Gold Note Mediterraneo X Turntable

Available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada, the Gold Note Mediterraneo X is a 10th-anniversary flagship turntable that elevates the iconic Mediterraneo with a machined-solid-aluminium upper plinth, a 7kg composite Al/POM platter, touchscreen motor control with adjustable torque, and Gold Note's B-7 Ceramic tonearm. Built entirely by hand in Montespertoli, near Florence, Italy — including the tonearm itself, which requires over 100 individual components — the Mediterraneo X is Gold Note's most refined statement of the Italian analogue tradition. Stereophile described the deck as one that "combines thoughtful design and contemporary Italian style," while Fidelity Magazine praised its "consistent development concept, perfectly thought-out handling, and high-quality, first-class materials."

Three-Layer Catenary Plinth — Michelangelo and Galileo's Curve

The Mediterraneo X's plinth is a three-layer structure: a machined solid-aluminium upper table, a 3mm stainless steel intermediate plate, and a lower plinth sculpted in solid Italian walnut hardwood — treated in an autoclave to make it inert and stable across climates from hot and humid to dry and cold. The lower plinth traces the catenary curve, the mathematically optimal shape for maximum structural rigidity with constant mass, first applied to architecture by Michelangelo and Galileo. Gold Note has used this catenary geometry across their turntable range to eliminate resonance pathways and deliver exceptional stability to the bearing and tonearm. Three height-adjustable anodised aluminium feet complete the mechanical isolation.

Touchscreen Motor Control — Adjustable Torque in Real Time

All turntable functions are controlled through a touchscreen display — an unusual and genuinely useful feature at this level. Beyond standard speed switching (33⅓ and 45rpm with fine pitch control), the Mediterraneo X allows the listener to adjust motor torque in five stages while a record is playing. According to Gold Note, high torque delivers a presentation reminiscent of direct-drive — more grip and drive — while low torque is more characteristic of traditional belt-drive character. This is, as Fidelity Magazine noted, "as far as I know, unique" among production turntables. The motor — a 12V synchronous unit decoupled from the chassis via elastomers and custom resin spacers — is driven by a proprietary Quadral-Core microcontroller with an audio-grade converter for perfectly clean AC reconstruction.

Stylus Timer — Know When Your Cartridge Needs Attention

A new feature exclusive to the X is the stylus timer, which logs the cumulative hours the cartridge has been in use. This is displayed on the touchscreen and allows the owner to accurately track stylus wear — an invaluable tool for cartridges with manufacturer-specified service intervals, ensuring neither premature replacement nor inadvertent record damage from a worn stylus.

7kg Aluminium/POM Composite Platter

The platter is machined from solid aluminium and loaded with high-density POM (polyoxymethylene) — a dense engineering polymer chosen for its vibration-damping properties. At 45mm thick and 7kg, the platter provides substantial rotational inertia for speed stability and resonance suppression. The Split-Spindle™ clamping design and a 4.3mm ceramic ball bearing complete the bearing assembly. Drive is via a 70-shore rectified EPDM belt from a remote motor housing.

B-7 Ceramic Tonearm — Hand-Built in Florence

The Mediterraneo X is supplied with Gold Note's B-7 Ceramic tonearm — a 9" gimbal-bearing design with a titanium wand, four high-precision ceramic ball bearings manufactured by GRW of Germany, and a stainless steel counterweight. Every B-7 is assembled by hand in-house at Gold Note's facility, with each arm requiring more than 100 individual components. Internal wiring is particularly pure copper, and the supplied phono cable features solid, tight-fitting plugs with a metal sleeve — a complete signal chain of premium quality.

Key Features

• Three-layer catenary plinth: solid aluminium + stainless steel + Italian walnut hardwood
• 7kg machined aluminium/POM composite platter — 45mm thick, Split-Spindle™ design
• 4.3mm ceramic ball platter bearing
• Belt drive — 70-shore rectified EPDM belt
• 12V synchronous motor with Quadral-Core microcontroller — motor decoupled via elastomers
• Touchscreen display — speed, fine pitch control, adjustable torque (5 stages), stylus timer
• Variable torque control in real time — unique feature, adjustable while playing
• Stylus usage timer — monitors cumulative cartridge hours
• Gold Note B-7 Ceramic 9" tonearm — titanium wand, GRW ceramic bearings, hand-assembled
• Three height-adjustable anodised aluminium feet
• Top-quality RCA connectors + phono cable included
• Smoked acrylic dust cover with hinges included
• Finish: Italian walnut hardwood / matt black varnished aluminium / black anodised platter
• Hand-built in Montespertoli, Florence, Italy

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the adjustable motor torque on the Mediterraneo X actually do?

The Mediterraneo X allows the listener to vary the torque applied to the platter motor in five stages while a record is playing. At high torque, the motor applies more driving force to the platter — producing a presentation with more grip, speed, and authority, similar in character to a direct-drive turntable. At low torque, the motor applies less force and the belt absorbs more variation, resulting in a softer, more traditional belt-drive character. This is a genuinely unique feature among production turntables, allowing the listener to tailor the sonic character to the music and their preferences.

What is the catenary curve on the Gold Note Mediterraneo X?

The catenary is the mathematical curve formed by a hanging chain or cable under its own weight — it is the shape of maximum structural efficiency for a given mass. Michelangelo and Galileo both studied and applied it in architecture. Gold Note borrowed this geometry for the curved lower plinth of the Mediterraneo range because it provides maximum rigidity with minimum material, eliminating resonance pathways between the plinth and the bearing assembly.

Does the Gold Note Mediterraneo X come with a tonearm and phono cable?

Yes. The Mediterraneo X is supplied complete with the Gold Note B-7 Ceramic 9" tonearm — assembled by hand in Florence — as well as a high-quality phono cable with solid metal-sleeved RCA plugs. A smoked acrylic dust cover with hinges is also included. A cartridge is not included and must be purchased separately.

What is the stylus timer feature on the Mediterraneo X?

The stylus timer is a touchscreen function that records the total cumulative hours the turntable has been playing. This allows the owner to accurately track stylus wear relative to the cartridge manufacturer's recommended service or replacement interval — preventing both premature replacement and undetected stylus wear that could damage records.

Where can I buy the Gold Note Mediterraneo X in Toronto, Canada?

The Gold Note Mediterraneo X is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Contact us for current pricing, cartridge pairing recommendations, and phono stage matching advice.