5mm mini jack
POWER
100-240V, 50/60Hz
Multiple Transformer proprietary power supply
Power consumption: 30W
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
HIGH QUALITY STREAMING
Airplay, Deezer, MQA, Qobuz, Roon, Spotify, Tidal,
vTuner
SUPPORTED AUDIO FORMATS (NETWORK)
up to PCM 24bit/192kHz:
AIFF (.aif, .aiff, .aifc)
ALAC
WAV (.wav) packed/unpacked
FLAC
MP3
DSD64: DSF, DFF
Apple Lossless
OGG
Monkey’s
DSD64: DSF, DFF
IMPORTANT: UpnP server must support DSD stream-
ing in order to stream DSD files.
SUPPORTED MEDIA SERVERS
All UPnP / DLNA / Roon
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
200mm W 80mm H 260mm D
Weight: Kg. 4 net - Kg. 5 boxed
FINISHES
Brushed Aluminium available in Black, Silver or Gold
REMOTE CONTROL
Multifunctional remote control
APP
GN Control
6

SKC (Single Knob Control)
DISPLAY
LED STANDBY/ON-OFF
FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW
DS-10 PLUS 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.
7
FRONT PANEL
DS-10
PLUS
GOLD NOTE

REAR PANEL OVERVIEW
DS-10 PLUS 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.
*PLEASE NOTE: the antenna must be mounted
8
REAR PANEL
1
2
ANALOG LINE OUTPUT
RCA unbalanced
XLR balanced
DIGITAL INPUT
4
5
6
7
8
9
USB HOST (A type)
USB-B type
AES/EBU balanced
RCA COAX
TOS 1
TOS 2
PSU IN
GN Link connector
WPS WI-FI reset
POWER AND OTHERS
WI-FI led
AC plug IEC standard
WI-FI Antenna*
Ethernet
LINE-IN
3
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
R L
R L
AES/EBU COAXUSB HOST USB DAC
GN LINK
AC IN 100 - 240 V
PSU IN
TOS 1 TOS 2
WI-FI
ANTENNA
LINE-IN
WPS
WI-FI
RESET
WI-FI
LED
ETHERNET
UNBALANCED
BALANCED
SERIAL NUMBER
678910
11
12
13
14
16
15
12
5
443

DS-10
PLUS
GOLD NOTE
DS-10
PLUS
GOLD NOTE
SINGLE PUSH
3 SEC. PUSH
TURNING ON/OFF DS-10 PLUS
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
9
SELECT FUNCTIONS

ENTER
activates the SELECTION FRAME
and selects the functions, just like
you would do by pressing the knob
POWER ON/OFF
use POWER ON/OFF to turn ON and OFF
the DS-10 PLUS
DAC
To control DS-10 PLUS press the
button DAC on the remote control
VOLUME
use VOL+ and VOL- to adjust the
volume level by 1 step at a time
MUTE
use MUTE to instantly mute the DS-10
PLUS the input selection is disabled
while DS-10 PLUS is in MUTE
INPUT SELECTION
use IN+ and IN- to change the
selected input.
use IN+ and IN- when the SELECTION
FRAME is red (active selection) to
change the function and set the
desired value
DISPLAY
Dimmer in 4 step:
Full, 50%, 25%, OFF
USING THE REMOTE CONTROL
DS-10 PLUS 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.
10
REMOTE CONTROL

LINE-IN - analog input
NETWORK - select this input to use the streaming services, for music on local servers storage and airplay
AES - balanced input to connect additional sources from your system, like a professional CD Player
USB A type - input to connect additional sources (USB drive)
USB B type - input to connect additional sources (PC/MAC)
TOS 1, 2 - digital inputs to connect additional sources, CD/TV
COAX - digital inputs to connect additional sources, CD/TV
BLUETOOTH - share music from your phone or computer
VOLUME
0 to 100
DISP
Turn the display ON / OFF
/ Dimmer.
When the display is OFF,
simply operate the knob or
the remote to turn it ON
again temporarily (timing
is 3 seconds)
PHONES/LINE OUT
Choose and select one
of the two listening
modes: Headphones
or Line out
AUDIO FORMAT
ENABLE FUNCTION
PRE = volume
DAC = fixed output
MUTE
HIGH - LOW
Browse and select one of the power output
options depending on your Headphones.
The possibility to choose the right
sensitivity allows matching any kind of
Headphones model.
HIGH = 5Watt / LOW = 1Watt
INPUT SELECTION
PRESET 1/2/3
The message showed
on the display when
you select one of the
presets.
FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS
DS-10 PLUS 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.
11
OVERVIEW DS-10 PLUS FEATURES

OFF
DS-10 PLUS is in standard
mode (factory setup)
SETUP
Push the rotary knob on the front panel
or the Enter key on the remote control
to access the PRESET menu
THE CHAMELEON DAC
Thanks to its 192 different setup options, DS-10 PLUS 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 PLUS 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 PLUS.
- 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.
12
SELECTABLE PARAMETERS

GREY COLOR
The parameter is selected and ready to
be modified.
BLUE COLOR
The changes made are confirmed. You
can select and modify a different
parameter or save the changes made to
the PRESET
PRESET 1-2-3
The changes made to the PRESETs remain stored even if
the DS-10 PLUS is turned OFF.
To use a PRESET previously modified simply select it on the
display and push the knob or the ENTER key on the remote
control to confirm the selection.
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.
13
SELECTABLE PARAMETERS

DOWNLOAD THE CONTROL APP
Scan the QR Code to download the iOS or Android Control App or search “GN Control” on App Store or
“Mconnect” on Google PlayStore.
IMPORTANT
To use Gold Note App, the phone/tablet
must be connected to the same network
of DS-10 PLUS.
14
CONTROL APP
repeat the whole track list
play the whole track list once
repeat the current track
TRACK LIST ORDER
random or sequential
PLAY TO
select the music player
SEEK
FAVORITES
folders and tracks
MUSIC
streaming services and local music
PLAY/PAUSE, STOP, SKIP
QUEUE
track list
DEVICE SETUP CONTROL PANEL
VOLUME
DS-10 PLUS
ANDROID QR
CODE iOS QR CODE

DEVICE SETUP
15
CONTROL APP
DS-10 PLUS
FIRMWARE UPDATE
If there is a new firmware update available, the app notifies it
WIFI STATIC IP ADDRESS SETUP
LAN STATIC IP ADDRESS SETUP
WIFI NETWORK SELECTION
Connect the device to a different Wi-Fi network
DEVICE NAME CHANGE
Rename the device on the network
GOLD NOTE
DS-10 PLUS

CONTROL PANEL
16
CONTROL APP
DS-10 PLUS
LINE OUT/PHONES PRE/DAC
HIGH/LOW
GAPLESS
ON/OFF
NETWORK, BLUETOOTH
COAX, AES/EBU,
TOS 1, TOS 2,
USB DAC, ANALOG
SETUP, PRESET 1,
PRESET 2, PRESET 3,
OFF
POWER ON/POWER OFF
VALUE AND VOLUME ADJUSTMENT
DS-10 PLUS

CLOUD SETUP
InCLOUD SETUP you will be able to turn ON/OFF all the streaming services available on DS-10 PLUS as:
DEEZER,QOBUZ,SPOTIFY, TIDAL,vTUNER. You will also be able to turn ON/OFF the cloud storage services as:
DROPBOX and ONEDRIVE.
17
CONTROL APP
SORT TRACKS
Music tracks in a folder can be sorted by
track number and track name.
It can be applied even for each folder.
CLOUD SETUP
enable and disable:
- STREAMING SERVICES
- CLOUD SERVICES

PLAY TO AND MUSIC
18
CONTROL APP
MUSIC
In the "Browser" tab choose the source of the music:
STREAMING SERVICES
Deezer | Qobuz | Spotify | TIDAL | vTuner
CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES
Dropbox | OneDrive
LOCAL SERVERS
Network NAS and UPnP/DLNA services
USB flash drives are listed as "DS-10 PLUS Server"
PLAY TO
Select the "Play To" tab and then select DS-10 PLUS.
Please be sure that the DS-10 PLUS is connected to
the same network the mobile device is using.
If the App doesn't show the DS-10 PLUS it is most
likely due to the fact the mobile device is connected
to a different network than the DS-10 PLUS.

FAVORITES
Use this button to add folders
and tracks to your Favorites list.
The folder/tracks will be then
listed in the Favorites tab.
You can find the Favorites tab in
the bottom menu.
MY PLAYLISTS
New playlists can be created using
this button when you are in the My
Playlist screen. Use this tab to
manage your playlists, rename or
delete them.
You can create a new playlist also
while browsing music on Streaming
services and local servers.
If you don't want to create a new
Playlist, simply add the tracks to
the playback Queue.
CLOUD SETUP
19
CONTROL APP