Made in Florence: Introducing Gold Note to The Real Music Company

When a city that sparked the Renaissance turns its attention to audio, the results are worth listening to.

Owning a product crafted by individuals driven by genuine passion offers a special kind of satisfaction. For these people, distinguishing good from exceptional isn't driven by business interests but by personal values. Florence has always embodied this spirit — and Gold Note is, in every way, a true Florentine company.

We are delighted to announce that Gold Note is now available across all three Real Music Company stores in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. We have long admired the brand, and we are genuinely proud to bring it to our customers in New Zealand.

"There are no badly recorded records, only systems unable to convey their nuances." — Gold Note Manifesto

A City That Understands Beauty

Gold Note was founded in 2012 by Maurizio Aterini, a lifelong audiophile whose obsession with music began with vinyl in his teenage years and has never waned. The company is based in the Florentine countryside — surrounded by the same landscape that inspired Brunelleschi, Leonardo, and Galileo — and every product it makes is conceived, engineered, and assembled there, entirely in-house.

That last point is crucial. In an industry where "designed in Italy" can mean manufactured anywhere, Gold Note's commitment to genuine Florentine production is a statement of values and a guarantee of quality. When a component leaves their factory, it has been touched by the same hands that built it from the ground up. There are no shortcuts, no outsourced compromises. Just the patient, skilled work of people who care deeply about what they make.

"We strive to emulate a fusion of past and future — the meticulous craftsmanship associated with Renaissance Italy, and the technical sophistication of the most recent advances in audio engineering." — Maurizio Aterini, CEO & Founder

The Science of Elegance

Gold Note's design approach is perhaps best illustrated by their turntables. The mid- and upper-range models are built around the catenary curve — a mathematical shape that describes the natural arc of a hanging chain, seen in spider webs, suspension bridges, and the great arches of Gothic cathedrals. Gold Note traces the idea to two Florentine minds: the graceful arc of Michelangelo's Ponte Santa Trinita and Galileo Galilei, who studied the same hanging-chain shape in the 17th century.

Gold Note uses this geometry as the structural foundation for their turntable plinths, not as a decorative flourish but as an engineering solution: the catenary form is exceptionally effective at dissipating resonance, which is precisely what you want when a diamond stylus traces a groove with microscopic precision. The result is a turntable that performs at an extraordinary level and looks unlike anything else you are likely to see on a rack. As Florence has always understood, art and science are not opposites.

A Complete Range, One Vision

What distinguishes Gold Note from many high-end audio brands is the breadth of its range. From turntables, tonearms, and hand-assembled moving-coil cartridges to phono stages, integrated amplifiers, DAC/streamers, CD players, and loudspeakers — every category is covered, and every product shares the same design philosophy and manufacturing standards.

This means it is possible to build a complete, all-Gold Note system: a genuinely rare proposition in high-end audio, offering remarkable coherence in both sound and aesthetics. Whether you are drawn to the iconic Mediterraneo X turntable, the acclaimed PH-10 phono stage, or the all-in-one IS-10 integrated amplifier with its built-in DAC and streamer, every component is designed to work as part of a larger whole.

Come In and Listen

Gold Note is now on the floor at The Real Music Company. We have been listening to it in-store, and we are confident that once you hear what Florentine craftsmanship sounds like, the conversation will be brief.

We would love to put a record on for you. Come and find us in Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch — no appointment required.

Gold Note is now available at all three Real Music Company stores. Get in touch with your nearest store to find out more about the range.

Get in Touch