Grado Prestige Black Moving Magnet Cartridge

I have used countless cartridges over the years at various prices on various turntables up to very expensive audiophile turntables. For some strange reason I had never used or bought a Grado cartridge before. I am now using a very modestly priced Numark TT USB Turntable which in theory ought to sound shockingly awful based on its extremely low price and plastic build and arm with loads of free play but in practice it sounds excellent. I was using it with a DJ cartridge but got interested in Grado when going through cartridges. I was tempted by the Grado Blue 1 but decided on the cheapo Numark it wouldn't be any advantage and decided to go for the Grado Black 1. Thankfully I'm using an arm with a detached headshell. It is a fiddly business fitting this cartridge as it is nut and bolt connection. The cartridge is nice and square so alignment was easy. So then it was time to fire everything up and listen.Tracking is very light at 1.5 grams and 1.5 grams means 1.5 grams with this cartridge - increasing to 1.8 killed the fine detail and sparkly extended treble. I got perfect tracking at 1.5 grams weight right up to the end of the last track. There was no break up of vocals at all. Muck and fluff at this light weight means the needle can't tank its way through and the needle will jump, so clean and well looked after records are a must.This cartridge is quite different to the robust DJ cartridges both in sound and set up. Sound quality is particularly precise and clearly defined. Separation between left and right is the best I've heard at any price and placement between the speakers is very precise too. It is easy to place and pick out exactly where instruments and sounds are in the soundstage. The cartridge isn't forward sounding or at all ''in ya face''. Treble is particularly sparkling extended and detailed. Vocals are clear without being forced and with no 'spitty S's' which shows how good the tracking is. Bass is full and rich rather than tight and punchy. It is tight enough and still tuneful and bass is very much dependent and what is being played. My system is on the dull side in the bass and also my cheap Numark will not resolve bass as well as an expensive turntable/arm so bass is as good as I could expect and I would not mark the cartridge down at all on bass. Coming at the front of the chain all cartridges are at the mercy or what comes next in the chain of equipment. This cartridge reveils great improvements in the sound from my modest system and that is highly commendable. I would not ever have believed a Numark TT USB could sound so very precise and balanced without hearing it with my own ears.The output of the Black 1 is claimed to be 5mV at 5cm per second. I removed an Ortofon Concorde Pro S cartridge rated at 5mV and replaced with this Grado at 5mV and this Grado's output was noticeably lower, so either the old one exceeded spec or this one doesn't meet its spec, however the old Pro S has a spherical stylus like a rock and it is obvious this grado digs much more sound out and presents it in a far more refined and precise fashion. Lowish output is not a problem to me as I have the turntable going through a mixer/pre amp with plenty of gain but it is worth taking into account if you have an amp with a low gain hissy phono preamp stage.This a cheap cartridge but it is a real hifi cartridge for hifi enthusiasts prepared to give it the time and patience it needs in the setting up. It is not a cartridge for the children's turntable or the clumsy or the impatient. Even at just £52 this cartridge will give better and better with improving partnering equipment. It needs to be exactly at 1.5 grams tracking so don't rely on guesswork. Anti skating needs to be set exactly right or the cartridge will skate. Clean records are a must. I'm glad I went for the Black 1 and not the Blue 1 as I can't think what a Blue could give me that this Black 1 can't on my current modest system.On sound quality and value and construction this cartridge deserves a hearty 5 stars without reservation. Bear in mind though the phono stage of the amp needs to be up to the task as the output isn't high and expect to spend some time tinkering for best results re: tracking force.

for the price you pay it has a great sound as long as you take the time to set it up correctly

The Grado Prestige Black Moving Magnet Cartridge is a clear upgrade to the bog standard one supplied on many turntables these days, this is a hand made Cartridge made in Brooklyn New York, you will hear a noticeable hike in music quality for a very modest price indeed.The Grado range of cartridges are critically acclaimed as being some of the most finest pick up cartridges in the world if you do a little research.Vinyl sounds far better as opposed to to the surgical sound of Digital CD players, Changing up to this cartridge will give you a real slice of the action on a properly set up turntable...Bearing in mind this is Grado's entry level Cartridge selling on Amazon UK for £57 inclusive of shipping I would say this product is something of a steal in the world of true Hi Fidelity sound reproduction.

I use my fathers turntable (Dual) from 35 years or so ago and have stuck with the Grado cartridge/ stylus set up he had fitted. For me it copes well with the variety of used vinyl I play on it...Despite regular use lasts well...the product had a price hike a few years back but that seems to reflect the recent resurgence of interest in vinyl records...in summary, a great product

Read all reviews about this cartridge not really worth the money compaired to my audio technica at95 Sounds much brighter and more deataled than Grado Black ,The Grado to me sounds dull bass heavy not very detailed ,I have tryed all different weights 1.5 grams to 2.0 grams sounded best at 2.0 ,Think wasted money really more of a sideways move fron AT 95 but at twice price ! Also Grado Hums slightly.Think stick with AT 95 don't wast your money

nice sounding cart , however beware of suitability for the right t/t arm ?

Great Buy if you take the time to set up the Grado Black it will repay with detailed and natraul sound it tracks at 1.5 grams dead on I listen to a lot of opera and my records have never sounded so good so I am very happy with this cartridge.

Immediate difference. Clearer brighter sound from my ageing vinyl.

Put this cartridge on a low- to medium-mass Pioneer PL-10 and it has proved a good match. Warm sound, but still quite some detail. Smooth treble and good bass. Compared to an AT95 on the same turntable from 1974, it sounded more “period appropriate”. Stellar presentation on 70’s rock like Black Sabbath, Focus etc.