DONATELLO GOLD

GoldNote Donatello Gold MM cartridge — high-output moving magnet. MC cartridge with aluminium cantilever and Micro Elliptical stylus delivering 0.5mV output at 40Ω internal impedance. At just 7g, it pairs well with lighter-tracking tonearms and standard MC gain phono stages. Italian-made with precision matched coil windings for high channel separation.

Technical background

GoldNote cartridges are hand-assembled at the brand's Florence workshop. MC models use Samarium-Cobalt or neodymium magnet assemblies with coils wound from gold-plated silver AWG40 or copper wire at extremely low turns counts to minimise internal impedance. Stylus profiles progress from Conical (Vasari Red) through Elliptical, Micro Elliptical, Line Contact and Micro Ridge (Tuscany Gold), with cantilevers in aluminium, boron or sapphire depending on tier.

Design story

All GoldNote cartridges are assembled by hand in Florence, Italy, where each generator is wound and tested individually. The naming tradition honours Renaissance artists and thinkers born in Tuscany — Tuscany, Machiavelli, Giotto, Da Vinci, Donatello, Vasari — reflecting GoldNote's commitment to Italian cultural heritage and artisanal craft in every product regardless of price point.

Best for

Mid-level analog system builders wanting a highly praised MC cartridge at under €1,100; buyers upgrading from MM to MC for the first time Mid-level analog builders wanting a highly praised MC at under €1,100; buyers upgrading from MM to MC for the first time Mid vinyl: Donatello Gold + B-5.1 + Pianosa or Giglio + PH-10 or PH-5 + PSU-10

Awards & press

⭐ "If you're shopping in this price range, or even a little higher, do yourself a favor and seek out the Donatello Gold for an audition. It's an excellent cartridge." — Greg Simmons, Stereo Times, October 2020