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Gold Note mediterraneo
Inspired by our Italian heritage, the Mediterraneo turntable combines beauty and technical perfection into a unique instrument for musical pleasure. It is our own ode to musical passion and dedication to vinyl.
The 60mm thick curved plinth design is based on the Catenary curve, a highly efficient concept developed by the Renaissance pillars, Michelangelo Buonarroti and Galileo Galilei.
Made of Italian walnut hardwood, the chassis benefits from the quality of such noble material: exceptional elasticity, strength, and high density.
The triple plinth structure is reinforced by a compelling 20mm board in polished acrylic and a 3mm thick stainless steel board to improve its exceptional damping quality and stability.
The wooden base sits on three elegantly shaped and adjustable spikes made of anodised aluminium.
The 45mm thick high-precision platter, made of high-density POM, is belt-driven and powered by a proprietary control system developed on a Quadral-Core microcontroller enhanced by an audio converter. The power control rebuilds the AC wave to perfectly drive the 12V synchronous motor, removing vibrations while improving its torque to deliver the greatest dynamic and the finest detail.
The Power Supply Unit electronically controls the 33⅓rpm and 45rpm modes as well as the fine speed adjustment, storing all settings in memory. The Mediterraneo features an 80mm long bearing/spindle design, made of the hardest rectified carbon steel to achieve perfect working fluidity. The bearing system is made of bronze guaranteeing the smoothest platter rotation.
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Professional Reviews 92/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
94/100
Features Usability
90/100
Value for Money
88/100
The Mediterraneo marries rock-solid pitch stability with a richly coloured, expansive soundstage, giving piano, strings and vocals compelling weight and presence. Hi-Fi Choice found its presentation warm, powerful and immersive, while Part Time Audiophile praised its truthful timing and revealing groove retrieval. Superb layered construction and easy setup complete a genuinely luxurious vinyl front end.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptionally stable speed and confident timing give piano and rhythm work impressive control.
Wide, deep imaging combines with warm, richly textured strings, vocals and acoustic instruments.
Superbly crafted layered plinth, substantial platter and precision hardware create a visually striking, low-vibration deck.
Straightforward setup and electronic speed control make it an unusually fuss-free high-end turntable.
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Cons
Its warm, euphonic balance can soften the finest detail and reduce incisiveness versus more analytical rivals.
The revealing presentation is less forgiving of thin or noisy pressings.
The tonearm lacks on-the-fly VTA adjustment.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
The Mediterraneo is widely praised for a sumptuous yet controlled presentation, pairing unusually secure timing with an expansive, solidly focused soundstage. Its rich tonal balance flatters strings, voices and acoustic instruments especially well, although several reviewers note that its warmth can soften the finest details.
Overall Sound
94/100
Reviewers describe a warm, powerful and deeply appealing sound with full bass, rich vocals, wide/deep imaging and convincing dynamic expression. Part-Time Audiophile also found it exceptionally revealing, tonally honest and rhythmically assured; the recurring caveat is that the deck's euphonic warmth can slightly obscure fine detail or vocal edge.
Speed Stability
95/100
Hi-Fi Choice and Hi-Fi News both call rock-solid stability the Mediterraneo's defining trait, citing exemplary piano pitch control and grip even with the standard power supply. Part-Time Audiophile likewise found pace and timing truthful, while its initial start-up was immediate and quiet.
Tonearm Performance
91/100
The supplied arm is described as a carefully made, precision-bearing design, with reviewers noting straightforward tracking-force and anti-skate adjustment. Reviewed versions include the B-5.1 and upgraded B-7 Ceramic arms; the latter adds easily adjustable VTA and azimuth, a hydraulic lift and ceramic bearings.
Noise Isolation
92/100
Part-Time Audiophile found minimal motor vibration at the plinth and called the Mediterraneo a notably quiet turntable. The broad, stable imaging reported elsewhere is consistent with a low-noise presentation, though the reviews offer limited direct discussion of footfall or acoustic-feedback resistance.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
94/100
Reviews consistently call the Mediterraneo superbly crafted, sleek and substantial. Its layered walnut, steel and acrylic plinth, thick POM platter, precision bearing and high-quality arm hardware are described in detail, while reviewers praise both fit and finish.
Features Usability
90/100
Electronic speed selection with fine pitch control, a supplied hinged dust cover and an included tonearm make this a well-equipped serious turntable. Reviewers find setup straightforward and describe it as easy to use and fit-and-forget; optional PST-10 power-supply upgrading offers a clear future path.
Value for Money
88/100
At roughly £5,445 in one review and €6,610 including the B-7 Ceramic arm in another, the Mediterraneo is firmly a premium purchase. Hi-Fi Choice nevertheless calls its build, elegant appearance, sumptuous sound and upgrade options an appealing proposition, particularly as a complete, low-fuss vinyl solution.
Reviews
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Authorized dealers for Gold Note mediterraneo
- 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)
and 100 more verified dealers