The Gold Note Valore 425 Plus turntable is the enhanced version of the famous Valore 425 Lite turntable. It uses the same elements of the latter and improves a number of points to optimise the performance and drastically improve reproduction quality.
It adopts the same approach as the 425 Lite while staying on conventional and thus approved technical choices!
GOLD NOTE VALORE 425 PLUS: CHASSIS
The appearance remains sober and stylish! However, the different finishes provide a very high-end aspect: silver, Italian walnut, acrylic and lacquered black.
The chassis is made from 30 mm thick MDF (medium). It was optimised to provide as little colouration as possible. There are half moon-shaped circular cuts around the bearing to break mechanical vibration nodes.
The turntable stands on three specific feet that are different from the regular cones.
Like every Gold Note product, this turntable is entirely handmade in Italy with very high-quality materials.
GOLD NOTE VALORE 425 PLUS: PLATTER
The 22 mm thick platter is made of POM. The platter comes with a wool felt platter mat. The spindle is 60 mm long. It’s finely machined to provide precise rotation without any friction.
Gold Note worked at keeping an extremely limited gap between the platter and the plinth of the turntable to suppress turbulence generated by the rotation. Therefore, it allows to optimise platter rotation stability.
The platter is driven at its rim by a 70-shore rectified EPDM belt. The motor has been developed via partnership with Mechtex. It consists of a 12 V AC synchronous model. It is electronically-operated to reduce its vibration behaviour and of course handle speed control at 33 and 45 rpm.
GOLD NOTE VALORE 425 PLUS: TONEARM AND ACCESSORIES
The Gold Note Valore 425 Plus turntable features a superb Gold Note B-5 tonearm. This 9” model is a slightly cheaper variant of the manufacturer’s famous B-5.1 model. Naturally, it can be associated with numerous MM cartridges and MC cartridges, and even high-end models.
We’ve had the chance to witness its excellent qualities several times now, it plays a big role in the reproduction quality of Gold Note turntables.
The Valore 425 Plus also comes with an acrylic dust cover and an excellent phono cable.
GOLD NOTE VALORE 425 PLUS: TESTING AND LISTENING
We’ve tested the Valore 425 Plus with two MM and two MC cartridges: an Italian MM and MC (Gold Note!) and two Danish ones (Ortofon).
The instruments and vocals are provided with a definition and substance offering top-notch musicality to the turntable. The reproduction is balanced between transparency, dynamics, nuance and width.
The wide soundstage extends in width as well as in depth with realism. It also shows remarkable confidence in the low end of the spectrum with a very realistic swing and rhythmic marking.
Midrange is the true representation of the analogue reproduction. It is not far from the magnetic strip of a professional tape recorder. Female vocals are present and full of emotions. The vocal timbre and the strings and winds’ texture are also perfectly reproduced. The Gold Note Valore 425 Plus is surely part of this series’ best turntables in this register. It’s associated with particularly silky and nuanced high frequencies offering magnificent “softness” to the set.
The Gold Note Valore 425 Plus turntable is a superb turntable available in high-quality finishes. It provides stunning musicality and performance for a product sold at this price.
Our favourite!
AWARDS:
HiFi Pig - 2019
Hi-Fi Choice - Recommended - 2017
On Top Audio - 2017
The Audiophile Man - 8/10 - 2019
HiFi+ - Highly Commended - 2019
FranckPrinciple: rigid turntable
Wow and flutter: 0.2%
Rumble: -75 dB
Speeds: 33 and 45 rpm ±0.1%
Speed control: electronic
Drive principle: belt
Motor: 12 V synchronous
Chassis: 30 mm MDF
Platter: 23 mm POM
Platter bearing: 5 mm ball bearing
Platter spindle: Split-Spindle™ clamping design
Tonearm: Gold Note B-5
Phono cable: Din/RCA
Dust cover: acrylic
Power supply: 18 V
Dimensions: 425 x 170 x 360 mm
Weight: 7 kg
Customer reviews
Pour moi, la meilleure dans ce segment de prix
Je m'étais fixer une fourchette de prix pour la platine, et l'objectif de rester en MM, (plus "gérable" que du MC, mais ce n'est que ma position personnelle), et après discussion avec Franck sur les bras, moteurs, cellules, j'ai suivi mon idée première de choisir Gold Note.
Très grosse "boite" de haut de gamme italienne bien cotée et bien visible sur Internet, conçoit et fabrique les bras de ses platines (comme l'indique Franck: les seuls avec Pro-ject et Rega).
Enchanté de mon achat, je recommande cette platine dans la gamme "autour de 1500 euros"
Alain, Brest