The STATEMENT SERIES

The phonograph cartridges STATEMENT 1
It is an improved version of THE STATEMENT.

The improvements are: 

• Optimized coils: less turns for a quicker response.
• A better control of the internal resonances with the use of an anti resonant putty.
• A substantial decrease of mass of the moving parts in order to further increase speed response.
• The whole mechanism is fitted inside a solid piece of high density Australian wood called jarrah which is then filled with epoxy in order to have a better control of unwanted resonances.

GRADO takes charge…


After several years of research and an endless quest for perfection GRADO is proud to introduce its best phonograph cartridge: THE STATEMENT 1
The coils are made with gold wire, the cantilever/bushing out of boron and the diamond of a shape specific to GRADO.
Of course made by hand, the mechanism is buried in an epoxy filled solid piece of an extremely dense piece of Australian wood called jarrah. The output level is 0.75 mv, well suited for a low level phono input:  (MC).
The dynamic and bass extension are impressive. You will feel the “authority” of the cartridge. Typical of Grado, the mid range is rich, detailed and convincing. The upper band seems to never end, the speed is phenomenal; the all bandwidth is breathing finesse. The stereo image is precise and solid: you will be “pulled” into the music!


Michael Fremer simply said:
“It is the best cartridge I have ever heard, irrelevant of price”...
 Jonathan Valin of ’Absolute Sound uses it as a reference cartridge

How to identify a STATEMENT 1 : 2 letters are pyro-engraved on the top of the cartridge: GS means STATEMENT : 0.75mV.


The diamond (stylus) is not replaceable on wood “dressed” cartridges. When worn out take advantage of our offer to get a brand new cartridge at a reduced price. Please consult a GRADO dealer, we have an interesting "SECOND TIME BUYER" program.

For technical specifications please see: "Comparatives charts"

The REFERENCE 1 and the MASTER 1 are a sub series; they have different diamonds: The diamond on the REFERENCE 1 is of a type called "nude elliptical" whereas the one on the MASTER 1 is ellipsoidal.

The cantilevers of this sub series have a masse about 5% inferior to the ones of the SONATA and PLATINUM, it is made of 5 tubes of different diameter in order to “break up” the transmission of vibrations of parasite origin. We call it “OTL” optimized transmission line.
The coils are made of oxygen free ‘’UHPLC’’ copper.
How to identify a REFERENCE 1 or MASTER 1 : 2 letters are pyro-engraved on the top of the cartridge,: 

The improvements made to the REFERENCE 1 and MASTER 1 compared to REFERENCE and MASTER are :

• Optimization of the coils : less turns and less in this case means  better fidelity
  
• A better control of the internal resonances with the use of an anti resonant putty
  
• A substantial decrease of mass of the stylus cantilever assembly
  
• The whole mechanism is fitted inside a solid piece of high density Australian wood called jarrah which is then filled with epoxy in order to have a better control of unwanted resonances.

REFERENCE 1 and MASTER 1 are available in 2 versions : 

Low level output : 0.5mV, suited for Moving coil input(MC).

High level output : 5mV, for moving magnet input

The diamond (stylus) is not replaceable on wood “dressed” cartridges.

The diamond (stylus) is not replaceable on wood “dressed” cartridges. When worn out take advantage of our offer to get a brand new cartridge at a reduced price. Please consult a GRADO dealer, we have an interesting "SECOND TIME BUYER" program.

For technical specifications please see: "Comparatives charts"

Here is another sub series in the Reference series: the SONATA 1 and PLATINUM 1
The SONATA is the most sophisticated of the 2. The “bodies” are identical but the diamonds (stylus) are different. A ‘’nude elliptical’’
diamond is fitted on the SONATA 1, the PLATINUM 1 receives an elliptical one.
The cantilever of this sub series has a mass about 10% inferior to the ones used in the PRESTIGE series. it is made of 4 tubes of different diameter in order to “break up” the transmission of vibrations of parasite origin. We call it “OTL” optimized transmission line.
The coils are made of oxygen free ‘’UHPLC’’ copper.

How to identify a SONATA 1 or a PLATINUM 1:
2 letters are pyro-engraved on the top of the
cartridge,: 

RS : SONATA 1 Hi output
SS : SONATA 1 Low output
RP : PLATINUM 1 Hi output
SP : PLATINUM 1 Low output

The improvements made to the SONATA 1 et PLATINUM 1 compared to SONATA and MASTER are :

• Optimization of the coils : less turns and less in this case means  better fidelity
  
  
• A better control of the internal resonances with the use of an anti resonant putty
  
  
• A substantial decrease of mass of the stylus cantilever assembly
  
  
• The whole mechanism is fitted inside a solid piece of high density Australian wood called jarrah which is then filled with epoxy in order to have a better control of unwanted resonances.

SONATA 1 and PLATINUM 1 are available in 2 versions:
 
Low level output : 0.5mV, suited for Moving coil input(MC).

High level output : 5mV, for moving magnet input

The diamond (stylus) is not replaceable on wood “dressed” cartridges. When worn out take advantage of our offer to get a brand new cartridge at a reduced price. Please consult a GRADO dealer, we have an interesting "SECOND TIME BUYER" program.

For technical specifications please see: "Comparatives charts"

The phonograph cartridges GOLD1 & SILVER1
The 2 cartridges of this sub series have been modified in 2008; they are improved versions of the well known GOLD and SILVER (without 1).
The 3 improvements are:

A substantial decrease in mass of the cantilever diamond assembly (moving parts)

The models GOLD 1 SILVER 1 use a 4 piece cantilever, of ‘’OTL’’ type (optimized transmission line), attached to a brass bushing. 

The coils are made of long grain, oxygen free copper. The diamond is of an elliptical shape special to GRADO.
About 5% of the cartridges of this sub series will be stamped GOLD 1 following a serious inspection.

Cartridges identification
The “bodies” are made of black plastic.
2 Dots on the sides of the “stylus” holder (see picture of RED 1 and BLUE 1 where they are obvious) : gold or silver depending on the model

The models RED 1 and BLUE 1 use a 4 piece cantilever, of ‘’OTL’’ type (optimized transmission line), attached to a brass bushing. 

The coils are made of long grain, oxygen free copper. The diamond is of an elliptical shape special to GRADO.

About 10% of the cartridges of this sub series will be stamped RED 1 following a serious inspection. The “bodies” are made of black plastic.

Cartridges identification

The “bodies” are made of black plastic.
2 Dots on the sides of the “stylus” holder (see picture on the left) red or blue depending on the model.

The phonograph cartridges GREEN 1and BLACK 1
The 2 cartridges of this sub series have been modified in 2008; they are improved versions of the well known GREEN and BLACK (without 1).
The 3 improvements are:

• Optimized coils: less turns
• A better control of unwanted resonances

The models GREEN 1 and BLACK 1 use a 3 piece cantilever, of ‘’OTL’’ type (optimized transmission line), attached to a brass bushing. 

The coils ate made of long grain, oxygen free copper. The diamond is of an elliptical shape special to GRADO.
About 10% of the cartridges of this sub series will be stamped GREEN 1 following a serious inspection.
The “bodies” are made of black plastic.

Cartridges identification

The “bodies” are made of black plastic.
2 Dots on the sides of the “stylus” holder (see picture of RED 1 and BLUE 1 where they are obvious) : green or black depending on the model

The 78 E and 78 C will be ideal to play 78 RPM records even in very difficult conditions.
Should it be during a casual listening or for archiving your whole collection of 78 RPM records, rest assured that these cartridges will not damage your valuable records.
A tracking weight between 2 and 5 g is recommended.

do not refer to the stylus shape.

Experts have declared that these cartridges were amongst the best for the playing of 78RPM records.
The 78E has a 4 section “OTL” cantilever (Optimized Transmission Line), the 78C a 3 piece.
Both cartridges use a 3mil spherical stylus.
Cartridges identification
The “bodies” are made of black plastic.
2 green dots “E” or “C” are engraved on the “stylus holder”, see picture on the left.

The monophonic cartridges MC+ and ME+

There is quite a large number of music lovers who have a collection of old, and very valuable monophonic records. GRADO is proud to be able to offer them 2 cartridges.

The letters “E” and “C” in the designation do not refer to the stylus shape.

Both cartridges are using a spherical stylus (mandatory for properly reading the groove of a mono record).
The ME+ uses a better and more sophisticated generator and cantilever (4 pieces).

The MC+ has a 3 piece cantilever.
The coils are made of oxygen free copper.
NOTE. The cartridges of the REFERENCE SERIES, dressed in wood, are available on special order in a MONO version.

Cartridges identification

The “bodies” are made of black plastic.
2 black dots (see picture of RED 1 and BLUE 1 where they are obvious); “E” or “C” engraved on the “stylus holder”

Experts have declared that these cartridges were amongst the best for the playing of 78RPM records.
The 78E has a 4 section “OTL” cantilever (Optimized Transmission Line), the 78C a 3 piece.

Both cartridges use a 3mil spherical stylus.

Cartridges identification

The “bodies” are made of black plastic.
2 green dots “E” or “C” are engraved on the “stylus holder”, see picture on the left.