Stereophile Magazine Recommended Component
Editor's Best Buy 2004 -- The Absolute Sound
Striking to See and Hear Grado's new Reference series of wooden-body cartridges are a fixed coil design, utilizing manufacturing and assembly techniques of fantastic accuracy and precision. These striking to see and hear cartridges are handcrafted at Grado from a specially selected species of mahogany. An intricate procedure of curing between production steps ensures optimal sound quality. Unlike Grado's popular Prestige series, the Reference series generator/stylus module is not replaceable, allowing a redesigned one-piece magnetic circuit and a reduction of chassis resonance for impressive neutrality throughout the product line. The Reference series is intended for use with the finest audio equipment. All three Reference models -- the Platinum, Sonata, and Reference -- use Grado's OTL (optimized transmission line) cantilever technology and ultra-high purity long crystal (UHPLC) oxygen-free copper wire in the coils. Reference cartridges use a 1/2" mount, and the recommended tracking force is 3/4 to 2 grams. All models are handmade in the USA. "If this is the bottom of the range," Hi-Fi News and Record Review's Ken Kessler wondered about the Platinum, "then what does the $1,200 flagship model offer?" Wonder no more. Engineered for the most discriminating audiophiles who own the finest hi-fi components, the top-of-the line mahogany-body Reference cartridge offers remarkable performance. The Reference uses a modified five-piece OTL (optimized transmission line) cantilever technology, achieving an additional 5% tip mass reduction over the popular Platinum and Sonata models. The Reference coils are wound with ultra-high purity long crystal (UHPLC) oxygen-free copper wire. The specially designed true
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