Gold Note MEDITERRANEO User manual

OWNERʼS MANUAL
MEDITERRANEO
THE ITALIAN TURNTABLE

INDEX
2
PACKAGE CONTENT...............................................................................................................................
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................
KEY FEATURES......................................................................................................................................
SET-UP INSTRUCTION............................................................................................................................
INSTALLING THE PLATTER.....................................................................................................................
INSTALLING THE BELT AND THE TONEARM CABLE...................................................................................
ANTI-SKATING, AZIMUTH, COUNTERWEIGHT ADJUSTMENTS.....................................................................
VTA SETUP............................................................................................................................................
POWER SUPPLY....................................................................................................................................
POWER ADAPTER AND SPEED CONTROL.................................................................................................
CALIBRATION: CARTRIDGE OVERHANG, ALIGNMENT AND SPEED.............................................................
CARTRIDGE ALIGNMENT.......................................................................................................................
DETACHABLE DUST COVER....................................................................................................................
WARRANTY AND SERVICE......................................................................................................................
TROUBLESHOOTING.............................................................................................................................
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.......................................................................................................
P. 3
P. 4
P. 5
P. 7
P. 8
P. 9
P. 10
P. 11
P. 12
P. 13
P. 14
P. 15
P. 16
P. 17
P. 18
P. 19

PACKAGE CONTENT
3
WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN THE PACKAGE
•1 TURNTABLE plinth
• 1 DUST COVER (detachable)
•1 POWER ADAPTER with 12V cable
•1 B-5.1 TONEARM with the cable already installed
•1 COUNTERWEIGHT
•1 DRIVE BELT
•1 TURNTABLE CLAMP
•1 PLATTER SPINDLE TIP to clamp the platter
•3 SPIKE WASHERS
•1 OIL JAR
•1 ALLEN KEY 2,5mm to block the ARM LIFT BOARD
•1 ALLEN KEY 2,0mm to remove the DIN PILLAR
•1 ALLEN KEY1,5mm
to adjust the VTA of the tonearm,
to remove the LIFT CUEING
to adjust the ANTI SKATE CYLINDER
•1 ALLEN KEY 0,9mm to adjust the TONEARM SHELL
AZIMUTH
•1 PROTRACTOR/OVERHANG for cartridge alignment with
STROBOSCOPE for fine speed adjustments
•1 INSTRUCTION MANUAL
•1 GN STYLUS GAUGE

INTRODUCTION
4
The beauty and technical innovation of the Mediterraneo
turntable clearly demonstrate Italian flair and distinction
having an evident legacy of strong Tuscan origins where
the traditional emphasis on beauty combines with the
greatest attention to technical perfection.
The Mediterraneo design features a 60mm thick curved
plinth of aged original Italian walnut hardwood (or
lacquered MDF). Such unique woods are well known for
their exceptional elasticity, strength and high density. The
curved plinth is wisely cut on the inner side to achieve the
perfect tuning of the wood that is then interfaced with the
3mm stainless steel board threaded to the massive
wooden curved plinth in 18 strategic points. Finally the
structure is completed with the 20mm black polished
acrylic plinth that carries the recessed electronic boards
and lower the frequency resonances as well.
The curved wooden plinth is the result of years of re-
search at the Gold Note engineering labs in order to re-
place a bigger mass plinth of a more traditional
rectangular shape structure; the extra rigidity given by
the curves of the plinth allow a sophisticated technical
design and a great exclusive look. The turntable lays on
three massive aluminium adjustable spikes designed spe-
cifically for the Mediterraneo in order to establish a solid
and rigid coupling to the shelf.
The Mediterraneo features a new 12Volt synchronous
motor electronically controlled by our proprietary power
generator based on a Quadral-Core micro-controller
and can effectively control vibrations while delivering
high torque for the greatest dynamic and resolution.
Every Gold Note product is 100% proudly designed, manufactured and assembled in Italy
The Power Supply electronically controls the 33⅓rpm,
the 45rpm modes and the fine speed adjustment storing
the selection permanently in memory even when discon-
nected from the power. The new perfectly polished hour-
glass motor pulley also allows the turntable belt to spin
smoothly thus reducing the wow&flutter and noise as
never before.
The 80mm long platter Spindle/bearing comes directly
from the top quality design of the Bellagio Reference; it is
fully recessed into the acrylic top plinth in order to keep
the thick platter as closest as possible to the turntable
structure to reduce turbulences generated by the rotation
and achieving a virtual zero vibration point.
The platter is 45mm thick in black Polyvinyl, a very elastic
but deaf material, it features an extraordinary ability to
reduce vibrations while the high-mass helps the rota-
tional stability. The platter is designed to operate at only
3mm from the plinth. Such small platter/plinth interfer-
ence minimise turbulences for the greatest noiseless
functionality..
The Mediterraneo redefines the concept of capturing and
enclosing the essence of “air” and “ground” into an
audio item, two elements that inspired the design and
sound of the turntable. From the outset the special shape
not only influences sound performance but also reminds
of the elegance and impetuous power of sea waves.
The choice of materials shows a dedication to the native
ground that goes beyond the musical dimension of the
product to create a truly unique experience.

KEY FEATURES
5
CONSTRUCTION FEATURES
This section describes the special features of the
Mediterraneo turntable, the construction details, the
reasons for the technical choices and the originality of the
design.
The Mediterraneo is rigid turntable that uses a plinth
made of exotic Italian Walnut 60mm thick plinth interfaced
with a 3mm stainless steel and 20mm acrylic plinth.
The plinth bears three adjustable giant aluminium feet
made ensuring greater insensitivity to vibrations.
The turntable platter is made of 45mm thick Ultra-
Dampened POM.
The recessed Spindle allows the platter to spin very close
to the turntable plinth in order to reduce the turbulence
caused by rotation.
The spindle is in high quality machined stainless steel and
clamps the platter with its conical shape, it is 80 mm long
to ensure a top class performance.
A large longitudinal groove is located on its axis to allow
the lubricating oil to run constantly. The longer spindle
eradicates any pendulum effect and distributes the inertial
energy along its entire axis, completely annulling any type
of lateral friction.
The bronze bearing is rectified to guarantee a smooth
spindle rotational stability while a customised bottom
platter bearing enables very low noise.
The platter bearing is threaded outside in order to be
tightly blocked to the plinth of the turntable on its own
axis allowing a precise coupling.
The custom AC 12 Volt micro-controlled motor allows
33⅓rpm & 45rpm electronic speed control and pitch
adjustment. Besides the special motor guarantees a
perfect rotation stability and great torque in complete
silence.

KEY FEATURES
6
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
Dimensions: 470mm W x 210mm H x 360mm D
Weight: Kg. 20 net – Kg. 26 boxed
FINISHES
LOWER PLINTH Italian Walnut, Black Lacquered MDF
and Real Gold Leaf
UPPER PLINTH Black Polished Acrylic
METAL PARTS Black anodized aluminium (opt. Silver)
PLATTER Black
DUST COVER transparent acrylic with hinges
MAIN FEATURES
WOW & FLUTTER 0,1%
RUMBLE -80dB
SPEED 33⅓rpm and 45 rpm ±0,1%
SPEED CHANGING electronic with fine pitch control
TRANSMISSION 70 shores rectified EPDM belt
MOTOR 12 Volt High Torque synchronous
PLATTER 45mm thick Ultra-Dampened POM
PLATTER SPINDLE Split-Spindle™ clamping design
PLATTER BEARING Tungsten 5mm ball bearing
TONEARM Gold Note B-5.1 (or opt. B-7 Ceramic)
POWER
POWER SUPPLY 18V output
POWER CONSUMPTION 27 Watt
100-240V, 50/60Hz

SET-UP INSTRUCTION
7
FIRST OPERATION
1.Please remove carefully all the protecting foam and
check if all the listed items are supplied.
2. Place the turntable on a levelled surface, such as a wall
shelf immune to footfall, then level the turntable.
3. Plug the DIN/RCA cable of the arm on the shaft female
connector DIN side, hooking the RCA connectors to the
amplifier phono input.
4. Install the counterweight into the rear arm wand of the
arm selecting the correct cartridge tracking weight with
the help of a precision scale (not supplied).
5. Install the turntable belt surrounding the hourglass
motor pulley and the platter outer perimeter.
6. Plug the Power Adapter cable to the 12V rounded plug
Turntable Speed Control and then plug the AC adapter to
the AC plug once selected the right international plug
supplied.
POSITIONING THE MEDITERRANEO
Your Mediterraneo turntable has been designed for Hi-Fi
systems. It must be protected from direct sun and
humidity.
Do not place it near heating sources, electrical and
electronic motors, mobile phones etc.
The levelling and positioning on a solid shelf, as explained
in the previous chapter, is fundamental to ensure the best
audio performances.
OPERATING THE 33⅓rpm & 45rpm CONTROL
The turntable is fully controlled by an electronic power
supply.
TURNTABLE SPEED CONTROL ADJUSTMENTS
•Inner button starts and stops the 33⅓rpm speed.
Once the 33⅓rpm is playing its red LED light turns on.
• Outer button starts and stops the 45rpm speed.
Once the 45rpm is playing its red LED light will be on.
The Mediterraneo also features a fine speed adjustment
“Pitch Control” function to allow a very fine and precise
speed calibration.
PITCH CONTROL MODE
To enter the PITCH CONTROL MODE press and hold for 4
seconds both 33⅓rpm and 45rpm buttons while the
turntable is spinning.
When the red LED light shuts down, the unit is ready for
the fine speed adjustment.
• PITCH – press repeatedly the 33⅓rpm button until the
correct speed is reached.
The LED light flashes every time the button is pressed.
• PITCH + press repeatedly the 45rpm button until the
correct speed is reached.
The LED light flashes every time the button is pressed.
See pag.12 for images.
To switch off of the PITCH CONTROL MODE press and
hold for 4 seconds both the 33⅓rpm and the 45rpm
buttons until the LED light is on and steady again.

INSTALLING THE PLATTER
8
To assemble the platter you are going to need
45mm platter supplied
Platter Spindle Tip
STEP 1
position the platter on the turntable as
shown in the picture: the platter should fit
perfectly on the spindle flat surface.
STEP 2
thread the spindle tip as show in the
picture to secure the platter to the
turntable.
STEP 3
the conical shape of the spindle tip must
be firmly threaded and will clamp the
platter to the plinth.

INSTALLING THE BELT AND THE TONEARM CABLE
9
Wrap the belt around the pulley and the platter as shown in the picture:
The tonearm cable should be always connected before the tone arm is installed on the turntable.
Always pay attention to the cable and make sure it is connected before placing the tonearm in position.
The Male DIN plug and the female
DIN plug must be connected as
shown in the picture below.
REAR SIDE

1
2
+_
ANTI-SKATING, AZIMUTH, COUNTERWEIGHT ADJUSTMENTS
1
2
4
5
10
1.
ANTI-SKATING nylon wire with bullet counterweight
2. ANTI-SKATING adjustment bar
3. ANTI-SKATING support hoop
4.TONEARM COUNTERWEIGHT: to set up the correct tracking force depending on the phono cartridge in use
5. SHELL AZIMUTH ADJUSTMENT: to adjust the alignment of the tonearm head-shell (0,9mm Allen Wrench)
INSTALLING THE ANTI-SKATING SYSTEM
1. Slip the loop of the ANTI-SKATING nylon wire over the groove of the ADJUSTMENT BAR
2. Feed the wire through the loop of the SUPPORT HOOP
3. Adjust the ANTI-SKATING force choosing the correct groove on the ADJUSTMENT BAR

VTA SETUP
11
AZIMUTH
After the cartridge has been properly installed on the tone
arm, adjust the Azimuth of the shell with the supplied 0,9mm
Allen Wrench.
Setting a correct Azimuth will provide a better audio
performance.
VTA SETUP
Loose the Hex-bolt indicated by the arrow on the collar
using the 1,5mm Allen Wrench supplied to lift up or down
the arm correctly adjusting the VTA as necessary.

POWER SUPPLY
12
PLEASE NOTE: Please with the super power supply PST-1 supplied use only the power cord supplied or one strictly
certified for UL, CE, and all local necessary certifications.
1. Dimensions are shown in mm & inch
2. Weight: approx. 265~280g
(Exclude the input cord)
3. Optional output connector.
4. Operating Temperature: 0 to 70°C
5. Derate linearly from 100% load at 40°C
to 50% load at 70°C

POWER ADAPTER & SPEED CONTROL
13
INNER BUTTON OUTER BUTTON
CONNECTING THE POWER SUPPLY ADAPTER
Use only the original GOLD NOTE AC adapter to power the
turntable to ensure the correct functioning.
PLEASE NOTE: Before plugging the adapter in to the AC make
sure the connector is plugged into the turntable.
TURNTABLE SPEED CONTROL
•INNER BUTTON starts and stops the 33⅓rpm speed. When the 33⅓rpm is playing its red LED light turns on.
• OUTER BUTTON starts and stops the 45rpm speed. When the 45rpm is playing its red LED light turns on.
The Mediterraneo also features a fine speed adjustment “Pitch Control” function to achieve a precise control over the
speed of the turntable.
PITCH CONTROL MODE
To enter the PITCH CONTROL MODE press and hold for 4 seconds both the 33⅓rpm and the 45rpm buttons while the
turntable is spinning at 33⅓rpm or 45rpm until the red LED light shuts down. The unit is now ready to adjust the
speed with the help of the stroboscope.
• PITCH – press in sequence the 33⅓rpm button until the correct speed is reached.
The LED light flashes every time the button is pressed.
• PITCH + press in sequence the 45rpm button until the correct speed is reached.
The LED light flashes every time the button is pressed.
To switch off of the PITCH CONTROL MODE press and hold for 4 seconds both the 33⅓rpm and the 45rpm buttons until the
LED light is on and steady again.

CALIBRATION: CARTRIDGE OVERHANG, ALIGNMENT & SPEED
14
allignment 66 mm. allignment 120,9 mm.
Stroboscope 50Hz
51015
20
Overhang
Stroboscope 50Hz
5101520
Overhang
Stroboscope 50Hz
5101520
Overhang
Our turntables and tone arms are always supplied with the Gold Note Calibration Tool to calibrate correctly the setup.
With this tool you will be able to adjust:
A) Phono Cartridge alignment
B) Overhang
C) 45rpm and 33⅓rpm speed
(requires a strobe light)
SPEED ADJUSTMENTS
Check the speed with the help of a strobe light (eventually a home NEON can also work).
When the speed is correct you will be able to see the sequence of black rectangular signs as if they were stable and fixed
while the platter is spinning.
The outer line is to check the 33⅓rpm
The inner line is to check the 45rpm
OVERHANG
To set the correct overhang the Calibration Tool must be inserted on to the turntable record pin and the cartridge Tip
must be positioned on top of the pin.
Adjust the position of the cartridge until the suggested overhang of the phono cartridge is reached as indicated by
the manufacturer.
B
A
C

CARTRIDGE ALIGNMENT
15
PHONO CARTRIDGE ALIGNMENT
To correctly align the phono cartridge and achieve the best tracking position, point the tip of the phono cartridge into the
white circles as in the picture below.
The body of the phono cartridge must be aligned to the vertical stripes in order to achieve the best position for musical
reproduction.
allignment 66 mm. allignment 120,9 mm.
Stroboscope 50Hz
51015
20
Overhang

DETACHABLE DUST COVER
16
The new Gold Note dust cover features detachable hinges, a
new proprietary design developed to let you enjoy your
turntable at the best in any situation.
The new dust cover is incredibly versatile and allows the
usage of the turntable with or without it.
We are proud to offer this new solution to our clients to help
them preserve their turntables in ideal functional and
cosmetic conditions.
The new design also provides a stop point at about 90° to
the dust cover: in this position it automatically stops and the
hinges will hold the dust cover avoiding overturning.
Removing the dust cover is simple and quick:
lift the dust cover until it reaches the 90° stop point
and it's completely opened, then gently slide it
towards LEFT (facing the turntable) to detach it from
the plinth.
Please Note: the dust cover can be removed and
reinserted only when it's in its resting position,
completely opened at 90°.
PICTURE 1
PICTURE 3
PICTURE 2

WARRANTY & SERVICE
17
WARRANTY
To validate the warranty is necessary to register the unit on the Gold Note internet web site within 15 days from the purchase
on the appropriate area of the web site:
www.goldnote.it/warranty
If the unit is not registered correctly or has been purchased from a different country of the purchaser home address the unit
will not be covered by any warranty and the registration will be refused.
The warranty does not cover in any case: Tubes, Phono Cartridge Styli and Batteries.
SERVICE
Every GOLD NOTE® product is the result of meticulous technological research, and consequently their correct functioning is
guaranteed. In spite of this it is possible that problems may emerge which non-specialist users cannot resolve.
In this case, contact your dealer to be advised on how the fault can be solved.
Do not return any object directly to the factory or to the national distributor or without being authorised to do so.
In such cases both GOLD NOTE® and the distribution agents operating within your territory decline responsibility of any kind.
For more information please visit www.goldnote.it/service
PLEASE NOTE
Descriptions and technical characteristics may vary at any time and without notice.

TROUBLESHOOTING
18
PROBLEM
CAUSE
SOLUTION
Levelling the turntable.
Cleaning the turntable.
Motor heating.
Motor noise.
The turntable is not levelled.
The turntable is dirty and requires
cleaning
The motor is too hot.
The motor produces a low
scraping noise while in function.
The motor produces a buzzing
noise while in function.
With a spirit level, only level the Turntable
Platter through its shelf layer eventually
screwing its feet just for very fine adjustment,
take care of levelling the platter on its vertical
and horizontal lines.
Be sure that the turntable layer is enough solid
and rigid to support the weight of the turntable
easily
With EXTREME care use ONLY very soft 100%
cotton cloth to sweep dust and stains out.
Any acid or not extremely soft cloth will
irreversibly damage the turntable fine aesthetic.
Do not use any alcohol to clean the turntable
anodised label, pulley and motor spindle.
Only dry cloth is allowed.
AC synchronous motors as the ones used by
Gold Note may warm up to 50° Celsius without
creating any problem.
Gently lift the pulley enough as required to avoid
the noise.
Adjust the 3 stainless steel screws on the
motor's cover: unscrew them slightly until the
motor spins smoothly and without noise.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
19
This appliance has a serial number located on the rear panel.
Please record the model and serial number and retain them for your records.
Serial Number:
Model:
Do not disassemble any part of the product.
Do not use any part of the product for other purposes.
For service and problems of any kind, contact qualified Gold Note personnel.
Protect the product from rain and humidity and keep away from heat sources, electric and electronic
motors etc.
The power Chord supplied must be used only on this unit.
Gold Note does not have responsibility for any improper use of this unit.
CAUTION!
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER ONLY TO QUALIFIED GOLD NOTE SERVICE PERSONNEL FOR SERVICE
WARNING!
TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE