Gold Note Mediterraneo Turntable, Gold Leaf

The Gold Note Mediterraneo is a belt-driven high-end turntable from Italy whose curved, three-layer damped chassis puts mass, material and geometry deliberately to work against resonance.

In the Gold Leaf finish, the curved plinth carries genuine gold leaf, combined with a matte black acrylic top plate, black anodized metal parts and a black platter. This is no discreet deck for the sideboard, but a piece of furniture that makes a statement in the room – and happens to sound excellent too.

Why the Mediterraneo?

The shape isn't there just for looks. The 60mm thick, curved base follows the catenary curve – the same curve Galileo and Michelangelo already calculated with, because it distributes loads with particular efficiency. Underneath, 20mm of polished acrylic and a 3mm stainless steel plate act as damping. The result is a deck that swallows disturbances before they reach the needle.

A high-torque 12V synchronous motor drives the 45mm thick POM platter via a belt. The external control unit rebuilds the mains sine wave from scratch, holds 33⅓ and 45rpm precisely, and can be finely adjusted. In plain terms: even running, deep noise floors, no audible fluctuations.

What you get

The Mediterraneo is supplied complete with the Gold Note B-7 ceramic tonearm, the external PST-1 power supply and a transparent hinged acrylic cover. All you need is a cartridge of your choice – from there it plays. If you want more later, add the inductive PST-10 power supply and gain further calm and dynamics.

Who is the Mediterraneo for?

For anyone who takes vinyl seriously and wants a deck that plays in the top league both mechanically and visually. Bottom line: if you just want to "listen to records somehow," this is overdressed for you – the money goes into precision and build quality that only really comes through on a good system. And without a matching cartridge plus phono stage, that potential goes to waste.

Does the Mediterraneo need a phono stage?

Yes. The Mediterraneo delivers a pure turntable signal and needs a separate phono preamp – for example the Gold Note PH-10 or the larger PH-1000. We'll work out with you which one suits your cartridge and budget.

Our verdict

The Mediterraneo is one of those rare turntables where engineering and design speak the same language. In Gold Leaf it becomes an eye-catcher – but the real luxury is how composed and quiet it draws music out of the groove. A deck for life, not for the next season.

Technical data

• Type: belt-driven high-end turntable
• Finish: Gold Leaf (genuine gold leaf), matte black acrylic top plate, black metal parts and black platter
• Speeds: 33⅓ and 45rpm, ±0.1%, electronic with fine adjustment
• Wow & flutter: 0.1%
• Rumble: -80dB
• Drive: 70-Shore EPDM belt, high-torque 12V synchronous motor
• Platter: 45mm, high-density POM
• Platter bearing: 5mm tungsten ball bearing, split-spindle clamping design
• Bearing/spindle: 80mm, hardened carbon steel, bronze bearing
• Tonearm: Gold Note B-7 (ceramic/titanium), included
• Plinth: 60mm curved catenary plinth, 20mm acrylic + 3mm stainless steel
• Power supply: PST-1 (18V DC, 100–240V / 50–60Hz), PST-10 upgrade available
• Power consumption: max. 27W
• Included: B-7 tonearm, PST-1 power supply, acrylic cover (cartridge separate)
• Dimensions: 470 × 210 × 360mm (W × H × D)
• Weight: 20kg

Frequently asked questions

Does the Mediterraneo come with a cartridge?

No. The Mediterraneo comes with the Gold Note B-7 tonearm, the PST-1 power supply and the acrylic cover, but without a cartridge. That way you can tune the system – MM or MC – precisely to your sonic taste and your phono stage. We're happy to help you choose.

Which record speeds does it handle?

The Mediterraneo plays 33⅓ and 45rpm, electronically switched and accurate to ±0.1%. A fine adjustment additionally allows precise tuning of the speed. It's not designed for 78rpm shellac records.

How heavy is the Mediterraneo and what surface does it need?

At around 20kg it's a heavyweight and belongs on a stable, ideally decoupled piece of furniture or wall shelf. The calmer the surface, the more of its smooth running comes through to the ear. We're happy to help you find the right rack or shelf.

Why buy the Gold Note Mediterraneo at HD Zürisee?

Because a deck in this class demands setup, placement and tuning – and that's exactly where we come in. HD Zürisee in Wädenswil is an authorized Gold Note dealer; we set up the Mediterraneo with the right cartridge and the right phono stage and, on request, deliver it to you fully ready to play.

Goes well with: the matching cartridge for the B-7 arm, plus other turntables from our range to compare.