Grado Master cartridge

[sfrost]

An info on this old Grado cartridge

 

[Nashou66]

Looks like their earliest MC cart

Historically Significant Phono Cartridges, Part 2: Grado

When Constantine suggested I write this series of articles on significant phono cartridges, Grado was one of the very first cartridges that came to mind. I started selling Grado cartridges in 1968 when I was working at Stereo Mart in Los Angeles. In fact, I have continued to sell Grado...

www.dagogo.com

Athanasios

 

[sfrost]

Little update on the Grado, it’s the Master from 1960, found info in an old Leonard radio catalog I had. I’m amazed how good it sounds for its age, comparing it to todays cartridges it’s easily as good.

 

[revox-b77]

And it removes static for 1600 years!

 

[sfrost]

Yea, guess it’s good for a few more years, only 63 years old right now.
Not sure if it’s considered a MC since the output is 5mv but it sounds as good as the VAS modded Denon 103 I have.

 

[zaphodsaudio]

Hello.
Wanted to add to this thread about the Grado master series cartridge.
I agree with your evaluation. I bought an old Grado wooden tonearm and this cartridge was attached. In my opinion, if you have the wooden Grado arm this is the best pairing.
Since that time I have acquired another Grado master cartridge that needs re tipped.
So many cartridges, so little time!!

Cheers

 

[tubeactive]

Allegedly, these are Fairchild derivatives, as Grado moved on from Fairchild to start his own cartridge "empire."

The anti-static treatment is, in fact, radioactive !

The cartridge also has high levels of extraneous magnetism.

Note the semi-plastic cantilever, guaranteed to keep record noise levels down.

I had a similar version, silver body, which did sound nice. It also had the plasticized cantilever. Vintage goodies!