Gold Note IS-1000 Deluxe Integrated Amplifier

All-in-One Audiophile Amplifier with Streaming, DAC & MM/MC Phono Stage | £5,400 | Available in Black or Silver

The Gold Note IS-1000 Deluxe is the product of more than two decades of applied research at Gold Note's Florentine workshops, and it shows. Into a single, elegantly proportioned chassis — available in black or silver anodised aluminium with a traditional brushed finish — it integrates a 125W class AB MOSFET amplifier, a BurrBrown PCM1792A DAC, a high-resolution network streamer, and an MM/MC phono stage developed directly from the multi-award-winning PH-10. The result is a component that renders an entire equipment rack unnecessary, without asking the listener to concede anything in terms of musical performance. To arrange a demonstration, telephone Martins Hi-Fi on 01603 627010 or email info@martinshifi.co.uk.

Key Features

• Class AB MOSFET integrated amplifier delivering 125W per channel at 8Ω, with a damping factor exceeding 100 and THD of just 0.005% at 5W — providing the headroom and control that demanding loudspeakers require
• BurrBrown PCM1792A DAC supporting PCM up to 24bit/192kHz and DSD64, drawing a clear technical distinction from the standard IS-1000 Line variant
• Fully integrated MM/MC phono stage derived from the Gold Note PH-10, allowing direct connection of a turntable without any additional external hardware
• Roon Ready certified, with Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, Airplay, MQA, Deezer, and vTuner support — compatible with virtually every major music streaming platform
• Adjustable Booster circuit with three levels of bass enhancement at 50Hz, bypassable entirely, offering meaningful system-tuning capability for different loudspeakers and listening habits
• Comprehensive analogue and digital connectivity including balanced XLR input, three optical TosLink inputs, coaxial digital, and USB-A for local file playback
• Controlled via the free GN Control app for iOS and Android, with multifunctional remote control included and full multi-room compatibility

Technology & Design

Gold Note built the IS-1000 Deluxe as a coherent system rather than a collection of separately engineered functions sharing a chassis. The Booster circuit is a good illustration of this philosophy: rather than simply boosting overall gain, it applies a targeted 50Hz equalisation to add weight and body to bass frequencies — useful for speakers that need support in the lower registers, for listening at lower volumes late at night, or simply to achieve a more full-bodied presentation. It can be set to 50%, 100%, or bypassed completely, giving the listener genuine flexibility without complicating day-to-day use. On the streaming side, LAN and Wi-Fi connectivity is complemented by support for Minim Server, Bubble UPnP, and all certified UPnP media servers, alongside a broad format library that includes FLAC, AIFF, WAV, Apple Lossless, MP3, and DSD64.

Listening Experience

The class AB topology of the IS-1000 Deluxe produces the kind of musical presentation that solid-state amplification at its best has always been capable of — controlled, dynamic, and tonally honest without being clinical. There is real substance to the bass, and the mid-range retains the texture and presence that complex acoustic recordings demand. Streaming high-resolution content via Qobuz or Tidal through the BurrBrown DAC, the character is composed and unhurried, with a natural sense of space between instruments. Connect a turntable through the onboard phono stage and the IS-1000 Deluxe becomes a genuinely capable vinyl replay system — this is not a token input, but a stage with genuine credentials behind it.

Technical Specifications

The IS-1000 Deluxe has earned recognition from The Absolute Sound, Mono & Stereo, HiFi Pig, and Tone Publications among others — a body of critical approval that reflects consistent real-world performance rather than specification-sheet promise. To find out more or to arrange a private listening session, call Martins Hi-Fi on 01603 627010 or email info@martinshifi.co.uk.