GOLD NOTE HP-5.2

The Gold Note HP-5.2 is a high-end headphone amplifier designed to meet the demands of the most discerning audiophiles, built around a Dual-Mono Class A philosophy that preserves signal integrity and delivers absolute sound quality. It is capable of driving any type of headphone with ease, from sensitive in-ear monitors to high-impedance over-ear models.

The signal path is entirely analog and constructed with the highest-quality components, while all adjustments operate in real time without digital conversion, allowing precise control over the amplifier’s behavior and enabling it to adapt to the specific characteristics of connected headphones, ensuring consistent, stable, and accurate listening.

User interaction is facilitated through an intuitive touchscreen display and a dedicated remote control, allowing every parameter to be adjusted comfortably during playback and providing a seamless, immediate experience even within complex high-end audio systems.

Advanced integrated functions allow deep control of headphone listening, including crossfeed adjustment to recreate a speaker-like soundstage, Harman EQ curves optimized for headphone listening, the Superflat mode to linearize high-frequency response, as well as gain, damping factor, and channel balance, all adjustable with precision without introducing artificial coloration.

The bypass function enables integration into systems with a preamplifier, maintaining existing cabling while allowing both the HP-5.2 and the preamplifier to be used for speaker listening. This automatic feature preserves simplicity of use and system consistency.

The HP-5.2 includes balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analog inputs, a USB-C digital input, and a bidirectional Bluetooth 5.2 HD aptX module, engineered with the same rigor as the analog section. This allows wireless headphones to be used or music to be streamed from smartphones, tablets, computers, and gaming systems without sacrificing high-fidelity control and quality.

The output options are extensive, featuring unbalanced 3.5 mm and 6.3 mm jacks, along with balanced 4.4 mm and XLR connectors on the front panel, ensuring compatibility with virtually any headphone. Selecting RCA or XLR line outputs allows the HP-5.2 to function as a preamplifier while retaining all Studio optimization features.

This amplifier represents a conscious evolution of the vision introduced with the HP-10, not as a simplification but as a more compact and accessible form, capable of removing performance bottlenecks and fully realizing the potential of connected headphones without imposing its own sonic signature, allowing the music to emerge in its most authentic form.

Mechanically, the design follows a strict functional principle, with an anodized aluminum chassis providing structural rigidity, mechanical stability, and electrical cleanliness, creating an ideal environment for Class A discrete circuits. It delivers up to 5 watts of power with linear frequency response and absolute control even under demanding conditions.

The HP-5.2 embodies Gold Note’s philosophy of headphone listening, translating a paradigm shift into a product that allows headphones to perform at their best, minimizing electronic interference and leaving space solely for the music, finally free to reveal every detail and emotion.

Technical specifications:

• Type: Dual-Mono Class A headphone amplifier
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0 dB
• THD + N (Total Harmonic Distortion): 0.015% @ 1 kHz
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): 105 dB
• D/A Converter: SABRE ES9023
• Bluetooth: 5.2 HD aptX 24-bit
• Crossfeed: adjustable; full spectrum or bass / mid / treble
• Analog EQ: Harman; Superflat
• Damping Factor: adjustable High / Low
• IR Receiver: integrated for multifunction remote
• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm unbalanced; 6.3 mm unbalanced; 4.4 mm balanced; 4-pin XLR balanced
• Line outputs: 1 x RCA unbalanced; 1 x XLR balanced
• Analog inputs: 1 x RCA unbalanced (5 Vrms max); 1 x XLR balanced (8 Vrms max)
• Digital inputs: 1 x USB-C PCM 48 kHz; Bluetooth 5.2 HD aptX 24-bit
• Headphone output power: up to 5 W max
• Power supply: 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz
• Power consumption: max 25 W
• Fuse: 2 A T
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 200 x 80 x 260 mm
• Weight: 3 kg (net)