Optimized Transmission Line (OTL) Cantilever/Stylus Assembly
Grado's OTL provides an ideal transfer of the signal from point to point, e.g., stylus to cantilever to magnet to coils, etc. This has been achieved by eliminating resonance at each of these key junctions. The transmission line cantilever consists of separate sections that are telescoped into each other. All sections are made of different alloys, some sections hollow, other sections solid. These sections are bonded together with materials that act as dampers, and are coated with a black proprietary material which controls and absorbs resonances that travel on the surface of the cantilever (known as skin effects). The OTL stylus/cantilever design will make your records sound quieter, improve the height, width, and depth of the soundstage, and offer more detail than previously obtainable. Cartridge Holography does exist...and that is what Grado's OTL technology is all about, more performance.

Pivoted-Fixed Axial Cantilever/Stylus Generator
This design feature is basically quite simple. The "OTL" cantilever shaft is brought to a fixed axial pivot that supports the entire cantilever assembly. A miniature element attached to the end of the cantilever is allowed to move freely within the lines of flux of a stationary magnet and coil structure. This system of support is mechanically more accurate (more linear) than conventional "teeter-totter" designs that utilize an iron armature to balance the mass of the cantilever. The teeter-totter design is supported in the center with a rubber donut mounting. The fixed axial design has a very low tip mass, which results in lower distortion, improved transient response, and longer record life.

The Latest Version, the Grado Gold1
The newly redesigned Silver1 and Gold1 have had their coil design reconfigured, and the effective moving mass of their generating system has been reduced by 17%. The Silver1 and gold1 models use a four piece OTL cantilever technology, ultra-high purity long crystal (UHPLC) oxygen free copper wire in the coils and Grado's specially designed elliptical diamond mounted on a brass bushing. The Gold1 model is selected from the Silver1 production run and meets higher test specifications. Approximately 5% of the production run meet these standards and become Gold1 models.

Comments on the Grado Gold
"While the Prestige Gold cannot provide quite the same ultra-refined, take-you-to-the-mountaintop listening experiences that big buck moving coils can, it takes you a long way up the path toward analog excellence, and for a pennies-on-the-dollar price." - Chris Martens / The Absolute Sound

"It was lively and detailed but never edgy on vocal sibilants, and didn't over-emphasis leading edges on acoustic guitar."

"Beefheart's Clear Spot, the undoing of many an under-performing cartridges, didn't faze the Grado."
"It's a definite Best Buy!" -Hi Fi Choice / Alan Sircom

"The Prestige Gold's sound was readily identifiable, but after just a few seconds it didn't matter much, so engaging were the results." -Wayne Garcia - The Absolute Sound

Grado Stylus Replacement Chart

Grado Gold1 Technical Data

Frequency Response 10-60

Principal MI

Channel Separation at 1KHz 35

Input Load 47K

Output at 1KHz 5CM/sec. 5mV

Recommended Tracking Force 1.5

Stylus Type E

Inductance 45mH

Resistance 475

Compliance CUs 20