{"product_id":"goldnotevasarigold","title":"Gold Note Vasari Gold MM Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Gold Note Vasari Gold is a moving-magnet cartridge with an elliptically ground diamond, an aluminium cantilever and a duralumin body, made in Italy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithin the Vasari series it's the middle tier – the step up from a solid entry point to real fine detail, without you having to touch the rest of your phono chain. If you already have an MM input, this upgrade needs nothing more than a screwdriver and a steady hand. Or us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the Vasari Gold?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo components make the difference from the Vasari Red. First, the elliptical cut at 7.5 × 15.5 µm: it sits narrower against the groove wall than a spherical cut and so catches high-frequency information that a conical diamond rides over. Second, the duralumin body instead of resin – highly rigid, well damped and heavier, which keeps the generator system calmer. Add copper coils and an Alnico magnet: proven technology, cleanly executed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore air and more contour than the Red, with the same easy-going nature. Cymbals sound like metal instead of noise, voices sit more precisely in the soundstage, the bass stays dry. With 4 mV and channel separation above 22 dB, it's uncomplicated to run and tracks accurately – a cartridge you can listen to for hours without it wearing you out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the Vasari Gold for – and who isn't it for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor anyone who wants more resolution from a decent deck and deliberately stays with MM. Bottom line: on a very basic entry-level deck without an adjustable tonearm, it can't show its potential – the Red does the job just as well there. And if you're after the very last bit of top-end finesse, look straight to the Vasari Shibata instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Vasari Gold is the sensible sweet spot of the series: audibly finer than the Red, without the effort of an MC system. We at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil fit it cleanly, set tracking force, azimuth and anti-skate, and tell you honestly whether the step up is really worth it on your deck.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhat the trade press says:\u003c\/em\u003e “The clear winner in terms of value is the Vasari.” – Henry Venema, TNT-Audio, 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical data\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrinciple: moving magnet (MM)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput voltage: 4 mV\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternal impedance: 1000 Ω\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended load impedance: 47 kΩ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInductance: 500 mH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended tracking force: 2.0 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStylus cut (diamond): elliptical, 7.5 × 15.5 µm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCantilever: aluminium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompliance: 10 × 10⁻⁶ cm\/dyn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrequency response: 15–25,000 Hz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChannel separation: over 22 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoil wire: copper · Magnet: Alnico\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting: standard 1\/2 inch, 9 mm hole spacing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStylus insert: replaceable (Gold Note Vasari Gold TIP)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody: duralumin, black with gold logo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 9.5 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the difference between the Vasari Gold and the Vasari Red?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cut and the body. The Gold has an elliptical diamond and a duralumin body weighing 9.5 grams, the Red a conical diamond in a photopolymer body weighing 7 grams. Output voltage, impedance, load, compliance and tracking force are identical for both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan the Vasari Gold's stylus be replaced?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Gold Note offers a matching replacement stylus insert for the Vasari Gold, the Vasari Gold TIP. So you keep the body and only replace the worn part – one of the practical advantages of an MM system over an MC. We'll order it for you and check the alignment at the same time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need a special phono stage for the Vasari Gold?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. With 4 mV output voltage and a 47 kΩ load, it's a classic MM system and runs on any MM phono input – whether built into the amplifier or as a separate stage. An MC-capable preamplifier or a step-up transformer is explicitly not required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes the Vasari Gold fit my turntable?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your tonearm has a standard half-inch mount with 9 mm hole spacing and is designed for around 9.5 grams of cartridge weight, it fits. On very light tonearms it's worth a quick look at the counterweight – just ask us, we'll check that in advance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eVasari Gold or Vasari Shibata – which is worth it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Shibata resolves finer highs, separates the channels better and reaches up to 30,000 Hz instead of 25,000 Hz. In return, its cut reacts more sensitively to imprecise alignment. On a well-adjustable arm the Shibata is worth it; on a simple arm the Gold is the safer choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Gold Note Vasari Gold at HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause a cartridge only shows what it can do once it's correctly mounted and aligned. We fit the Vasari cleanly, set tracking force, azimuth and anti-skate, and advise you on the right phono stage. In Wädenswil you have your own in-house technician for this – even after the purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cleanly adjustable \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonarme\"\u003etonearm\u003c\/a\u003e on the matching \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler\"\u003eturntable\u003c\/a\u003e is half the battle. If your amplifier still needs a phono input, you'll find one under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/phono-vorverstarker\"\u003ephono preamplifiers\u003c\/a\u003e. For clean grooves, \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/platten-reinigung\"\u003erecord cleaning\u003c\/a\u003e is worthwhile, and further cartridges are listed under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonabnehmer\"\u003ecartridges\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gold Note","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52989510386000,"sku":"304400","price":420.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/gold-note-vasari-gold-mm-tonabnehmer-schraegansicht.jpg?v=1785925333","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/goldnotevasarigold","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}