This is really hard to answer because we all weigh the various factors differently. The Deering does sound the best. But it is a deeper sound, not quite like the traditional banjo uke jangle. Someone in our club recently made a point of finding a banjo uke with a 6" pot just to get that type of jangle sound, so if that matters, the Deering may not be what you are looking for. It also weighs a ton, and as delivered has no arm rest, though you can apparently buy one from Deering. Between the weight, and all the J hooks, I found it quite uncomfortable to play. And it is LOUD. If you are tying to sing over it without amplification that will be a challenge. For example I would not recommend a Deering for the typical uke jam, as you would overwhelm all the other ukes. Also the tuners are so close to the nut that I at least found them getting in the way. So for me, the better sound did not compensate for the other shortcomings.
I've not had the chance to play the Gold Tone BUT, so I really can't comment.
After turning down the Deering, earlier this year I first got a Magic Fluke Firefly Tenor Banjo Uke, and then in a moment of weakness also purchased a Duke 10. I have found the Tenor Firefly to be a delight to play. It is louder than a typical uke, but it is not that overwhelming, and easy to mute if required. The tone is not as deep, with its 8" head, but the design of the hoop makes it very comfortable to play and hold. It's also only 2 lbs, about half the weight of the Deering.
Then the Duke 10 arrived. With its 10" head it is louder than the Firefly, so loud that I only played it with three layers of quilt batting stuffed in the back. The tone is certainly deeper than the Firefly, and I think most would say it does sound better. But while the Duke 10 is still only 2 lbs, I found it slightly less comfortable to hold and play than the Firefly. I'm sure one would get used to it, but I was always getting the end of one J hook digging into my sternum. If I had not played the Firefly I would for sure have kept the Duke 10, and I almost did. But then reason prevailed and I realized that I would just not get much use out of TWO banjo ukes, so I let the Duke 10 go. (Which as I write this is on its way to a new home in Utah.)
If you are really all about the sound, I would say get the Deering - unless you like more of a jangle from a smaller pot. (I still wish Deering had gone with more traditional 6", or 8", or even 10" pots for their banjo ukes.) If comfort playing matters, get the Firefly. And if you can find one used (like mine last week.....) the Duke 10 would be a great compromise between tone and comfort.