Gold Note has launched the CD-5, a CD player equipped with analogue and digital outputs. The CD-5 has DAC chips from AKM on board. The performance can be further increased by using the external power supply PSU-EVO10.
The CD-5 is the latest addition to the 5-series from the Italian Gold Note . Like the other members of this product line, the CD-5 is relatively compact. It measures 20 x 8 x 26 centimeters (W x H x D) and weighs three kilograms.
The CD-5 is similar to the earlier CD-10 , but unlike the CD-10, the CD-5 has no digital inputs. The drive is from manufacturer Stream Unlimited and is suitable for reading pressed CDs and self-burned CDs (CD-R and CD-RW). The DA converter is built around the popular AK4493 DAC chip from the Japanese AKM. The CD-5 can optionally be powered from the optional external power supply PSU-EVO10 power supply.
The audio path is said to be carefully engineered on a multi-layer PCB using audio-grade select components and single-sealed relays, ensuring the utmost purity of the signal all the way to the output. The analog signal leaves the CD-5 on the rear panel via balanced XLR or RCA connectors. There are also digital outputs for those who wish to use an external DAC.
Less common on CD players of this type is the small multifunctional touch screen on the front panel. An infrared remote control completes the feature set.
Gold Note claims a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/- 0.3 dB) and an S/N ratio of 124 dB. Maximum harmonic distortion is 0.001 percent.
