Gold Note CD-5.2 CD Player

The Gold Note CD-5.2 is a statement CD player for the audiophile who believes the format still has considerably more to give — a precision-engineered disc player from Florence that approaches Red Book replay with the same rigour and ambition Gold Note applies across the entire Series 5.2 range. Built around a Stream Unlimited tray-loading mechanism of exceptional precision and the AKM AK4493 DAC — the same chip at the heart of the DS-5.2 streaming DAC — the CD-5.2 makes an unambiguous case for CD as a genuinely world-class source format when the engineering behind it is worthy of the recordings it plays.

Stream Unlimited Transport

The mechanism at the heart of the CD-5.2 is supplied by Stream Unlimited — one of the most respected names in precision CD transport engineering. Speed fluctuation is held to just 0.0001%, a figure that has direct and audible consequences for the quality of digital-to-analogue conversion: reduced timing error means reduced jitter, and reduced jitter manifests as a more stable, coherent soundstage, better low-level detail resolution, and a presentation that holds together under musical pressure in a way that less precise mechanisms cannot sustain. Gapless playback is supported throughout, ensuring live recordings and concept albums are presented exactly as their makers intended — without artificial silences between tracks.

AKM AK4493 DAC and Balanced Output Stage

Conversion is handled by the AKM AK4493, a DAC of exceptional capability — dynamic range of 123dB, total harmonic distortion of just 0.001% — whose performance is given full expression by the CD-5.2's fully balanced analogue output stage. Balanced XLR outputs allow the CD-5.2 to connect directly to balanced preamplifier or integrated amplifier inputs without compromise, preserving the common-mode noise rejection that balanced topology makes possible over real cable lengths in real listening rooms. Digital outputs are also provided for those who prefer to route the signal to an external DAC or processor.

Chassis and Noise Floor

The black sandblasted anodised aluminium chassis is not merely a design statement — it is an engineering decision. Aluminium in this form interacts far less with magnetic fields than conventional materials, reducing a common and often overlooked source of interference that raises the noise floor and obscures the finest recorded detail. The CD-5.2's measured signal-to-noise ratio of 124dB reflects the success of this approach: in practice, this manifests as a genuinely black background against which musical information is presented with exceptional clarity — particularly on quieter passages and complex recordings where lesser players begin to lose composure.

Control and Interface

The CD-5.2 is operated via an intuitive touchscreen display with integrated volume control — allowing it to connect directly to a power amplifier in a simplified two-component system — and a multifunctional remote that covers all playback and level functions. CD, CD-R, and CD-RW discs are all supported under Red Book specification.

The PSX-5.2 Upgrade

The optional PSX-5.2 external inductive power supply takes the CD-5.2's performance to a level that the internal power supply, however well executed, cannot match — removing its residual influence from the signal path entirely, tightening dynamics, and bringing a greater sense of authority and composure to the CD-5.2's already refined presentation. For those building a serious CD-based system, the PSX-5.2 deserves consideration from the outset rather than as an afterthought.

Technical Specifications

Who Is It For?

The Gold Note CD-5.2 is built for the serious listener who has a substantial CD collection and refuses to accept that the format has been superseded. It suits those who want a front-end component of genuine ambition — one that pairs naturally with the broader Series 5.2 range, including the Gold Note PH-5.2 phono stage and the Gold Note PA-10 power amplifier — and rewards investment in a well-matched system upstream and downstream. Those exploring Gold Note's turntable range alongside CD will find the Gold Note Mediterraneo a natural companion.

Buying from Martins Hi-Fi

Martins Hi-Fi has been in Norwich since 1968. Elizabeth Gould runs the business today, and we stock only brands we have heard properly and stand behind.

You can hear the Gold Note CD-5.2 in our Norwich showroom, matched to a range of amplification and loudspeakers, to establish whether the PSX-5.2 upgrade is worth factoring into your system from the outset. When you get in touch, you'll be speaking with Dave, Chris and Tim — experienced specialists who can advise on the CD-5.2 and your whole system.

Contact us at info@martinshifi.co.uk, call 01603 627010, or WhatsApp on 07554 687137. You can read more about how we work on our Why Martins Hi-Fi page. We are at 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY.