Gold Note T-5 Turntable, Black

The Gold Note T-5 is a compact, belt-driven turntable handmade in Italy – with a 15 mm glass platter, inverted bearing and a 9-inch B-5.2 tonearm already fitted. It gets you, fully ready, onto your first serious high-end deck.

In matte black lacquer, the T-5 comes across as restrained and modern: a deck that fits into any rack without imposing itself.

Why the T-5?

The 23 mm HDF plinth is precisely milled out at the crucial points – around the motor, the bearing and the edges. That breaks the transmission paths for vibrations before they reach the cartridge. On top of it runs a 15 mm thick platter made of ultra-clear glass, carried by an inverted bearing with a 5 mm chrome-steel ball: high running stability with minimal friction.

Drive comes from a high-torque 12 V synchronous motor. That keeps the speed calm and even – the foundation for the stylus to track exactly what's in the groove, not the tremor of the drive.

What you get

The T-5 comes with the fitted 9-inch Gold Note B-5.2 tonearm (derived from the B-5.1), a transparent acrylic dust cover and adjustable anti-vibration feet. You switch manually between 33 1/3 and 45 rpm by moving the belt. You choose a matching cartridge – and from there, it plays.

Who is the T-5 for?

For anyone who wants a compact entry point that still delivers genuine Gold Note sound. Bottom line: if you're looking for a fully automatic deck with a start-stop button and built-in phono stage, this isn't it – the T-5 is a purist, manually operated deck that needs a separate phono preamplifier.

Does the T-5 need a phono stage?

Yes. The T-5 delivers a pure turntable signal and needs a separate phono preamplifier, for example the Gold Note PH-10. We'll work out which one suits your cartridge together with you.

Our verdict

The T-5 is the sensible way into the Gold Note world: honestly built, good-sounding and without unnecessary ballast. Anyone who wants to get serious about vinyl without going straight into four-figure territory gets a deck here that isn't quickly replaced.

Technical data

• Type: belt-driven turntable, handmade in Italy
• Finish: matte black lacquer
• Speeds: 33 1/3 and 45 rpm (±0.1%), manual switching
• Wow & flutter: 0.3%
• Rumble: -72 dB
• Drive: high-torque 12 V synchronous motor
• Platter: 15 mm, ultra-clear glass
• Platter bearing: inverted, 5 mm chrome-steel ball bearing
• Plinth: 23 mm HDF, resonance-optimised milling
• Tonearm: Gold Note B-5.2, 9 inches, fitted (cartridge separate)
• Dust cover: transparent acrylic cover, removable
• Power consumption: max. 3 W
• Dimensions: 425 × 140 × 360 mm (W × H × D)
• Weight: 7.5 kg

Frequently asked questions

Which record speeds does the T-5 play?

The T-5 plays 33 1/3 and 45 rpm, both accurate to ±0.1%. You switch manually by moving the belt on the pulley. It's not designed for 78 rpm shellac records.

Is a cartridge included?

The B-5.2 tonearm is already fitted; you choose a cartridge separately, to taste and budget. That way we tune the system specifically to you – whether an affordable MM cartridge or something more refined. We're happy to advise you on the choice.

Why buy the Gold Note T-5 at HD Zürisee?

Because a turntable needs to be set up correctly: tracking force, anti-skate and alignment determine the sound. HD Zürisee in Wädenswil is an authorised Gold Note dealer; we fit the matching cartridge, set up the T-5 cleanly and, on request, deliver it ready to play. Free shipping from CHF 190.

Goes well with: the matching cartridge for the B-5.2 arm as well as further turntables to compare.