Gold Note Giglio Turntable, Walnut Black Gloss

The Gold Note Giglio is a belt-driven turntable made in Italy, supplied as standard with the 9-inch Gold Note B-5.1 tonearm, electronic speed switching and a dust cover.

Its chassis follows the catenary curve, the same shape that helped Renaissance master builders keep bridges stable – here it holds resonance out of the music. The polished, glossy black acrylic top plate gives the walnut body an elegant, mirror-like finish.

Why the Giglio?

Because every component here is built to fight vibration. The solid Italian walnut body is clamped together with a 3mm stainless steel plate and a 20mm acrylic top plate into a sandwich that damps wood, metal and plastic across different frequencies. The 33mm high-density POM platter, the 5mm tungsten ball bearing and the ground, hourglass-shaped pulley deliver a calm, even run – wow & flutter of 0.1% and a rumble figure of –78dB speak for themselves. You select the speed electronically at the push of a button between 33⅓ and 45 – no belt-swapping required.

What you hear

Warmth with definition. The wooden base gives the sound body and calm without swallowing precision in the treble – voices and acoustic instruments gain substance, the bass stays defined. With the factory-fitted B-5.1 you can start playing right after alignment; the tonearm offers height adjustment (VTA) and azimuth and, thanks to its two counterweights, accepts virtually any cartridge.

Who is the Giglio for?

For anyone moving up from an entry-level turntable to genuine high-end vinyl and looking for a deck that looks as good as it sounds. Bottom line: the Giglio is a mass-loaded design without a sprung sub-chassis – it doesn't feel at home on a springy wooden floor, so a solid sideboard or a wall shelf is a must. And: a cartridge is not included – you choose one to match, and we're happy to align the Giglio as a complete set.

Does the Giglio come with a tonearm?

Yes. The Giglio is supplied as standard with the 9-inch Gold Note B-5.1 tonearm (effective length 242mm, overhang 19mm); the B-7 Ceramic is available as an option. A cartridge is not included – we fit and align one to match for you.

Do I need a phono stage for the Giglio?

Yes. Like any turntable, the Giglio needs a phono preamp matched to the cartridge (MM or MC) – either as a separate unit or built into the amplifier. From our own range, the Gold Note PH-10 or PH-1000 are a good fit. We'll work out with you which solution suits your chain.

Our verdict

The Giglio is one of the most coherent decks in its class: Italian craftsmanship, thoughtful resonance control and a full-fledged tonearm from the factory, ready to play. We at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil set the Giglio up properly for you – placement, cartridge mounting, tracking force, VTA and azimuth – so it shows its potential from the very first groove.

Technical data

• Type: belt-driven turntable, electronic speed switching
• Tonearm: Gold Note B-5.1 (9 inch, effective length 242mm, overhang 19mm), factory-fitted; B-7 Ceramic optional
• Drive: belt drive, ground belt, hourglass-shaped pulley
• Motor: 12V synchronous motor (high torque), PWM-regulated power supply
• Speeds: 33⅓ and 45rpm, electronically switchable (±0.1%)
• Wow & flutter: 0.1%
• Rumble: –78dB
• Platter: 33mm, high-density POM
• Platter bearing: 5mm tungsten ball bearing, hardened chrome-plated steel spindle (split-spindle clamping system)
• Chassis: solid Italian walnut (catenary shape), 3mm stainless steel plate, 20mm acrylic top plate (black, gloss)
• Feet: three height-adjustable aluminum feet
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 425 × 200 × 360mm
• Weight: 14.5kg
• Included: turntable, B-5.1 tonearm, dust cover (acrylic, removable hinges), external PST-1 power supply, drive belt, user manual (cartridge not included)

Frequently asked questions

Does the Gold Note Giglio come with a tonearm?

Yes, the Giglio is supplied as standard with the high-quality 9-inch Gold Note B-5.1 tonearm; the B-7 Ceramic is available as an option. The cartridge is not included – you choose one to your taste, and we mount and align it professionally for you.

What surface should the Giglio stand on?

On a surface that's as stable and vibration-free as possible. The Giglio is a mass-loaded design with no sprung suspension; a solid sideboard, a rack or a wall shelf are ideal. On springy wooden floorboards, every footstep transfers straight into the groove – not what you want.

Can I upgrade the Giglio's sound later?

Yes. The supplied external power supply can later be swapped for a larger Gold Note power supply, which further quiets the motor. A higher-grade cartridge or the B-7 Ceramic tonearm also get more out of the deck. We'll show you what's actually worth it in your setup.

Why buy the Gold Note Giglio at HD Zürisee?

Because a turntable only plays as well as it's set up. We set up the Giglio properly at your place – placement, cartridge mounting, tracking force, VTA and azimuth – and match it to your phono stage. As an experienced team in Wädenswil, we give you honest advice and are here for you after the purchase too.

Goes well with: the matching cartridge – from our own range, for instance a Gold Note Vasari or Donatello – and an MM/MC-capable phono stage such as the Gold Note PH-10. You'll find more decks under Turntables.