Michael
Fantastic needle, it’s my second one already!
Comment from May 18, 2026 — Experience from May 07, 2026
Gold Note Vasari red
Overview
The Vasari Red is the entry-level moving magnet (MM) cartridge from Gold Note. Designed and made in the Florence region, it uses a photopolymer resin body, a spherical diamond stylus, and an aluminum cantilever. Its design is based on computer modeling and on the use of materials selected for their damping properties. It is intended for users looking to access the brand’s MM models.
Computer-aided design
The design of the Vasari is the result of a research and development phase supported by computer modeling, with the aim of achieving the best possible performance for a moving magnet cartridge.
The body of the Vasari Red is molded from black photopolymer resin, a material sometimes referred to under the trade name Delrin. This synthetic polymer is characterized by high strength, high rigidity, and a low coefficient of friction, which gives it remarkable dimensional stability. Compared with the aluminum used on higher-end models, this resin provides efficient damping while limiting the formation of resonances or vibrations, at a lower manufacturing cost.
The aluminum cantilever is inserted directly into the metal body of the cartridge rather than being mounted via an intermediate support. This design increases the rigidity of the assembly and improves tracking performance, enabling a wider and more linear frequency response.
The generator: Alnico magnet and copper coils
The magnetic circuit of the Vasari Red uses an Alnico magnet, an alloy of aluminum, nickel, and cobalt used since the early days of hi-fi. This ferromagnetic material is well known in the audio field, particularly for the manufacture of vintage loudspeaker motors.
Compared with modern rare-earth magnets such as neodymium or samarium-cobalt, Alnico has a lower magnetic coercivity, resulting in minimal fluctuation of the magnetic flux during record playback. Although less powerful than these more recent magnets, Alnico allows for the design of a generator with very low distortion. The coils are wound with copper wire, a classic choice for MM cartridges.
The 4 mV output level places the Vasari Red in the upper average range for moving magnet cartridges. This value makes it perfectly compatible with all MM phono inputs found on integrated amplifiers and with all quality MM phono preamplifiers.
A spherical diamond mounted on aluminum
The Vasari Red features a spherical (or conical) diamond stylus with a radius of 15.5 μm. It is the only model in the Vasari range to use this type of cut. This profile is the simplest to manufacture and offers good tolerance to alignment errors, making it particularly suitable for those who are just starting out with cartridge setup.
On the other hand, a spherical diamond does not penetrate as deeply into the groove as an elliptical or Shibata profile, and its contact area is smaller. The higher models in the range (Gold and Shibata) offer more advanced stylus profiles for those seeking more detailed retrieval of the information engraved in the groove.
Compatibility and installation
With a compliance of 10×10⁻⁶ cm/dyne, the Vasari Red has a relatively compliant suspension. This characteristic makes it compatible with medium to high-mass tonearms. Combined with its weight of 7 grams and a recommended tracking force of 2 grams, it proves versatile with the majority of 9-inch tonearms on the market.
The standard 9 mm spacing between the mounting holes makes installation easy on most universal headshells. The recommended 47 kΩ load corresponds to the MM phono input standard, eliminating the need for any special settings on the amplification side.
Three versions for three uses
The Vasari range includes three models that share the same generator but differ in their body and stylus:
| Model | Body | Diamond | Channel separation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Photopolymer resin | Spherical 15.5 μm | > 20 dB |
| Gold | Duralumin | Elliptical 7.5×15.5 μm | > 22 dB |
| Shibata | Duralumin | Shibata | > 25 dB |
The Vasari Red is suitable for relaxed listening and entry-level systems, offering a warm and dynamic sound. The Gold delivers more finesse and better tracking ability. The Shibata, at the top of the series, offers the highest resolution with a deeper soundstage and more sparkling highs.
Documentation
Technical specifications
Electrical specifications
- Type: MM phono cartridge
- Output level: 4 mV
- Frequency response: 15–25000 Hz
- Impedance: 1000 Ω
- Inductance: 500 mH
- Recommended load: 47 kΩ
Mechanical specifications and performance
- Compliance: 10×10-6 cm / dyne
- Channel separation: > 20 dB
- Recommended tracking force: 2 g
Components
- Cantilever: aluminum
- Diamond: spherical
- Size: 15.5 μm
- Coil wire: copper
- Magnet: alnico
Dimensions and construction
- Mounting hole spacing: 9 mm
- Weight: 7 g
- Body: black photopolymer resin with red logo
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Vasari Red compatible with my phono preamplifier?
Yes, as long as it has an MM (moving magnet) input. Its 4 mV output level and recommended 47 kΩ load impedance match the universal standards of MM phono inputs. No special adjustment is required if your preamplifier does not offer any settings.
What is the difference between the Vasari Red and the Vasari Gold?
Both cartridges share the same design principle, but the Gold uses a Duralumin (aluminum alloy) body instead of photopolymer resin, and its elliptical diamond stylus offers more precise groove tracking. The Gold weighs 9.5 g compared with 7 g for the Red and has slightly better channel separation.
What type of tonearm is suitable for this cartridge?
With its 10×10⁻⁶ cm/dyne compliance, it is intended for medium to high-mass tonearms, which includes the vast majority of 9-inch arms available on the market. It is less well suited to very low-mass arms.
Why has Gold Note chosen an Alnico magnet rather than a rare-earth magnet?
Alnico offers great stability of the magnetic flux during playback and generates little distortion. Although less powerful than modern magnets, it remains a relevant choice for MM cartridges where the moving mass is already higher than on MC cartridges.
Does the spherical diamond wear records out more quickly?
At the same tracking force, a spherical diamond exerts slightly more concentrated pressure on the groove than an elliptical or Shibata profile. By respecting the recommended tracking force of 2 grams and keeping records clean, wear remains perfectly acceptable.
User reviews
- Eco-contribution of €1.67 included in the sale price.
- Manufacturer reference: PF-CARTR-VAS-001-R
