Gold Note CD-1000 MKII Deluxe – CD Player with Integrated DAC
Italian reference CD playback with a flagship BurrBrown DAC. The Gold Note CD-1000 MKII Deluxe is a state-of-the-art CD player and digital-to-analogue converter combining an aluminium Stream-Unlimited transport, dual-mono power supply and the superior BurrBrown PCM1792A DAC. It delivers a natural, detailed and powerful sound that can anchor a truly refined stereo system.
- Deluxe version with top-grade BurrBrown PCM1792A 24-bit/192 kHz DAC
- High-precision Stream-Unlimited JPL-2800 CD mechanism with ultra-low jitter
- Coaxial and optical digital inputs for use as a premium external DAC
- Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analogue outputs, plus digital S/PDIF out
- Upgradeable with Gold Note TUBE-1012/006 and PSU-1250/1000 external units
Product Overview
The Gold Note CD-1000 MKII Deluxe is conceived as a complete digital front end, integrating a high-quality CD transport and a reference DAC in a single, elegant chassis. The Deluxe version replaces the standard PCM1796 with the higher-spec BurrBrown PCM1792A, offering improved resolution and dynamic capability while preserving Gold Note’s fluid, musical presentation.
At its heart is the aluminium JPL-2800 transport from Stream-Unlimited, chosen for its rotational stability, ultra-low jitter and reliability. A dual-mono power supply with carefully regulated rails feeds the analogue and digital stages, minimising noise and ensuring consistently clean operation. With its coaxial and optical inputs, the CD-1000 MKII Deluxe also functions as a high-end DAC for external sources such as TV, media players or digital transports.
Listening Experience
The CD-1000 MKII Deluxe offers a smooth, spacious and highly articulate listening experience. Bass is firm and controlled, giving music a solid foundation without sounding heavy or bloated. The midrange is open, nuanced and expressive, presenting vocals and acoustic instruments with convincing texture and tone colour.
High frequencies are airy and refined, with excellent extension but no digital glare. Micro-detail, ambient cues and reverb tails are rendered clearly, contributing to a wide, deep soundstage with stable imaging. Whether you are playing well-loved CDs or feeding digital sources into the DAC section, the presentation feels effortless and engaging, inviting long, relaxed listening sessions.
Recommended System Context
The CD-1000 MKII Deluxe is ideal for ambitious stereo systems built around high-quality integrated or pre/power amplifiers and revealing loudspeakers. It can serve as:
- The main CD player in a reference two-channel system
- A high-quality DAC for TV, streamers and digital transports via coax/optical
- A digital control centre feeding a preamplifier or integrated amplifier
For further performance gains, it can be upgraded with Gold Note’s TUBE-1012/006 external Class A tube output stages and PSU-1250/1000 super inductive power supplies, taking transparency, dynamics and soundstage realism even further.
Digital Inputs & Connectivity
Beyond CD playback, the CD-1000 MKII Deluxe offers versatile connectivity:
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Digital inputs: 1 × RCA S/PDIF coaxial, 1 × TOSLINK optical (24-bit/192 kHz)
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Digital output: 1 × S/PDIF coaxial (75 Ω)
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Analogue outputs: 1 × stereo RCA, 1 × balanced XLR
This allows you to integrate multiple digital sources and still benefit from the refined PCM1792A DAC and Gold Note analogue stage. A switchable digital volume control can be engaged if you wish to drive a power amplifier or active speakers directly, or bypassed for use into a traditional preamp.
Ideal Applications
- Reference CD playback in high-end stereo systems
- Digital hub for TV, disc transports and media players via coax/optical
- Systems where analogue-like, fatigue-free digital sound is a priority
- Gold Note-based setups seeking a matching digital source with clear upgrade paths
Technical Specifications
- Type: CD player with integrated DAC (Deluxe version)
- DAC chipset (Deluxe): BurrBrown PCM1792A, 24-bit/192 kHz
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.3 dB)
- Total harmonic distortion (THD): 0.001% max
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 128 dB
- Dynamic range: 127 dB
- Mechanism: Aluminium JPL-2800 Stream-Unlimited CD transport
- Speed fluctuation: 0.0001%
- Supported formats: Red Book CD; disc compatibility: CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3
- Digital inputs: 1 × RCA S/PDIF coaxial; 1 × TOSLINK optical (asynchronous 24-bit/192 kHz)
- Analogue outputs: 1 × unbalanced RCA; 1 × balanced XLR; 1 × dedicated TUBE-1012 connection
- Digital output: 1 × S/PDIF coaxial (75 Ω)
- Output impedance: 50 Ω
- Line output level: 2 Vrms (RCA); 2 Vrms (XLR)
- Volume control: Switchable On/Off digital partializer (off by default)
- Power supply: Dual-mono internal supply, 100–120 V or 220–240 V, 50/60 Hz
- Power consumption: 30 W
- Dimensions (W × H × D): 430 × 135 × 375 mm
- Weight: 12 kg (net); approx. 16 kg boxed
Why Choose the Gold Note CD-1000 MKII Deluxe?
The Gold Note CD-1000 MKII Deluxe is the perfect choice for listeners who want CD playback and digital conversion at a genuinely refined level, without splitting transport and DAC into separate boxes. With its superior PCM1792A DAC, Stream-Unlimited mechanism, dual-mono power supply, upgrade options and gracefully musical voicing, it provides a long-term digital reference for discerning audiophiles and hi-fi enthusiasts alike.
