GIOTTO
The Ear 2024: 'Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove' — Boron MC Cartridge
Description ⌄
GoldNote Giotto MC cartridge — high-end moving coil with nude elliptical stylus. MC cartridge with boron cantilever and Ultra Micro Elliptical stylus for accurate high-frequency response and low-distortion playback. Delivers 0.35mV output at 8Ω internal impedance and weighs just 10g for minimal tracking force requirements. Hand-built aluminium body with neodymium magnet 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
Analog listeners wanting a mid-range MC cartridge with a dynamic yet refined character; system builders bridging the Da Vinci and Machiavelli tiers Analog listeners wanting a dynamic yet refined mid-range MC cartridge; buyers bridging the Da Vinci and Machiavelli tiers Mid vinyl system: Giotto + B-7 Ceramic or B-5.1 + Mediterraneo or Giglio + PH-10 + PSU-10 + IS-1000 Deluxe
Awards & press
⭐ N/A "It offers an iron fist in a velvet glove." — Chris Frankland, The Ear, October 2024
Features ⌄
- MC cartridge with boron cantilever and Ultra Micro Elliptical diamond (5×150 µm) — 10–40,000 Hz, channel separation >30 dB, outstanding 3D imaging
- Ultra Micro Elliptical stylus profile provides excellent tracking and detail retrieval at moderate tracking forces for reduced record and stylus wear
- Low 8Ω internal impedance pairs optimally with high-gain MC phono stages; neodymium magnet assembly delivers high channel separation
- The Ear October 2024: 'an iron fist in a velvet glove' — dynamic yet refined character
- Ultra Micro Elliptical 5×150µm stylus provides excellent groove contact and reduced record and stylus wear
- Low 8Ω internal impedance pairs optimally with any high-gain MC phono stage including PH-10 and above