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Gold Note IS 1000 Review: A combination of beautiful design and functionality

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Tech Week Score
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Imagine a complete high-quality stereo system enclosed in a beautiful aluminum enclosure. This is the Gold Note IS 1000. The all-in-one design is based on the latest technology and details to achieve true audiophile sound quality.

The Gold Note IS 1000 is a fully integrated amplifier that seamlessly integrates a preamp, power amp, phono stage, DAC and Streamer into a unique package.

The new Class A / B amplifier with 150W per channel output power reproduces crystal clear sound, conveying the finest details of music. The unit has three analog inputs – one XLR and two RCA. An MM / MC cartridge phono stage for excellent reproduction of vinyl records. The preamplifier can be disabled for use in a home theater system with an external processor.

There is a USB port on the back for connecting flash drives.

The Gold Note IS-1000 is a stereo integrated amplifier that also includes a high-quality phono stage, digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and streamer. The technical innovations involved in the development of the integrated amplifier have been borrowed from the flagship Gold Note P-1000 preamp and the Gold Note PA-1175 power amplifier.

The D / A converter uses BurrBrown chips (PCM1796, PCM1792A), and ideas for the phono stage are borrowed from the Gold Note PH-10 external phono stage.

On the front panel of the amplifier there is a large, rather informative screen displaying all the modes of operation of the device – an element that seems to be not the most familiar for this class of devices, but with an abundance of different modes of operation, it turns out to be a very popular exterior detail. By the way, you can turn it off if you want.

There is also a power indicator and a volume control, which also serves as an input selector and selection of various options.

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The Gold Note IS-1000 is Roon Ready, fully multi-room compatible and fast plug & play. Simply connect the IS-1000 to your speakers and network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and you can start listening to music streaming via Tidal & MQA, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify & Spotify Connect and Deezer with Roon using the proprietary app (for iOS and Android), or playing your own digital music collection stored on NAS, HDD and USB drives.

The Gold Note IS-1000 has 6 digital inputs (PCM up to 24 bit / 192 kHz): 3 optical (TOS), 1 coaxial (COAX), 1 USB Type A (DSD 64 direct and via DoP), 1 Ethernet LAN and Wi- Fi (direct DSD 64 and via DoP). There are also 3 analogue inputs: 1 balanced XLR and 2 unbalanced RCA (one of which can handle MM / MC pickups).

To connect to an external power amplifier, 2 pairs of output RCA connectors are provided (one pair with a fixed output, the other with an adjustable one). Thus, the IS-1000 combines, in addition to an amplifier, also a DAC and a streamer – an extremely relevant solution. In addition to all of the above, there is a power switch on the back and one pair of terminals for connecting acoustics – judging by their appearance, made by WBT.

By the way, the amplifier operates in class A \ B and has a power of 125 \ 250 watts per channel,

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There are two ways to control the amplifier remotely. The first one is simple and unoriginal – the package contains a small and ergonomic remote control made of plastic.

But in order to fully immerse yourself in all the possibilities of Gold Note IS-1000, it is recommended to download the official free application, with which you can easily use all the digital functions of the device, as well as easily adjust the volume, even while in another room.

Conclusion

Gold Note IS 1000 is not only another victory of the Gold Note brand, but also another confirmation of the uniqueness of such a phenomenon as Italian audio equipment.

Being a combination of good design, rich functionality and uncommon, real soulful sound, Gold Note IS-1000 shows itself not only as a device that is relevant in all respects, but also clearly demonstrates that the modern approach to creating Hi-Fi \ Hi-End class equipment is not not only is not destructive for music, but also able to reveal it from a completely new side – the main thing is that the creator himself passionately loved what he produces!

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