IO Gold

About the IO Gold

The Audio Note IO Gold is a premium moving coil phono cartridge designed for superior linearity and musicality. It uses the moving coil principle for electrical output, chosen for its superior linearity over other systems. The cartridge body is engineered to minimize resonance and standing waves, with a large mounting surface and up to six bolts for secure attachment to the tonearm. The magnetic circuit employs AlNiCo magnets combined with Permadure, a super low-loss magnetic alloy shaped to focus the magnetic field precisely. The coil wire is custom-made 99.99% pure silver, extending directly to the output terminals to minimize electrical connections and preserve signal purity. The cantilever is made of titanium, and the stylus is an AN Type 1 diamond, cut and polished to a natural octagon shape with surgical precision. The cartridge weighs 20 grams and requires a stylus pressure of 2-3 grams (2.5g optimal). It offers an output voltage of 0.04mV at 5cm/sec, an internal impedance of 1 Ohm, and a matching impedance of 3-4 Ohms. Frequency response ranges from 10Hz to 50kHz with +/-2dB variation, and channel separation exceeds 30dB at 1kHz. The IO Gold is noted for its musicality, detail, and emotional engagement, making it one of the most musical cartridges available. It is the top permanent magnet model in the IO range, only surpassed by the electromagnet-powered IO Limited model. Due to its copper housing, it is relatively heavy, requiring a tonearm with a suitable counterweight. Pricing is available on request, and the product is typically made to order with an approximate 8-week build time. Specifications are subject to change due to ongoing R&D by Audio Note (UK).