Gold Note - DS-5.2 - Streaming DAC / Preamplifier

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A new idea of compact digital audio. The Gold Note DS-5.2 combines an AKM AK4493 DAC, 125dB SNR, Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect, HDMI eARC, Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX HD, integrated line preamplifier, headphone output, fully balanced XLR outputs, and the GN Control App — in the same elegant black anodised aluminium chassis as the PH-5.2 and CD-5.2. A true entry into the Gold Note hi-end world. Designed and built in Italy. The New Idea of a Compact Digital Source Gold Note presents the DS-5.2 — a compact, fully balanced, and deeply versatile streaming DAC designed to unite the world of traditional high fidelity with the demands of contemporary listening. It is not a simplified product. It is an intelligent democratisation of an evolved hi-end approach: offering the build quality, sonic maturity, and functional completeness that normally belongs to higher categories, in a form that integrates naturally into any modern system and environment. The DS-5.2 originates from the same philosophy that gave birth to the DS-10 EVO — one of Gold Note's most celebrated digital platforms — brought into a more compact and immediately accessible form, without depriving it of its design depth or its fundamental conviction: that a digital source should not simply reproduce a music file correctly, but should be capable of extracting the truth of the recording, respecting its identity, intention, and original coherence. Not About Numbers. About Understanding the Recording. In a world focused on DAC chips, specifications, and technical acronyms, Gold Note chooses a different path. The DS-5.2 was not created to generate an artificially impressive sound, or to impose effects, hyper-detail, or sonic characterisations built to impress instantly. It was created to eliminate everything that stands between the recording and the listener. Gold Note's engineers have developed the DS-5.2 against a vast database of reference recordings — works whose original context the company knows deeply: the instruments, the microphones, the studios, the sound engineers, the artistic and production choices that defined each recording's final character. This knowledge allows Gold Note to design digital architectures capable of recognising what belongs to the original recording and what is instead introduced by the limitations of playback — and removing only the latter. The result is not a more constructed sound. It is a more correct, more coherent sound, closer to the original intention of the work. Continuity with Gold Note's Analogue Philosophy In the analogue world, Gold Note approaches musical truth through correct equalisation curves — respecting the balance, dynamics, and character of a vinyl pressing as it was cut. In digital audio, the principle is identical but the method changes. Where the PH-5.2 allows a recording's original identity to be respected through correct analogue equalisation, the DS-5.2 applies the same philosophy in the digital domain: through deep knowledge of the reference, and absolute control of playback. The DS-5.2 and PH-5.2 are not just visually matched companions. They share a musical philosophy. AKM AK4493 DAC — 125dB SNR, 0.001% THD At the heart of the DS-5.2 is an AKM AK4493 DAC — implemented with the same care and component selection that Gold Note applies throughout its range. Signal-to-noise ratio reaches 125dB, dynamic range 120dB, and THD is just 0.001% — numbers that confirm the full resolution of every digital source reaches the analogue output stage without loss or coloration. Frequency response is flat to ±0.1dB from 20Hz to 20kHz — the tightest tolerance in the Linea 5.2 range. Roon Ready — Every Streaming Service, Every Format The DS-5.2 integrates a complete, full-featured streaming platform: Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect (including Spotify Lossless HD), Deezer, AirPlay, MQA, vTuner, and My Live Internet Radio — sharing the same network architecture developed for the DS-10 EVO, guaranteeing reliability, stability, and streaming quality. Dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 10/433Mbps), Gigabit LAN, and Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX HD 24-bit ensure flexible, high-quality wireless and wired connectivity. Supported formats via network include PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz (FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, OGG, MP3, Monkey's Audio) and DSD up to DSD256 (DSF, DFF). USB-A input (FAT32/NTFS, up to 32GB for pen drives) supports the same DSD256 and PCM 32-bit/384kHz resolution for local playback. Complete Connectivity — Seven Digital Inputs, HDMI eARC Seven digital inputs cover every source and scenario. Coaxial RCA and optical TosLink accept PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz from CD transports and other digital sources. HDMI eARC with CEC support enables direct integration with a television — bringing the DS-5.2's full DAC and preamplifier capability to TV audio. USB-C asynchronous input accepts PCM from a computer. Network and USB-A inputs handle the highest-resolution streaming and local file playback. A dedicated coaxial digital output and Bluetooth 5.2 output allow the DS-5.2 to serve as a pure streamer feeding an external DAC. An analogue stereo RCA input integrates any analogue source — turntable (via phono stage), CD player, or other analogue component — into the DS-5.2's signal chain. Integrated Line Preamplifier & Headphone Output The DS-5.2 includes an integrated line preamplifier function — switchable on or off — with balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA preamp outputs in addition to the fixed-level DAC outputs. A 6.3mm headphone output completes a connectivity picture that makes the DS-5.2 a genuine system hub: from a simple streaming DAC to a full preamplifier driving a power amplifier directly, the DS-5.2 adapts to the system rather than constraining it. Scalable — PSX-5.2 External Power Supply Compatible The DS-5.2 is designed as part of a modular, scalable ecosystem. Compatibility with the optional dedicated PSX-5.2 external power supply allows the system to evolve progressively — increasing control, stability, naturalness, and dynamic capability without replacing the unit. A contained and sustainable path towards higher Gold Note performance. Feature Cards 📡 Roon Ready — Every Service, Every Format Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect Lossless HD, AirPlay, MQA, Deezer, and more — via dual-band Wi-Fi, LAN, or Bluetooth 5.2 aptX HD. PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256 from network and USB-A. 🎛️ AKM AK4493 — 125dB SNR, Fully Balanced 125dB SNR, 120dB dynamic range, 0.001% THD, ±0.1dB frequency response — in a fully balanced design with XLR and RCA outputs for both DAC and preamplifier functions, plus a 6.3mm headphone output. 📺 HDMI eARC, 7 Digital Inputs & Bluetooth I/O HDMI eARC with CEC, coaxial, optical, USB-A (DSD256), USB-C, LAN/WLAN, and Bluetooth 5.2 inputs — plus coaxial and Bluetooth digital outputs and an analogue RCA input. The DS-5.2 connects to everything. 🔧 Scalable — PSX-5.2 Power Supply Compatible Optional PSX-5.2 external power supply unlocks greater dynamic control and naturalness over time — a progressive, sustainable upgrade path within the Gold Note ecosystem, without replacing the unit. Editorial Blockquote "DS-5.2 was not created to generate an artificially 'more impressive' sound. It was created to eliminate everything that stands between the recording and the listener." — Gold Note At-a-Glance Bullets Streaming DAC with integrated line preamplifier and headphone output DAC: AKM AK4493 Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz (±0.1dB) THD: 0.001% max — SNR: 125dB — Dynamic range: 120dB Output impedance: 100Ω Fully balanced analogue architecture — XLR + RCA outputs Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect Lossless HD AirPlay, MQA, Deezer, vTuner, My Live Internet Radio Network: Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (10/433Mbps) + Gigabit LAN Bluetooth 5.2 — aptX HD 24-bit (in and out) Network & USB-A: PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD256 (DSF, DFF) Digital inputs: Coaxial RCA (24/192), Optical TosLink (24/192), HDMI eARC (24/192, CEC), USB-A (DSD256 / PCM 32bit/384kHz), USB-C asynchronous (PCM 16bit/48kHz), LAN/WLAN, Bluetooth 5.2 Digital output: Coaxial RCA (24/192) + Bluetooth 5.2 Analogue input: 1 × stereo RCA (10kΩ) DAC outputs: 1 × balanced XLR (2Vrms) + 1 × unbalanced RCA (2Vrms) Preamp outputs: 1 × balanced XLR + 1 × unbalanced RCA (switchable) Headphone output: 6.3mm jack Colour touchscreen — cover art display GN Control App (iOS & Android) Multifunctional IR remote control included Compatible with PSX-5.2 optional external power supply Supported formats: FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, MP3, OGG, DSD256, Monkey's Audio, MQA UPnP / DLNA / Roon media server support Power consumption: 35W Dimensions (W × H × D): 200 × 80 × 260mm — Weight: 2kg Designed and built in Italy Available in Black Finish / Colour Options Black (black anodised aluminium) Specifications DAC & Performance Specification Detail DAC AKM AK4493 Frequency Response 20Hz–20kHz (±0.1dB) THD 0.001% max Signal/Noise Ratio 125dB Dynamic Range 120dB Output Impedance 100Ω Network & Streaming Specification Detail Wi-Fi Dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac — 10/433Mbps Ethernet LAN Bluetooth 5.2 — aptX HD 24-bit (input & output) Streaming Services Roon Ready, AirPlay, MQA, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Spotify Connect Lossless HD, Deezer, vTuner, My Live Internet Radio Media Servers UPnP, DLNA, Roon Supported Formats Specification Detail Network / USB-A PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz — DSD256 (DSF, DFF) Formats FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, MP3, OGG, DSD256, Monkey's Audio, MQA Digital Inputs Specification Detail Coaxial RCA PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz Optical TosLink PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz HDMI eARC 24-bit/192kHz — CEC supported USB-A DSD256 and PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz (FAT32/NTFS, max 32GB pen drives) USB-C (Asynchronous) PCM up to 16-bit/48kHz Network (LAN/WLAN) DSD256 and PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz Bluetooth 5.2 aptX HD 24-bit Digital Outputs Specification Detail Coaxial RCA PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz Bluetooth 5.2 aptX HD 24-bit Analogue Input Specification Detail Analogue Input 1 × Stereo RCA — 10kΩ input impedance Audio Outputs Specification Detail DAC — Balanced XLR 2Vrms DAC — Unbalanced RCA 2Vrms Preamp — Balanced XLR Yes (switchable) Preamp — Unbalanced RCA Yes (switchable) Headphone 6.3mm jack Controls & Interface Specification Detail Display Colour touchscreen — cover art support App GN Control App (iOS & Android) Remote Multifunctional IR remote — included Optional Accessory PSX-5.2 external power supply Power Specification Detail Power Consumption 35W Power Supply 100–240V, 50/60Hz Fuse 2A T General Specification Detail Chassis Black anodised sandblasted aluminium Dimensions (W × H × D) 200 × 80 × 260mm Weight (Net) 2kg Available Finish Black Origin Italy Closing Quote "Compact, elegant and versatile — DS-5.2 offers a true entry point into the Gold Note hi-end world, while maintaining the build quality, sonic maturity and functional completeness normally belonging to higher categories." 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