Grado Labs, Inc.

Grado may well be the oldest family-owned manufacturer in the hi-fi biz. From 1953, when founder Joseph Grado began production of phono cartridges on the kitchen table to the present, with Nephew John Grado now at the helm, the company’s design policy has always been to strive for musical realism. It has been my experience that Grado has always emphasized the word "musical".

In an effort to retain more of the musical nature of the analog signal captured on LP’s, John Grado has turned to wood for that essential "soul" That is, the body of the Reference Platinum phono cartridge is mahogany.

SOME THINGS WE KNOW ABOUT IT
This cartridge is a hand crafted fixed coil that undergoes meticulous curing processes between production steps to ensure optimal sonic characteristics. This advanced design utilizes several of Grado’s patents. The optimized Transmission Line (OTL) cantilever consists of four sections of different alloys telescoped within one another. Each of the pieces is held together with damping material. The whole point of the multipiece cantilever is to reduce extraneous resonances.

The Pivoted Fixed Axial Stylus-Generator Module is more complicated. Let’s go simple-the important thing here is that the miniature generating element is attached to the end of the cantilever (opposite the stylus) where the fixed axial pivot is located. Basically, this increases the response time.

The Flux-Bridger Generator System consists of four magnetic gaps that the miniature generating element of the cantilever bridges in order to produce the musical signal. Both efficiency and balance in signal generation are the goals.

These are all design innovations seen previously in Grado cartridges. So, aside from the wooden body, what is new? First, the plastic that holds the Pivoted Fixed Axial Stylus-generator Module is pared down to the minimum capable of holding the parts in place. Second, the assembly is potted within the wooden body. In order to further the control resonances, all internal wiring is potted. (Note: Since the Generator Module is potted, the Reference Series cartridges do not allow for stylus replacement).

THE GOOD STUFF
On LP’s, the tonal balance of the Reference Platinum appeared smooth. The highs had detail aplenty. On Misa Criolla (Philips 420 955-1), the voices possessed a chilling realism. Jose Carreras was at a once powerful and refined; the choir was ethereal. The exceptional timbral accuracy of this cartridge highlighted the textures of instruments in such a manner as to bring life to the music. Fabulous! We’re talkin’ music that brims with emotion! Subtle tonal inflections and slight variations to note were intact, and thus added to the illusion of live music.

The Reference Platinum was able to extract quite a bit of the minute info that otherwise lies hidden beneath distortion and noise. Misa Criolla’s gentle passages were delicate-you’ll be tickled by the detail of the small percussive instruments. Small-scale dynamics were quite impressive. These small, but important variations in loudness inject excitement into the music.

The quick handling of transients will make your heart leap. The piano and percussion instruments, still on Misa Criolla, had a quick initial strike and a let-go that was nearly as quick. The harpsichord and panpipes shone. On Indigo Girls (Epic FE 45044)-great album! -the guitar strings maintained distinct, individual plucks. The drums were precise, with punchy impact; the sticks were appropriately woody.

The greatest strengths (those others are just peanuts, yes?) of the Grado Reference Platinum cartridge lay in rhythm, pace and soundstaging. Rock music can demand alot in the way of rhythm and pace so I cranked up P.J. Harvey’s Rid Of Me (Island/ILPS8002/514 696-1). Right off, rimshots slammed. The beat and tempo were just so very very! And Rock the house steady. Yeah, baby! Let’s get intellectual: the Grado recreated an exceptionally stable harmonic structure in a phase-coherent manner. What? It imaged like crazy!

The soundstage was expansive; depth was well delineated. Localization of images was exceptional with a high degree of spaciousness, especially on well-recorded LP’s. Individual images were surrounded by an airy bloom. Inter-instrumental space-silent.

Now superb phase coherence has a way of revealing recording "errors". For example, when a kickdrum "kicks" it shouldn't "inhale" fist If it does, the recording is out of phase. Try "Land of Canaan" on Indigo Girls; one of the mikes for the drum kit is out of phase and presents a pressurized feeling just preceding percussive events. The image becomes indistinct. The Grado not only makes you aware of this, but also identifies the out-of-phase mike as one on the left just over the tom-tome. Scary.

SUM STUFF
The Grado Reference Platinum phono cartridge is the most musical cartridge I’ve ever heard, period! It is so "realistic". It can recreate a tremendous sense of speed without seeming artificial. If the tonality is off, it errs on the side of sweet and warm. It is also one of the best imaging products around. Even if you had $2,500, we might question your sanity if you passed up the $300.00 Grado. Is it truly reference quality? You bet! But who cares? Go buy the Grado and just enjoy the music!