Фонокорректоры — Gold Note Gold Note PH-5.2

The PH-5.2 is a phono stage from Gold Note, the Italian company based in Florence. It is the latest refinement of the PH-5, which was introduced as a way to bring the qualities of Gold Note's PH-10 and PH-1000 to a lower price. It was Gold Note's first product with a touchscreen interface, while keeping a fully analogue signal path.

Key specs that matter

It accepts MM and MC cartridges through a single RCA input, with outputs on RCA and balanced XLR. There are eight gain levels from 34 dB to 66 dB and nine input impedance options from 10 ohms to 47 kohm, with MM capacitance of 220 pF. Six equalisation curves are available, RIAA, Decca London and American Columbia, each with an Enhanced option. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.3 dB, extending to 50 kHz with the Enhanced curves. THD is below 0.05% at 1 kHz, signal-to-noise is 89 dB and output impedance is 50 ohms. A subsonic filter cuts at 10 Hz with 36 dB per octave.

Engineering and use context

The signal path runs in true Class A through discrete audio-grade components on a single circuit board. Each setting chosen on the colour TFT touchscreen is applied by relays that switch the signal path, so the display and processor never touch the audio itself. The layout keeps copper traces short to reduce interference. Decca London and American Columbia curves match the equalisation those labels applied before RIAA became universal. The Enhanced versions draw on technology inspired by Georg Neumann, maker of the Neumann disc-cutting lathe,. A steep subsonic filter blocks rumble and warp energy. The chassis is black sandblasted anodised aluminium, designed to reduce magnetic field interaction. A USB socket allows firmware updates. The rear carries an IEC mains socket with a rocker power switch and a DIN socket for the external supply. Gold Note sells the PSX-5.2 inductive supply as an add-on. Power consumption is about 10 W, with under 0.5 W in standby. The earlier PH-5 had the same concept with fixed 40 dB MM and 60 dB MC gain plus trim steps. The unit measures 200 x 80 x 260 mm and weighs 1.2 kg. Both outputs are live.

Pairing

The wide gain range and the nine load options accept cartridges from 0.1 mV MC to 10 mV MM, covering everything from high-output MM to low-output MC cartridges. The XLR output connects to any balanced line input.

Alternatives

Gold Note's PH-10 is the higher phono stage of the range with a larger feature set.