Gold Note Valore 425 Lite turntable

La Gold Note Valore 425 Lite turntable is the entry-level model from the Italian manufacturer. However, despite its affordable price, this turntable can already be considered fully developed.

La Gold Note Valore 425 Lite offers an innovative approach, while sticking to classic and therefore approved technical choices !

Gold Note Valore 425 Lite: chassis

The presentation is simple but perfectly designed to make "music."

The chassis is made from 30 mm thick MDF (medium). It is coated with a matte black epoxy paint. Half-moon circular cutouts are present around the bearing to break mechanical vibration nodes.

Like all products Gold Note, this turntable is entirely handmade in Italy with very high-quality materials.

Gold Note Valore 425 Lite: platter and drive

The 20 mm thick board is made of an HDF sandwich and covered with a layer of polyacetal (POM) on both sides to improve overall damping and rigidity. It is paired with a wool felt cover.

Gold Note worked to maintain an extra-low gap between the platter and the base of the vinyl record playerIn order to cancel out the turbulence caused by the rotation of moving masses. This therefore allows optimizing the rotational stability of the platter.

The shaft/bearing is machined with great precision. It is identical to those found on the higher-end models of the manufacturer.

This platter is driven at its periphery by a belt made of ground polyvinyl NBR (70 elastic fibers). The motor was developed in collaboration with the brand Mechtex. It is a 12 V AC synchronous model. It is electronically controlled to reduce its vibrational behavior and, of course, to manage speed stability at 33t and 45t.

Gold Note Valore 425 Lite: arm and accessories

La Gold Note Valore 425 Lite turntable is equipped with a magnificent Gold Note B-5 tonearm. This 9-inch model is a slightly more economical variant of the manufacturer's famous B-5.1 model. It of course allows association with many MM cellsAnd MC cells, or even high-end models.

The Valore 425 Lite also comes with an acrylic dust cover and an excellent phono cable.

Gold Note Valore 425 Lite: test and listening

We tested the Valore 425 Lite with two MM cartridges and two MC cartridges: one Italian MM and one MC (Gold Note!) and the other two from Danish origin (Ortofon).

From the very first measurements, there is an excellent balance between dynamics and nuance, and between clarity and texture. This also makes it quite neutral and therefore quite versatile. It shows excellent firmness in the lower end of the spectrum.

The bass line is perfectly clear and offers a very enjoyable "physical" playability on an electric bass or a sequencer as well as on a double bass. However, this part of the spectrum remains nuanced and subtle, as can be appreciated when listening to a pianist's left hand.

The medium is the very reflection of the analog restitution. We are very close to a professional tape recorder magnetic tape. The female voices are present and full of emotion. The grain of the voice as well as the texture of the strings and winds are perfectly reproduced.

The quality of the high end of the spectrum also contributes to it. It is not the most informative but it is perfectly integrated with the midrange and it gives a beautiful "smoothness" to the whole.

La Gold Note Valore 425 Lite turntable offers magnificent musicality and surprising performance for a product in this price range. This beautiful Italian is a superb alternative to the Rega Planar 3 turntablesAnd Pro-Ject X2.

We also commend the manufacturing, finishing, and quality of the supplied elements (cover, cable, accessories…).

Our favorite!

AWARDS :

On Top Audio - 2017

Audio Test (Germany) - 2018