Gold Note PH-5 - Phono stage

Gold Note PH-5 – Phono Stage

Flexible vinyl control with pure analogue musicality. The Gold Note PH-5 is a sophisticated MM/MC phono stage that brings much of the technology and sound philosophy of the PH-10 and PH-1000 into a more compact, accessible design. With touchscreen control, selectable EQ curves, adjustable gain and loading, it’s built to extract maximum performance from any cartridge while keeping the signal path fully analogue.

• MM/MC phono stage with touchscreen control
• Selectable EQ curves: RIAA, Decca London and American Columbia, each with Enhanced option
• Nine load settings and four gain levels for precise cartridge matching
• Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs for flexible system integration

Product Overview

The Gold Note PH-5 is designed as a high-performance, user-friendly phono preamplifier for serious analogue systems. Its interface is entirely managed from a responsive colour touchscreen, making it easy to select cartridge type (MM or MC), gain, loading and EQ curves in real time while music is playing.

Behind the digital control lies a fully analogue heart: the signal path uses discrete, audio-grade components and sealed switches, with relays changing the circuit configuration according to your settings. This keeps the audio route short and clean, minimising interference and noise while giving you precise, repeatable control over setup. An optional external PSU-5 power supply can further elevate dynamics, soundstage depth and overall realism.

Listening Experience

The PH-5 delivers a clear, dynamic and refined analogue presentation. Noise levels are impressively low, letting quiet details and ambience emerge naturally from the background. Bass is firm and well structured, the midrange is open and expressive, and high frequencies are detailed yet smooth, avoiding any sense of glare.

The selectable EQ curves (with “Enhanced” extensions up to 50 kHz) allow you to tailor replay to match different record cuts, improving tonal accuracy, stage width and transient impact. Whether you listen to modern audiophile pressings or vintage titles, the PH-5 provides the tools to get the best from each disc.

System Integration & Cartridge Matching

With adjustable gain and loading, the PH-5 adapts easily to a wide range of moving magnet and moving coil cartridges. Input sensitivity ranges from low-output MC to standard MM levels, and nine load impedances plus a fixed MM capacitance (220 pF) make fine-tuning straightforward.

Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs simplify connection to integrated amplifiers or preamps, while the compact chassis and elegant styling make it easy to place in any hi-fi rack. It’s an excellent upgrade for turntables that deserve better than the basic phono stage built into many amplifiers.

Ideal Applications

• Serious stereo hi-fi systems built around one turntable
• Setups using MM or MC cartridges needing flexible gain and loading
• Collections mixing modern and vintage pressings that benefit from multiple EQ curves
• Listeners wanting PH-10–style versatility in a smaller, more affordable package

Technical Specifications

• Type: Solid-state MM/MC phono preamplifier
• Inputs: 1 × stereo RCA with ground (MM/MC selectable)
• Input sensitivity: 0.1 mV (MC) up to 10 mV (MM)
• Input impedance: 9 steps – 10 Ω, 22 Ω, 47 Ω, 100 Ω, 220 Ω, 470 Ω, 1 kΩ, 22 kΩ, 47 kΩ
• Gain: approx. 40 dB (MM) and 60 dB (MC) with 4 settings (–6 dB, 0 dB, +3 dB, +6 dB)
• Capacitance (MM): 220 pF
• EQ curves: RIAA, Decca London, American Columbia – each with Enhanced option (extended response up to 50 kHz)
• Infrasonic filter: 10 Hz / 36 dB per octave
• Outputs: 1 × stereo RCA, 1 × stereo balanced XLR
• Output impedance: 50 Ω
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (up to 50 kHz in Enhanced mode)
• THD: < 0.05% @ 1 kHz
• Dynamic range: approx. 105 dB
• Dimensions: 200 W × 80 H × 260 D mm
• Weight: 1.2 kg (net)
• Finish: Compact metal chassis with front touchscreen
• Upgrade options: Compatible with external PSU-5 power supply

Why Choose the Gold Note PH-5?

The Gold Note PH-5 is ideal for vinyl enthusiasts who want a highly configurable phono stage with genuinely audiophile performance in a compact, easy-to-use package. With its touchscreen interface, multiple EQ curves, flexible gain and loading, balanced outputs and upgradeable power supply, it offers a compelling combination of precision, versatility and musical engagement for both MM and MC cartridges.