Gold Note CD-5.2 – A Compact Disc Player from Italy

Italian company Gold Note continues to expand its 5.2 series of electronic components with the introduction of the Gold Note CD-5.2 CD player, an evolutionary development of the popular Gold Note CD-5 model. The new unit features an updated chassis design, improved power supply, and a modern user interface. Among the new features is volume control, allowing the component to be connected directly to power amplifiers or active loudspeakers.

Gold Note has long been known for its distinctive approach to Hi-Fi: recognizable design, strong positions in the analog segment (especially phono stages), and a steadily evolving digital direction. With the Series 5.2, the company opens a new chapter – both in terms of design and technical execution.

The chassis of the Gold Note CD-5.2 is made of black anodized, sandblasted aluminum, providing high mechanical rigidity and reduced sensitivity to electromagnetic interference. In practice, this means fewer disturbances, a lower noise floor, and better microdynamics – especially on complex recordings with dense information, where a stable mechanical platform helps reproduce fine detail more accurately.

The Gold Note CD-5.2 uses a tray-loading optical transport from StreamUnlimited Engineering GmbH. It supports standard Red Book CD discs as well as CD-R and CD-RW. Digital-to-analog conversion is handled by the AKM AK4493 DAC chip from Asahi Kasei. Gapless playback is supported, which is especially important for live recordings and concept albums with uninterrupted transitions between tracks.

The Gold Note CD-5.2 is equipped with both an unbalanced analog RCA output and a balanced XLR output, each with an output level of 2 Vrms. Digital outputs are also provided: S/PDIF coaxial and optical Toslink.

A built-in volume control is implemented in the new model, allowing the CD player to be connected directly to a power amplifier or active speakers. In compact, minimalist systems – for example, with a stereo power amplifier or high-quality active loudspeakers – this makes it possible to dispense with a separate preamplifier. As a result, the signal path is shortened and system building becomes simpler.

An optional external power supply is available for the Gold Note CD-5.2, which, according to the manufacturer, can expand dynamic range and further improve detail retrieval. For demanding users, this opens up an upgrade path within the same system. Control is handled via a built-in touch display and a multifunction remote control. Thanks to this, the Gold Note CD-5.2 integrates well into modern audio systems while retaining familiar, convenient ergonomics.

The recommended retail price of the Gold Note CD-5.2 compact disc player has not yet been announced. The new model is expected to go on sale alongside other devices in the Gold Note Series 5.2 line.