Description
Not every audiophile player has to take center stage on a rack and take up half a shelf. The Gold Note T-5 is the Florentine brand's answer to the modern music lover's request: a compact, practical and at the same time authentic instrument for playing vinyl, in which the Gold Note signature "family" handwriting is recognizable - the same one that defines the brand's flagship models.
At the heart of the T-5 is a 15mm ultra-clear glass disc, designed to provide the right density and structure to extract small parts from the track while minimizing noise. The disc is mated to an inverted chrome-plated steel ball bearing with a 5mm ball, which increases the disc’s rotational stability and provides a virtually frictionless ride.
The 23mm-thick table is made of HDF (high-density fiberboard) and, according to the brand itself, is cut and profiled in strategic areas around the motor and disc axis precisely to stop the spread of vibrations. The drive belt is made of EPDM, a material that dampens vibrations well without being too brittle for long-term use.
The T-5 features a proprietary 9-inch Gold Note B-5.2 tonearm, statically balanced on four custom-made micro-bearings, with a 1mm thick 6000 alloy aluminum tube and shielded Hyper Litz AWG36 99.9999% oxygen-free copper wiring from the head to the RCA connectors, a rare solution for a player in this price segment. The needle pitch (VTA) is adjusted by a screw on the tonearm post, and the azimuth is adjusted by two screws at the tonearm-head joint.
The drive motor is a high-torque synchronous 12-volt motor, providing speeds of 33⅓ and 45 rpm with manual switching by moving the belt over a pulley. Complete with a clear acrylic dust cover.
The T-5 is the choice for those who want to start or continue their exploration of Italian analog sound without the need for a large financial investment. It is a player ready for cartridge upgrades - from basic MM to more demanding MC.
