Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Grado Prestige Series Gold Phono Cartridge by shermanr@prw.net

Model:	Prestige Series Gold
Category:	Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price:	$200 Cdn.
Description:	Moving magnet cartridge
Manufacturer URL:	Grado
Model Picture:	View

Review by shermanr@prw.net ( A ) on January 31, 2006 at 11:28:49
IP Address: 198.24.6.135

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for the Prestige Series Gold

I recently purchased a new Grado Gold cartridge after I accidentally snapped the stylus on a Sumiko Blue Point Special.

The Grado Gold is simple to install yet must be pushed almost all the way back in my Linn Akito II mounting slots in order for Overhang to be on or about 18mm to be exact. The jumper wires need to be arranged and bent to accomodate this cartridge.

The Grado Gold sound is very robust, clear and defined. The Grado sound is bold yet not offensive, extended but not ultimately detailed, and solid with good bass that provides a resonable product for $180 USD.

I do notice that the left channel sounds a bit louder than the right channel. It must be something with my setup that needs verification. But I have read other's having similar experiences with Grado's as far as channel imbalances.

This does not get in the way of it's ability to portray music for the average listener. But the Gold has an uncanny ability to sparkle and flatter Jazz and Classic Rock LP's.

The Grado Gold is relatively quiet in the grooves and must be accurately calibrated as far as tracking weight and anti-skate.

Recommended for people on a budget who love LP's but don't want to bother with the hassles of low output MC or fussy step-up transformers.

Product Weakness: The Grado Cartridges are not the ultimate innner resolution
Confusing color coding on the rear pins.
Product Strengths: Quality and Price are excellent
Very nice sound that is balanced with excellent frequency extension. Has a replaceable stylus that is and should be available for many years.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Dynaco MK-3 clone
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Dynaco PAS-4
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	LP12/Akito II
Speakers:	2-way Audax Sealed
Cables/Interconnects:	Cardas Golden Reference
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Electronica, Jazz, Rock
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 18 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	None
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Adcom ACE-515
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	The Grado Cartridges are not the ultimate innner resolution Confusing color coding on the rear pins.
Product Strengths:	Quality and Price are excellent Very nice sound that is balanced with excellent frequency extension. Has a replaceable stylus that is and should be available for many years.