TESTED: Goldenote S-1 Signature Integrated Amplifier and Koala CD Player

Hit and Miss

At any rate, the Koala’s power supply features three separate transformers, generous filtering and regulation, and a separate supply with its own transformer for the tubed output stage. This stage is based on one ECC88 dual-triode per channel.

Although nicely built and attractive cosmetically, the Koala has an ergonomic quirk: The front-panel buttons are tiny points that require precise finger placement and are uncomfortable under the fingertip.

Listening

Starting with the S-1 Signature driven by my reference sources, I was taken aback by the sheer musicality of this “entry-level” integrated amplifier. The S-1 in no way sounded like a sub-$2k integrated. Rather, it had the resolution, dynamics, and timbral liquidity of mid-priced separates.

The S-1 Signature was extremely lively sounding (and I don’t mean bright). The amplifier had a natural sense of rhythmic flow coupled with an effortlessness on musical peaks. This was true over a wide variety of music, from blues to orchestral. Even when fed the extraordinarily wide dynamic range of Reference Recordings HRx 176.4kHz/24-bit files decoded by the Berkeley Alpha DAC, the S-1 Signature was up to the challenge, reproducing huge orchestral climaxes with utter grace and ease. In addition to correctly reproducing music’s dynamic structure, the S-1 didn’t collapse the soundstage during loud and complex passages. The S-1 Signature had a big, forceful (though not forced), and authoritative sound. This was remarkable performance for an amplifier of this power rating and price.

The S-1 Signature’s dynamic prowess was complemented by the unit’s excellent bass definition, pitch resolution, weight, extension, and tremendous sense of heft. The bottom end was full and rich without sounding thick, plummy, or overly ripe. Kick drum had powerful impact, and bass guitar was rendered with an extremely satisfying “purring” quality. Moreover, the S-1 resolved small tonal and dynamic shadings in the bass in a way that made other entry-level integrated amplifiers sound a bit muddled. The great Abraham Laboriel’s bass lines on the Victor Feldman LP Secret of the Andes were rendered with a razor-sharp precision that highlighted his musical contribution to this disc.

The presentation also had a wonderful transparency and clarity in the midband and treble. The sound was open and clean, with no opacity to diminish the sense of “seeing” through the soundstage. Similarly, this transparency contributed to the S-1 Signature’s excellent portrayal of timbre; tone colors were vibrant and deeply saturated in a way that made the presentation musically vivid without being sonically vivid. The S-1 Signature didn’t overlay timbres with a synthetic pall—a common characteristic of entry-level integrated amplifiers. In addition, instrumental textures were pure and free from grain and upper-midrange glare.

With the Koala driving the S-1 Signature or at the front of my reference system it was apparent that these two Goldenote products shared some qualities but deviated on others. The Koala had a fairly large soundstage with good delineation between instrumental images. The CD player also had a sense of presence fostered by a somewhat forward overall perspective. This perspective, however, tended to highlight the midrange the way some tubed electronics do, with reduced resolution at the frequency extremes. The extreme bottom end (the realm of organ pedal tones and kick drum) didn’t have the extension or dynamic impact that would reveal the S-1 Signature’s outstanding performance in this area. The midbass was a bit ripe and plummy rather than taut and defined; you’d never know the S-1’s potential for rendering dynamics with such vibrant musical energy if you heard that integrated amplifier driven only by the Koala. Similarly, the top octave sounded a little closed in—that sense of air riding on top of cymbals was diminished. Concomitantly, the upper-midrange was a little bright, forward, and had a glare and hardness, particularly during loud passages. Instruments rich in upper-order harmonics such as saxophone and violin took on a bit of a steely character.

Conclusion

The Goldenote S-1 Signature integrated amplifier is a real find; it delivers a truly compelling musical experience at a reasonable price. Although not inexpensive for an “entry-level” integrated, the S-1 Signature nonetheless competes sonically with higher-priced integrated amplifiers, as well as with the benchmark in the category, the $1625 Naim Nait 5i. The S-1 Signature has an extremely compelling combination of dynamic expression, purity of timbre, transparency, and resolution without sounding analytical. Moreover, it sounds more powerful than its 60Wpc rating by virtue of its large power supply and generous heat-sinking.