Gold Note
Gold Note Machiavelli MKII Gold Cartridge
Best moving coil cartridge for audiophiles seeking exceptional clarity and fluidity.
The Gold Note Machiavelli MKII Gold Cartridge is an exceptional Moving Coil cartridge designed for discerning audiophiles. It boasts an elegant Duralumin 7000 alloy body, housing a rigid Boron cantilever and a high-precision Line Contact diamond. This cartridge delivers surprising fluidity and extended dynamics, making it a reference in the MC field. Developed over a decade, it offers superb dynamic performance and remarkable smoothness for an enhanced LP listening experience.
$3799.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
231
/ 1984
#231 in Turntable Accessories
Price vs Category Average
+202%
Above average
Type
MC Low Output Phono Cartridge
/ MC Low Output Phono Cartridge
Who it's for
- Audiophiles seeking immersive and highly detailed soundscapes
- Listeners prioritizing long-term reliability and premium build quality
- Vinyl collectors demanding precise groove tracking and minimal distortion
Who should skip it
- Novice users intimidated by complex calibration and alignment processes
- Owners of standard systems lacking high-gain phono amplification
- Budget-conscious hobbyists looking for entry-level pricing
Performance breakdown
Sonic Fluidity
Delivers a seamless, liquid presentation that elevates complex musical passages.
Build Integrity
Duralumin 7000 alloy construction provides exceptional structural rigidity and resonance control.
Tracking Precision
The high-precision Line Contact diamond ensures accurate groove tracing and detail retrieval.
Dynamic Range
Captures the full scale of recordings with impressive punch and subtle nuance.
Cantilever Rigidity
Boron material minimizes unwanted vibrations for a cleaner, more transparent signal.
Frequency Extension
Broad 10-40kHz response captures deep bass and airy, shimmering high frequencies.
Key Specs
Type
MC Low Output Phono Cartridge
Output Level
0.4mV
Cantilever
Boron
Diamond
Line Contact (5×20μm)
Frequency Response
10-40000Hz
Suggested Tracking Weight
1.8g to 2.1g
Impedance
30Ω
Weight
10g
Features
- Elegant Duralumin 7000 alloy body
- Surprising fluidity and extended dynamics
- Low output level of 0.4mV
- Extra rigid Boron cantilever
- High-precision Line Contact diamond
- Manufactured with Ogura diamond expertise
- Superb dynamic performance
- Perfect smoothness
What customers say
The Gold Note Machiavelli MKII Gold Cartridge earns high praise for its exceptional sonic performance and premium build quality. Users consistently report a detailed yet nonfatiguing presentation, creating an expansive soundstage with precise instrument placement. The sound signature perfectly balances warmth and clarity, retrieving micro-dynamics that enrich vinyl listening. Beyond the audio excellence, the luxurious gold finish and precision engineering reinforce its status as a meticulously crafted component. While the investment is significant, experienced audiophiles feel the substantial performance upgrade justifies the cost. The consensus is that this cartridge elevates high-end analog systems when matched with capable supporting gear, delivering elite reproduction.
Know before you buy
This is a low-output Moving Coil (MC) cartridge with a 0.4mV output. You will need a phono stage that supports MC cartridges with sufficient gain to handle that signal level.
The suggested tracking weight is between 1.8g and 2.1g. We recommend starting at 2.0g and fine-tuning based on your specific tonearm and listening preferences.
The Boron cantilever is exceptionally rigid and lightweight, which allows the stylus to track the record groove with greater precision. This results in improved transient response, reduced distortion, and better overall clarity.
The Machiavelli MKII Gold uses a standard 1/2-inch mounting system, making it compatible with the vast majority of modern and vintage tonearms.
The Line Contact diamond has a larger contact area with the groove walls compared to an elliptical stylus. This allows it to extract more detail and high-frequency information while reducing record wear.
The cartridge weighs 10g. This is a moderate weight that should balance easily on most high-quality tonearms, though you should verify your tonearm's effective mass range to ensure a good match.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$3799