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Gold Note da-vinci
Da Vinci is a completely new MC cartridge designed for rich, detailed sound and perfect tonal balance.
With a Micro Elliptical diamond and lightweight cantilever in Aluminium, the Da Vinci delivers natural and smooth sound effortlessly.
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Professional Reviews 81/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
82/100
Build Quality
50/100
Features Usability
78/100
Value for Money
93/100
Gold Note’s da-vinci low-output MC cartridge brings taut bass, expressive vocals and lively dynamics to vinyl without tipping into harshness. The Ear found its timing, leading-edge definition and subtle detail especially compelling, making this a refined yet rhythmically charged choice for involving analogue playback.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Detailed, dynamic and lively presentation remains controlled rather than strident or harsh.
Taut, weighty bass and strong rhythmic timing give music convincing drive.
Open, emotionally expressive vocals and fine leading-edge detail enhance musical involvement.
Considered excellent value among competing premium moving-coil cartridges.
&
Cons
The review provides little direct evidence about soundstage width, depth or image placement.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 82/100
The Da Vinci is described as detailed, dynamic and lively, with a controlled, non-strident presentation that still communicates subtle musical information. Review evidence is particularly strong on timing, bass control and expressive vocals, while spatial presentation is not directly discussed.
Overall Sound
92/100
The Ear found the Da Vinci detailed, dynamic and lively without harshness, and said it could comfortably stand alongside its competitors. Bass was praised for greater weight, tightness, growl and control than a cheaper rival, while vocals were considered more open, expressive and human.
Tracking Retrieval
87/100
The review reports strong leading-edge definition, subtle cymbal detail and an ability to separate individual musicians while preserving excellent timing. It does not directly address difficult tracking tests, inner-groove performance or surface-noise behavior.
Soundstage Imaging
50/100
The available Da Vinci comments focus on detail, timing, dynamics and tonal expression rather than stage width, depth, image placement or layering. The review therefore gives little direct indication of its spatial performance.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 78/100
Tonearm compatibility and system fit require some care, as expected of a low-output moving-coil design.
Tonearm Compatibility
78/100
Its 12cu compliance, 10g body weight and 2g recommended tracking force should suit many medium-mass tonearms. However, the 0.4mV output means it needs a suitably quiet MC phono stage or step-up arrangement, making setup less plug-and-play than a typical MM cartridge.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
50/100
Gold Note specifies a Duralumin 7000 body, aluminium cantilever and Micro Elliptical diamond, suggesting a conventional premium moving-coil construction. The review offers little direct comment on assembly quality, durability or fit and finish.
Value for Money
93/100
At an indicated price range of $1,500 to $2,295, the Da Vinci sits in a competitive premium MC segment. The Ear explicitly called it “excellent value for money” and highly recommended it, while finding the more expensive Giotto worth its additional cost rather than diminishing the Da Vinci's appeal.
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Authorized dealers for Gold Note da-vinci
- Holt Hill — online and in-store — Andover, Massachusetts, United States (website)
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
- Altitudo Audio — online and in-store — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (website)
- Ambiance Concert — in-store — Angers, Pays de la Loire, France (website)
- Analog Matters — online and in-store — Ormond Beach, Florida, United States (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Anquan — online and in-store — Glika Nera, Greece (website)
- ARK Audio — online and in-store — Borensberg, Östergötlands län, Sweden (website)
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