MACHIAVELLI MKII GOLD

GoldNote Machiavelli MKII Gold — high-output MC cartridge. High-performance MC cartridge with boron cantilever and Line Contact 5×20μm stylus for precise groove tracing and high-frequency accuracy. Delivers 0.4mV output at 30Ω internal impedance with gold-plated silver AWG40 coil winding. Italian-made aluminium alloy body with reduced moving mass for superior transient response.

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-to-high-end analog system builders wanting a versatile MC cartridge that grows with the system; buyers stepping up from the Donatello range Mid-to-high-end analog builders wanting a versatile MC cartridge that grows with system upgrades; stepping up from the Donatello range Mid-high vinyl: Machiavelli MKII Gold + B-7 Ceramic or B-5.1 + Mediterraneo or Giglio + PH-10 or PH-1000 Lite + PSU-10

Awards & press

⭐ Original Machiavelli: Tone Publications Exceptional Value Award 2017 "The Machiavelli is capable of resolving enough information that should you take steps up in turntable or phonostage, you will be greatly rewarded." — Tone Publications, 2017