![]() ![]() Further, Gold Note claims that their precision bearing is designed to minimize vibration and oscillation, using a unique clamping system coupled with a brass spindle in a bronze encasement that rides on a tungsten ball bearing. All of these things are true of the Gold Note Mediterraneo’s platter, which is crafted of Sustarin, a dense composite material that seems a lot like Delrin. Often, the platter is large, heavy, and composed of a deadenedmaterial. In addition to requiring that precision of speed, they must also be as frictionless as possible so that minimal vibration is introduced into the equation. If the plinth is important, then the moving parts must be vital!Īlongside the motor, the platter and main bearing take on the task of spinning the record at the correct velocity. The plinth for instance is stationary, yet it greatly affects the overall performance and sound of the ‘table. Turntables amaze me because they rely on the integrated interactions occurring among so many moving and non-moving parts. This design actually adds effective mass to the plinth while saving on actual mass and material. Those wave-like curves, you see, add to the structural rigidity of the ‘table much like a well-designed arch creates strength in a building. It was chosen for its dense rigidity, which stems from the wood itself, as well as the uniquely curved design. While beautiful, there’s more to the chunk of cured Italian walnut than meets the eye. Resting on three cones, the sub-plinth alone almost looks like something that should be displayed in a modern art gallery. When I carefully extracted the Mediterraneo turntable from its box, the first thing I noticed was it beautifully sculpted wooden base. I can tell you that based on my own experience, this setup works exceedingly well. Even though the supply seems physically small, Gold Note indicates that it puts out six times the power output needed to effectively run the motor. Furthermore, the power supply is external to the ‘table, so noise is a non-issue. According to Gold Note, a smaller switching supply is more than sufficient to power the nearly frictionless and efficient motor that they have developed. Switching supplies have come a long way lately, and when properly implemented, they work quite nicely. Horror of horrors, right? Well, not really. Rather than opting for a heavy, expensive linear supply, the Gold Note designers chose a well-regulated switching supply. Take, for instance, the Mediterraneo’s power supply. That is a fine approach, but it’s neither efficient nor cost effective. We all know of high-end (and very expensive) gear that achieves its goals by throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the design and implementation. Go a bit beneath the surface, however, and you’ll find that there’s more – much, much more.Īs the Gold Note folks like to say, their design intent was to go smart, not overboard. Stepping back a bit, we see that the Mediterraneo offers many of the same features that other high-end ‘tables do: a precise, high torque motor a heavy platter a well-tuned, low friction bearing choice of (electronically adjustable) 33 and 45 rpm speeds and an external power supply. On the surface, the Mediterraneo looks like a typical high-end turntable, maybe with the exception of the beautifully sculpted lower walnut plinth (we’ll return to that a bit later…). Looking through the list of intentional design choices nearly boggles the mind. The Gold Note Mediterraneo is a design tour-de-force that also sees to dotting the “I’”s and crossing the “T”s. In short, attention to detail rules the day. Sure, vinyl playback is old school stuff, but pushing the technological envelope helps us to dig deeper into those grooves and draw out more of the musical magic encoded there. There’s plenty of innovation and technology here to impress that kindof perfectionist as well. Just like Sonus Faber speakers, this ‘table reeks of classic European style and panache it’s a visual work of art and thing of beauty. Wow! What is it about Italian audio gear? I have been recently blessed with a veritable feast for both the eyes and the ears …. Right at the tail-end of my time with the lovely Sonus Faber Sonetto II speakers, this lovely morsel shows up: the Gold Note Mediterraneo turntable ( website) fitted out with the company’s B7 ceramic tonearm.
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