The Gold Note Vasari Red MM cartridge offers an innovative design partly performed by computer modelling. The objective of the Italian manufacturer is to offer a high-performance moving magnet cartridge at an affordable price.
GOLD NOTE VASARI RED: CHARACTERISTICS
To do that, Gold Note optimised the MM technology using their expertise during every part of the process.
The body is made of photopolymer resin. It offers the advantage of being cheaper than aluminium while providing high-performance damping and limiting the formation of resonance and vibration.
The conical diamond is mounted on a hardened aluminium cantilever.
The generator is designed around copper coils and Alnico magnets. It provides a reasonable output level of 4mV perfectly compatible with all MM phono inputs provided with integrated amplifiers and all quality MM phono preamplifiers.
Furthermore, the weight and tracking force associated with its compliance make this cartridge pretty versatile; it’s compatible with most 9-inch tonearms.
GOLD NOTE VASARI RED: TESTING AND LISTENING
The Vasari Red provides performance well above its range. It’s better than renowned “star cartridges” of around 100 euros on numerous aspects.
The cartridge provides a full-bodied and “warm” timbre. It seems less clear than an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, but less dark than a Rega Elys 2 cartridge at the same time. No aggressiveness is felt, but it remains very transparent across the high end of the spectrum.
Across the low end of the spectrum, the response is full-bodied and silky, while being reminiscent of some legendary cartridges of the vinyl golden age through its very analogue reproduction. It also provides an extra soul to vocals, strings and brass.
If your Hi-Fi system is lacking transparency and clarity, the Gold Note Vasari Red MM cartridge may not be the ideal choice.
However, if you’re looking for a very analogue and balanced phono cartridge favouring musicality and silkiness, this might well be the perfect choice! In any case, it offers exceptional value for money.
AWARDS:
Hi-Fi News - Recommended
On Top Audio - 2017
Audio - Empfehlung - 2020
FranckPrinciple: MM
Output level: 4 mV
Frequency response: 15 - 25,000 Hz
Internal impedance: 1,000 ohms
Channel separation: > 22 dB
Cantilever: aluminium
Diamond: conical
Coil: copper
Magnet: Alnico
Body: photopolymer resin
Recommended load impedance: 47 kohms
Compliance: 10 x 10-6 cm/dyne
Tracking force: 2 g
Weight: 7 g
