Gold Note of Italy describes the Pianosa as the latest creation in its Italian Turntables Series, the belt-drive family that also includes the Mediterraneo and the Giglio. According to the company, the design centres on high-grade materials and technical measures aimed at eliminating vibration. It is supplied with the Gold Note B-5.1 tonearm and a transparent dust cover with hinges, and it costs USD 4,495 in North America.
Key specs that matter
The platter is made of dampened poly-vinyl and is 23 mm thick. Both 33 1/3 and 45 rpm are available, each held within 0.1 percent, selected electronically, and a fine pitch adjustment allows small speed corrections. Wow and flutter is specified at 0.1 percent and rumble at -77 dB. The turntable measures 425 x 170 x 360 mm (width, height, depth) and weighs 13.5 kg, while the shipping carton is 550 x 480 x 480 mm and 18 kg.
Engineering and use context
Two separate layers make up the plinth. Its lower section takes the shape of a catenary curve and is made either of walnut or of black lacquered MDF, handmade by Italian craftsmen who select and process each piece. Above it sits an upper plinth of black lacquered MDF, 20 mm thick, reinforced by a 3 mm stainless steel plate that adds stiffness and helps control vibration. The platter rides on a tempered steel spindle with the Split-Spindle clamping design and a 5 mm chromed steel ball bearing. A high-torque 12 V synchronous motor turns the platter by way of a 70 shore rectified NBR belt. The external supply provides 18 V DC from a 100 to 240 V, 50 or 60 Hz mains input, with maximum consumption of 27 W. Compared with the Giglio, the Pianosa swaps the POM platter and tungsten ball for poly-vinyl and chromed steel, and it uses an NBR belt in place of EPDM.
Gold Note lists four finishes. Gold Leaf pairs a black MDF upper plinth with black anodised aluminium details, Black Lacquered is black throughout, Italian Walnut combines the wooden lower plinth with black details, and White has a white lower plinth with matching parts.
Pairing
Gold Note offers two upgrades for this deck. Owners can fit the B-7 Ceramic tonearm in place of the standard B-5.1, and the stock supply can give way to the PST-10, the brand's external inductive power supply for turntables.
Alternatives
The Gold Note Giglio shares the series and chassis size but has a 33 mm high-density POM platter and a tungsten ball bearing.