Paul Hobson, Author at Moorgate Acoustics

We welcome Gold Note Phono stages

Regulars will know that we're always looking to improve our range and summer tends to be when it mostly happens. This year we were told by two good friends that we should have a look and a listen to Gold Note phono stages.

Gold Note is an Italian high-end audio manufacturer based near Florence, in Tuscany. The company was founded in 2012 by Maurizio Aterini, who had been involved in hi-fi design and engineering since the early 1990s. Aterini’s passion for music and sound reproduction began in his youth during the late 1970s, eventually leading him to establish Gold Note as a company dedicated to merging traditional Italian craftsmanship with modern audio engineering.

From its base in Tuscany, Gold Note designs and manufactures every component locally, maintaining a “Made in Italy” philosophy that extends from sourcing materials to final assembly. The firm’s ethos is to embody what it calls Il Suono Italiano—the Italian Sound—defined as a balance between vivid realism and musical warmth. Rather than focusing purely on technical precision or sentimentality, Gold Note seeks a natural, engaging sound that reflects the emotion and energy of live performance.

The company’s approach to design emphasises the system as a whole rather than isolated components. Each product is conceived to work synergistically with others in the range, ensuring consistency and musical coherence across the chain—from source to speakers. This “systems thinking” underpins their product development philosophy.

Gold Note is unusual among boutique audio brands because it produces a complete ecosystem of products: turntables, phono stages, cartridges, DACs, streamers, amplifiers, power supplies and loudspeakers. Early in its history, the company gained attention for its Bellagio Conquest turntable, which showcased both technical sophistication and artistic design. In 2018, the IS-1000 integrated streaming amplifier marked another milestone, combining high-end amplification with built-in streaming capabilities, representing a bridge between analogue tradition and digital convenience.

As I say our primary interest is in phono stages and here's the current range -

PH5 - £976 MM and MC
The high-quality of Gold Note's phono stages has become affordable.

EQ CURVES3 EQ curves (RIAA, Decca London, American Columbia) all with Enhanced optionGAIN40dB MM to 60dB MC with 4 options [0dB, + 3dB, ± 6dB]
INPUT IMPEDANCE9 options [10Ω, 22Ω, 47Ω, 100Ω, 220Ω, 470Ω, 1000Ω, 22kΩ, 47kΩ]
AUDIO OUTPUTSStereo unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR

PH-10

The extraordinary and award-winning phono stage. £1700 plus optional power supply.

EQ CURVES3 EQ curves (RIAA, Decca London, American Columbia) all with Enhanced option
GAIN45dB MM to 65dB MC with 4 options [0dB, ± 3dB, + 6dB]
INPUT IMPEDANCE9 options [10Ω, 22Ω, 47Ω, 100Ω, 220Ω, 470Ω, 1000Ω, 22kΩ, 47kΩ]
AUDIO OUTPUTS Stereo unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR

PH-1000

The most advanced phono stage from £5900 plus optional power supply.

EQ CURVES Infinite + Custom EQ curves (PH-1000 and PH-1000 LINE) - 36 EQ curves (PH-1000 LITE)
GAIN40dB MM to 65dB (60db LITE) MC with 7 options
LOAD12 options for RCA + 8 options for XLR
CAPACITANCEOFF, 100pF, 150pF, 220pF, 330pF, 470pF, 1000pF
AUDIO INPUTS2 RCA, 1 XLR
AUDIO OUTPUTSTUBE output, RCA output, XLR output + 1 Headphone output
EXTERNAL LOAD Only PH-1000 and PH-1000 LINE

We heard the 10 and the 1000 and were overwhelmed! We will report more when we have the stock.

Uncategorized - 11/07/2025

Innuos Stream 1 and 3

Stream1

The STREAM1 is the new entry-level Hi-Fi music streamer and server that does not compromise on functionality. Innous's most versatile gateway product yet, you can tailor the STREAM1 in different configurations to meet your needs thanks to modular storage and output options, able to flexibly fill both music streamer and server duties. Enjoy it as a fully loaded music player, streaming transport, a storage server or a combination of then all - the choice is yours. Stream is actually a platform that offers you flexibility and meets your requirements for connectivity.

Whether you're a seasoned audiophile with a meticulously curated system or a listener seeking a simple but elegant solution, this music source promises to be the driving force behind your audio experience.

At Innous, they craft both hardware and software in house, fine tuning every detail for unmatched synergy. From precision clocking to advanced noise reduction through power supply architecture and customized firmware, every detail is engineered to allow you to reconnect with your music.

Designed to grow with you, STREAM1 isn't just an introduction to Hi-Fi streaming - it's the foundation of an evolving system. With upgrade paths and modular design, it offers an accessible yet powerful step into superior audio performance.

Whether you already own a DAC or prefer a fully connected streamer, exclusively stream, or wish to build a library of all your local files, this product is designed to be the digital heart of your system. Flexible but not uncompromising in sound quality, STREAM1 is a gateway to rediscovering your music collection.

CX Power
Enjoy a clean and clear sound thanks to the CX Regulator module for extremely low-noise power supplied independently to the Digital Output Module, proving an isolated and low-noise signal fed from a medical-grade filtered external switching power supply.

Storage
Add M2 NVMe SSD storage and create a home to maximise all your digital files and enjoy even more library management features in Sense app with the full scope of a music server. Choose fr4om 2TB or 4TB of factory pre-fitted storage - or simply add your own instead.

LPS1
Take the sound quality of STREAM1 significantly further with the partnering of LPS1, a perfectly matched linear power supply with 150VA toroidal transformer and premium Munford capacitors for even greater clarity in sound. Leverage a second Michigan - regulated DC output to power accessories such as external DACs and network switches.

Compact Design
Small but mighty, the STREAM1 makes no compromises on features despite its compact, half-width design. Enjoy the full scope of all Sense has to offer in a small footprint design with 10mm CNC machined aluminium front fascia and a continuous design with LPS1, weather stacked or placed side-by-side.

Powerful Performance
Enjoy a smooth and responsive system thanks to the new Stream series mainboard, using 13th Gen Intel Quad-Core processing and 8GB of industrial-grade DDR5 RAM for a fast yet efficient platform that exceeds 200% faster processing than its predecessor. Hear the benefits of a low-latency system with the OS carried on a dedicated TLC power-loss protected SSD, featuring real-time Kernel technology trickled down from the Zen Next-Gen series.

Connectivity
STREAM1 is ready for the latest changes in connectivity, equipped with USB-C for the latest high-speed USB drives, DACs, or charging smart devices. Still want to rip CDs to the internal storage? Add your own USB Optical Drive to begin ripping in seconds through using intuitive customised ripping engine. Connect to super-fast network speeds through the new 2.5GB Ethernet ports, with a bridged 'Streamer' output to connect another network device to.

Stream3

STREAM3 is Innous' new top-performance Hi-Fi music streamer and server, designed for those who demand reference-grade performance. Whether you pair it with a world-class DAC or prefer an elegant all-in-one solution, STREAM3 is the ultimate foundation for your high-fidelity journey.

Innous’s top-performance music streamer - also fully capable as a server with optional storage and CD ripping via external USB optical drive - is the defining element of your system. It delivers an uncompromised, pristine signal, meticulously timed and free of sonic artifacts, allowing your DAC to perform at its absolute best, revealing the full depth, texture, and emotion of every note, And for those who embrace simplicity, its intuitive, streamlined architecture provides effortless access to your entire music library.

Equipped with state-of-the-art clocking, ultra-low noise power architecture, 10mm thick CNC-machined bead-blasted and anodized aluminium premium chassis, and further enhanced by Innous's in-house developed software, this streamer takes complete control over your digital audio.

Introducing an expansive modular design. STREAM3 is built for those who, in pursuit of perfect sound, are willing to move to a level of advanced versatile and flexible architecture.

Choose the optimized Digital Output Module that best suits your needs and take your streaming quality to a new level.

STREAM3 is more than just a streamer, it's a portal to a world where music transcends the physical realm. A private concert in your home, where very note weaves a personal narrative and the artist's soul resonates with yours.

ARC6-CX LPSU
Hear the difference of high-end power architecture with the integrated ARC6-CX module, combining 132,000uf Munforf capacitance, active rectification and CX power regulation into a single module to greatly reduce impedance and supply ultra-clean power to the system, sourced from a large 300VA toroidal transformer and medical-grade AC filtering to further reduce noise.

Premium Chassis
Housed in 10mm thick, CNC-machined aluminium, the STREAM3 chassis provides comprehensive vibration dampening and shielding in an elegant design. The inclusion of 4mm grounding port allows for even further possibility in noise reduction, revealing even greater levels of detail.

Optional PhoenixDAC
Turn the STREAM3 into a truly high-end fully integrated streamer with the inclusion of the PhoenixDAC module, adding a direct XLR and RCA analogue output from a premium internal digital-to--analogue conversion stage powered independently by its own accompanying power supply, exclusively designed in partnership with Dr Seam Jacobs.

Storage
Add M2 NMVe SSD storage and create a home to maximise all your digital files and enjoy even more library management features in Sense app with the full scope of a music server. Choose from2 TB or 4TB of factory pre-fitted storage - or simply ass your own instead.

Powerful Performance
Enjoy a smooth and responsive system thanks to the new Stream series mainboard, using 13th Gen Intel Quad-Core Processing and 8GB of industrial-grade DDR5 RAM for a fast yet efficient platform that exceeds 300% faster processing than its predecessor. Hear the benefits of a low-latency system with the OS carried on a dedicated TLC power-loss protected SSD, featuring Real-Time Kernel technology trickled down from the Zen Next-Gen series.

Connectivity
Stream3 is ready for the latest changes in connectivity, equipped with USB-C for the latest high-speed USB drives, DACs, or charging smart devices. Still want to rip CDs to the internal storage? Add your own USB Optical Drive to begin ripping in seconds through using intuitive customised ripping engine. Connect to super-fast network speeds through the new 2.5GB Ethernet ports, with a bridged 'Streamer' output to connect another network device to.

Both of the above streamers are on demo now.

Uncategorized - 10/27/2025

Klimax LP12 on dem

Our demo Klimax LP12 now features Keel SE and Radikal 3. We also have the old machines Radikal modified for comparison. Hear the new turntable at your leisure by droppiong in with an LP.

We'll announce and open day shortly.

Uncategorized - 10/25/2025

Linn Keel gets the SE treatment

Keel SE

Flagship machined sub-chassis and armboard for Sondek LP12

Keel SE is the super evolution of Linn’s highest-performance LP12 sub-chassis.

With Keel SE, Linn’s engineers have comprehensively improved upon the original using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Thanks to this revolutionary technology, Linn has been able to evaluate all limitations of previous sub-chassis designs and break free from them, using a combination of cutting-edge virtual prototyping and their own enhanced in-house machining capabilities. The outcome is a new and visibly improved machined sub-chassis with superior stiffness, optimised resonant behaviour, and ideal distribution of mass.

An intricate bracing structure machined into the underside of Keel SE – designed using a mixture of manual and computer-aided optimisations – has helped Linn achieve their number one goal of increasing sub-chassis stiffness as much as possible. This significant 300% increase versus previous designs means that any vibrations travelling through Keel SE have their frequencies forced higher, and their energy substantially lowered.

Optimised resonant behaviour allows Keel SE to better break up and dissipate problematic acoustic energy, reducing its potential impact on the delicate music signal.

By machining aluminium from calculated areas beneath the armboard, Keel SE has its centre of mass balanced more evenly on its suspension compared to other sub-chassis models. This improves weight distribution between the springs and reduces inertia, improving the critical acoustic isolation properties of any LP12.

Keep an eye on this page for an event where you can here the Keel SE and the new Radikal 3 in our store.
£4250 is the price.

Uncategorized - 10/09/2025

Linn Launch Klimax Radikal power supply

Klimax Radikal

Reference motor control, motor and power supply for Sondek LP12

Linn fans will be familiar with the Radikal and the Klimax machined version of it. This product replaces the Klimax version. It brings it into line with the new reference products visually and also adds the proven and superb Utopik power supply; here used in dual mode for the first time.

Klimax Radikal features hyper-accurate speed management technology; generating sustained, uniform rotation closer to 33⅓rpm than any turntable.

You’ll experience even more of your music, in perfect pitch, thanks to Klimax Radikal's digitally managed motor control, bespoke Utopik power supply, and machined aluminium chassis with exceptional electrical and mechanical isolation.

The Utopik power supply is critical to performance, as it possesses separate, dedicated output voltage rails for each of Klimax Radikal's two specialised tasks: controlling the motor and providing power to Urika internal phono stages. These output rails are separately self-regulating; any sudden, significant draws in power from the motor or controller don't affect the rails supplying Urika, and vice versa. The independence of these rails ensures consistency and quality of power supplied to both the motor and phono stage, improving the performance of each.

Also critical to performance is Klimax Radikal's enhanced mechanical isolation. Weighing in at nearly 14kg, machined from three pieces of solid aluminium, and mounted on high-mass stainless-steel feet with rubber ring inserts, its beautifully machined casework is reassuringly robust in the face of external influences.

£11,500

The new Radikal will be on demo soon and we'll be hosting an event to introduce it. There will also be an upgrade/trade in path and we'll reveal this soon.

Uncategorized - 10/09/2025

Living with the Linn Majik DSM

Linn have a long history of trying to put their knowledge and technology into one box solutions. They've met with varying degrees of success and their first efforts (Classik) were ahead of the times. However now, one box solutions are extremely important to the market and with perfect timing the Majik DSM5 (the latest derivative) arrives.

Majik DSM is an all in one music player and a hub for the connection of all your sources. So this means you get to enjoy streaming, internet radio, an excellent amplifier and you get to connect your turntable and all your TV related sources. Simple and neat but with plenty of power to drive the sort of speakers you might select to fit into your lounge.

Linn say -

The Linn Majik DSM/5 is the latest generation of Linn’s all-in-one music player, and it’s designed to make high-end hi-fi as simple as possible: just add speakers.

What it is

The DSM/5 combines four things in one box:

A streamer for playing music from online services or your home network
A DAC (digital-to-analog converter) for pristine sound quality
A preamplifier with plenty of inputs, including HDMI for your TV
A power amplifier that can drive most quality loudspeakers

This means you don’t need a stack of hi-fi separates – the DSM/5 takes care of it all.

In the shop

Listening in our demo room was promising. Promising enough that I thought I'd take this unit home and try it in my own system. Spend a little time discovering its strengths and weaknesses.

At home

My own system is a Naim NDX2 streamer plugged into a Linn Klimax Kontrol and Klimax stereo power amp. I've been using some of the new Linn 150 speakers for the last few weeks and I'm almost at the point of deciding to transfer some funds and keep them. I also use a close to Klimax spec' LP12 but with a Hana Umami Blue moving coil cartridge. I tend to stream and play vinyl fairly equally, using the Sondek or Qobuz depending on my mood and the amount of time I have. I also have my TV connected to me stereo system, although these days I don't actually watch a lot of television.

The Majik plugged in easily. I had to replace a couple of optical cables with a single HDMI (Arc) for my TV but everything else was the same and connection was a doddle. Innitially I wasn't getting enough gain from my turntable but this was easily rectified by making a chance in settings in the Linn app. Once this was done I settled down and played some music.

From the off I was pleased that the presentation of the Magik was of the same family as the Klimax. It wasn't as good as the Klimax by any means and in truth I didn't expect it to be. The Klimax costs almost four times as much and does not have the streaming capability. But the family sound was there and the lack of fatique was there. I was extremely surprised how the unit drove the Linn 150's. It would never be partnered with these speakers in the real world because they're too expensive and I expected them to be too demanding. In fact the DSM did a decent job.

I could immediately tell that the phono stage was good. For a start it was quiet and noise-free. There was no harshness or sibilence and everything sounded controlled and musical. At low to medium volume the DSM had no issues at all and it was only when I pushed it harder that I felt it was struggling with the speakers a little.

Streaming was a good experience. I like the LINN app and here I felt I got the best performance from the DSM. It left me wanting to try one of the higher end Selekt units through my system. I'll do this soon. I'll be honest I've been using Naim streamers for such a long time that I struggle with poor apps. I needn't have worried though as LINN have put as much effort into app development as they have into the product itself. It was smooth and seamless to use and to browse and play music.

My final test was with the telly and here the Majik DSM also did well. I didn't dwell on this but it was impressive and sounded immersive and not detached in any way.

I've had the Majik DSM at home now for four days and I can honestly say that it has exceeded my expectations in all regards. It is a neat and attractive solution and it sounds better than it has any right to. I have not delved into Space Optimization. This is free software that enables the equipment to remove and improve room characteristics. I've used this to good effect before but at home simply didn't feel the need.

The Majik DSM is now back on demo at the store and costs £4299.

Uncategorized - 10/05/2025

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Acoustic Energy AE1 compact speakers

Many will recall these excellent speakers, and their equally fantastic stands. They are one of the most memorable compact speakers we've heard and they have stood the test of time.

So we were thrilled to hear that Acoustic Energy are putting the AE1 back into production with the Anniversary Edition, launching in November (2025). In fact we were so thrilled that we've ordered some.

As you can see; they look fantastic and will be offered in gloss walnut and gloss black. We believe the RRP will be £1499.
We'll report back when they arrive and with more information as we get it.

Uncategorized - 10/04/2025

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Rega and Mercury Rising (& Solis)

Join Rega and ourselves on Friday the 14th of November for a 1st look/listen to the new Mercury and Solis pre/power.

You know the score - no pressure, lots of music, nibbles and wine. All welcome. Tickets not required. We'll welcome you and Rega will introduce these two new stunning products; their highest end amplifier. We've heard prototypes but we understand these have been refined further and sound stunning.

We'll be using Rega's own Naia record player and we'll be streaming too. There will be lots of music, some prizes and a glimpse at the Rega ethos. We will also be demonstrating other products on the day, including their budget system and all points between.

Discover more here;

https://www.facebook.com/events/1944026466165436?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

Tickets not required. Parking at rear and on side streets. We'll start at 12 and finish at 4.30. Light refreshments will be provided and all welcome

Get in touch if you'd like to know more.

Uncategorized - 10/02/2025

Autumn treat from Cyrus

Autumn has arrived, and with it we begin to enjoy cosy days more time spent listening to music.

Now is a good time to consider upgrading your system and Cyrus have made it even easier to jump into their new 40 series!

Trade-up to the high performing 40 series with a substantial allowance on your trade in item.

PROMO prices-

• 40 AMP - £3399

• 40 CD - £2549

• 40 ST - £2649

• 40 PSU - £2199

To get these prices simply trade in any product. Hopefully working but even non working might just squeeze through if you talk nicely to us. PSU does not even require a trade in.

Get in touch for more info. Offer runs till 31st of December!!!

Fill your boots!

Uncategorized - 10/02/2025

Rega and the Art of Vibration: Why They Call Their Turntables “Vibration Measuring Machines”

Stream1

Stream3

What it is