Gold Note Donatello Red MC cartridge

The Gold Note Donatello Red MC cartridge proposes an innovative design partly performed by computer modelling. The objective of the Italian manufacturer is to offer the most high-performance low output MC cartridge  in its category.

Gold Note spent two years researching and testing to optimise the MC technology, using their expertise during every part of the process.

GOLD NOTE DONATELLO RED: CHARACTERISTICS

The cartridge has a machined solid duraluminium body. It provides perfect mechanical resistance and optimum damping while limiting the formation of resonance or vibration.

The Micro Elliptical stylus on this version is more complex than most Elliptical styli from this range. It’s mounted on a hardened aluminium cantilever.

The generator is designed around copper coils and samarium-cobalt magnets. It provides high output level for an MC cartridge and important impedance requiring a 47-kohms load. Yet the output level is still low compared to an MM cartridge, a phono preamplifier with adjustable gain and around 50 dB of amplification is required.

The weight and tracking force associated with its compliance make this Donatello Red pretty versatile; it’s compatible with most modern and older 9-inch tonearms.

GOLD NOTE DONATELLO RED: TESTING AND LISTENING

The Donatello Red provides a very textured reproduction with a nice presence.

It remains very detailed however, and provides sufficient transparency level. It doesn’t try to “shine” without reason or highlight a certain part of the spectrum. For instance, midrange is not artificially emphasised. It remains on the right spot, providing relatively neutral balance while offering superb listening pleasure and comfort.

Like most Gold Note products, the Donatello Red cartridge chooses to favour timbre rather than over definition. The small amount of surface noise allows to no hide any detail and preserve a very high transparency level.

Of course, there are the dynamics of high-output cartridges coupled with the nuance of the MC.

The high output level of the Gold Note Donatello Red MC cartridge allows it to be associated with MM phono preamplifiers  providing enough gain.

At this price, the Donatello Red is an excellent alternative to the Dynavector DV 10X5 or Sumiko Blue Point Evo  cartridges. Excellent value for money!