Hi-End Audiophile Cartridge

Grado Platinum 1/2" Mount


Our notes: This is a special order item. To keep prices low, we do not normally stock this item. See 'related products' section below for the Sonata version of this product. We have highlighted the red text below to indicate the main difference between the two models. This product requires shipment to the credit card verified billing address or confirmed paypal address only. Shipment to 'questionable countries' will be haulted. Extra credit card & paypal authentication measures we employ may delay the shipment of this product by up to 3 days or even longer if you respond slowly via email to said 'authentication measures '. So overnight shipments may not ship immediately! The below info is directly from GradoLabs.com.

GRADO'S REFERENCE SERIES OF PHONO CARTRIDGES ~ All Grado's are MI (Moving Iron)
The Reference series of wooden cartridges are a fixed coil design, hand-crafted at our labs from a specially selected species of mahogany. An intricate procedure of curing is done between production steps to achieve optimal sonic quality. Unlike the Prestige series, the Reference series generator/stylus module is not replaceable allowing a redesigned one piece magnetic circuit and a reduction of chassis resonances. The Reference series Utilizes manufacturing and assembly techniques of fantastic accuracy and precision, the result is virtual perfection in a phono pickup resulting in the finest pickups in the world without exception. Should be used only with the finest equipment. Recommended tracking force 3/4 to 2 grams.

All Reference series cartridges are 1/2" mount. 78 RPM styli are not available with the Reference series. All re-tipping on the Reference series will be done by Grado.

Frequency Response

10-60
Principal MI
Channel Separation at 1KHz 40
Imput Load 47K
Output at 1KHz 5CM/sec. 5mV
Recommended Tracking Force 1.5
Stylus Type E
Inductance 45mH
Resistance 475
Compliance CUs 20
Stylus Replacement F=Factory F
Mounting S
Weight 6.5
The Grado Sonata & Platinum
(The Sonata is also known as the Signature.)

The Platinum and Sonata models use a modified four piece OTL cantilever technology achieving a 10% tip mass reduction over the Prestige series and ultra-high purity long crystal (UHPLC) oxygen free copper wire in the coils. The Platinum model uses Grado's specially designed elliptical diamond mounted on a brass bushing, and the Sonata model uses Grado's specially designed nude elliptical diamond.


What People are saying about the Sonata...

"The Sonata is a refined and dynamic cartridge. It offers performance ahead of what you might expect for the price. Above all, the Sonata encourages you to play more of your LPs – and what greater recommendation can there be?"
Michael Jones / AudioEnz
"I'd go so far as to say that the Sonata reminded me more of my Koetsu Urishi ($4000) then of my 8MZ."
"No cartridge reproduces a female voice better than this."
"For the extra money, the Reference Sonata represents a leap of performance beyond the Platinum and hints at what an expensive moving coil can do."
Stereophile / Robert Reina Vol.21, No.6
"After a week of warm-up, during which the Sonata was most notable for the solidity of its bass and power of itŐs subsonic bass, the sound started to become very musical."
Andrew Marshall / Audio Ideas Guide / Canada


and about the Platinum...

Nominated for Analog Source
"PRODUCT OF THE YEAR" award.
Stereophile Vol.23, No.12

"The Grado Reference Platinum phono cartridge is the most musical cartridge I've ever heard, period!"
Audio Adventure / Dayna B Vol.4, No.1
"At the level of investment that brings you a Reference Platinum, the performance is a amazing!"
Primyl Vinyl Exchange / Bruce Kennett
"If this is the bottom of the range, then what does the flagship model offer?"
HiFi News / Ken Kessler
"On Antel Dorati's interpretation of Stravinsky's Firebird, the Platinum's reproduction of room sound and image dimensionality gave a vibrant sense of realism to the work."
Stereophile / Robert Reina Vol.21, No.6
"A prime advantage/disadvantage of phono reproduction is that every cartridge sounds different. Choosing one is like selecting wine, a process easy to get lost in. But if the cartridge is good enough, like Grado's Platinum, you'll get lost in the music."
Audio / Ivan Berger Vol.82, No. 2
"Let me say straight out: like the Maggie 1.6QRs or the Goldman SRA, the Grado Platinum is one of those incredible bargains that doesn't just give you a "taste" of high fidelity but pretty much the whole enchilada for the price of, er, a whole enchilada"
Fi magazine / Jonathan Valin
Vol.3, No.11

Price: $299.50
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Manufactured by Grado

  Related Products


  Grado HI-END 1/2" - Standard Mount Cartridge
  Grado Sonata 1/2" Mount - Hi-End Audiophile Cartridge


 Other Items from GRADO LABS

  Grado HI-END 1/2" - Standard Mount Cartridge
  Grado Sonata 1/2" Mount - Hi-End Audiophile Cartridge
  Grado Platinum 1/2" Mount - Hi-End Audiophile Cartridge
  Grado 1/2" mount DJ - Standard Mount Cartridge
  Grado 1/2" mount - Standard Mount Cartridge

 

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