TESTED: Goldenote S-1 Signature Integrated Amplifier and Koala CD Player

Hit and Miss

The Koala is, in my view, a less successful product. It has a different set of sonic characteristics than the S-1, with less clarity and transparency, a softer presentation of dynamics, and less liquidity in its rendering of instrumental textures.

Although I can think of several CD players at or below the Koala’s price that I would rather own (the $1599 Cambridge 840C comes to mind), I’m hard pressed to name an integrated amplifier under $2000 I’d rather listen to on a daily basis.

SPECS & PRICING

Goldenote S-1 Signature integrated amplifier

Power output: 60Wpc
Inputs: Five line inputs on RCA jacks, one phono input (optional)
Dimensions: 17.3" x 3.5" x 13.8"
Weight: 22 lbs.
Price: $1866

Goldenote Koala CD player with tubed output stage

Outputs: Unbalanced on RCA jacks, balanced on XLR jacks; digital out on RCA jack
Digital-to-analog conversion: 20-bit Burr-Brown
Dimensions: 17.3" x 3.9" x 13.4"
Weight: 17.6 lbs.
Price: $2296

GOLDENOTE
Via dell agora 6
Montespertoli
Florence, Italy
+39 0571 675013
www.goldenote.it