CD / SACD players and transports — Gold Note CD-5.2

The CD-5.2 is the CD player of Gold Note's Series 5.2, the Florentine manufacturer's half-width line of streamers, DACs, amplifiers and phono stages. It succeeds the CD-5 with a new chassis, an updated power supply and a revised user interface, and it adds a volume control so the player can drive a power amplifier or active speakers on its own.

Key specs that matter

Conversion is handled by an AKM AK4493 DAC, the same chip used in the DS-5.2 streaming DAC. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.3 dB, THD is 0.001% maximum, signal-to-noise is 124 dB and dynamic range 123 dB. Output impedance is 100 ohms, with both RCA and XLR outputs delivering 2 Vrms. Digital outputs comprise 75 ohm coaxial S/PDIF and optical TOS, both at 24-bit/192 kHz. The chassis measures 200 x 80 x 260 mm and weighs 3 kg.

Engineering and use context

The transport is a tray-loading Stream Unlimited mechanism with speed fluctuation of 0.0001% and gapless playback, and it reads Red Book CD as well as CD-R and CD-RW. The chassis is sandblasted and black-anodised aluminium, a treatment Gold Note chose to reduce interaction with magnetic fields and give the circuitry a more stable mechanical and electrical environment. The analogue output stage is balanced, which is why XLR and RCA share the same level and impedance. Control is via a touchscreen, remote handset and front-panel volume. The built-in volume stage removes the need for a separate preamplifier in compact systems, which shortens the signal path. Gold Note also offers an optional external power supply for the Series 5.2 that separates the mains transformer from the player. The half-width footprint lets the CD-5.2 sit beside other Series 5.2 units on one shelf, and its low height keeps a stack of two or three components low enough for a standard rack bay.

Pairing

With the same level on both outputs, the CD-5.2 matches any integrated amplifier or preamplifier. Using its volume control, it can feed a stereo power amplifier or a pair of active monitors directly, with no preamplifier in between. The XLR output makes runs of several metres to a power amplifier or active speakers straightforward. The coaxial and optical outputs let an external DAC take over conversion later, so the player can remain in use as a transport.

Alternatives

Gold Note's CD-1000 MkII is the full-width CD player with dual-mono power supply and optional valve output stage.