HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

This is the first new cartridge I've bought since 1986 (when the A&R P77Mg came out) and it's about 20 years since I last had to mount one on a tonearm - now I have done it twice in the space of 2 days. A combination of nerves, poor eyesight and trembling, fumbling fingers really helped with the process. But I got there in the end; aligned, tracking weight, bias. Ready to roll.

One thing I liked about the A&R series was that the 3 models all had interchangeable styli so you could start with the basic C77 (conical), move up to the E77 (elliptical) and go for the top P77 (parabolic) - all without having to change the body shell.

Grado, in their wisdom, have taken a similar approach with their Prestige range. A standard body that can be fitted with a range of 6 different styli. The entry-level Black, with the Green having a higher-quality diamond tip. Then Blue and Red featuring a superior cantilever and OFC wiring. Top of the line are Silver and Gold, which are high-output MC designs. The affordable Prestige cartridges have been created from Grado's decades of experience and a 'trickle-down' of techniques used in their esoteric, expensive models.

Right then. This Prestige Green is straight out of the box (very minimal packaging - no waste) and playing vinyl. It's a huge difference in character and presentation from the P77. If I was talking about DACs (yes, my frame of reference is still digital audio) then I would call the P77 an MF M1DAC with a restrained, lush, laid-back approach and the Grado Green a Topping D50: crisp, neutral, fast and detailed. But it is early days yet and there will be a run-in period.

So I am ploughing through a couple of the LPs that I had on this morning with the P77 still in use:
Japan 'Tin Drum' with Mick Karn's bass coming over less full and fruity, but the fine detail and separation of instruments is way better with the Grado.
Then JM Jarre's 'Houston/Lyon in Concert' which is powerful and punchy with the Grado Green, excitement levels considerably higher on the scale.
Now onto a huge favourite - Brand X 'Livestock', a somwhat abused 2nd-hand copy that was almost unlistenable with the P77 due to high surface noise and constant crackling. The Green gives the occasional crackle but the recording is intact again and I can immerse myself in this band's telepathic interplay and performing excitement.

Yes! That's the word - excitement!

The Grado Prestige Green is putting the excitement back into the music. Not in a coarse or edgy way but with detailed refinement, ease and control. Now I'm hoping that the run-in period will bring a bit more richness/fullness to the sound but every instrument is clearly defined and presented in an utterly enjoyable manner.

Anyway, to sum up: brilliant, amazing and why the hell did it take me so long to get here?

I think you have made a good choice, enjoy

Grado cartridges are lovely.

I would agree with this. The ones i have owned had a loveable fullness about their sound. I once had an Ortofon Rondo Bronze MC and a Grado MM at the same time and there was very little between them in both voicing and general tonal quality. Neither (in my system at the time) were the most detailed sound but oozed musicality.

Having got through about 10-15 LP's in the course of the weekend, I can report that the sound of the Green is filling out nicely. Bass is fatter with a room-filling richness and the imaging/detail has gained in authority.

This cartridge does seem to be a far better match for the Syrinx arm than the A&R.

I am loving the Grado Green. It's a fine match for the Syrinx arm and makes for a seriously enjoyable combination.

So the upgrade itch immediately starts to twitch.

Seeing that all the Prestige models share the same cartridge body, I first considered upgrading the stylus to the Red model - then I stumbled upon a 'secret' of Grado's and that is that the high-end 8MZ stylus (from one of their esoteric, Signature models) can also be fitted into a Prestige, turning a humble, budget unit into a top-flight performer.

One worry is that changing a Grado stylus is a notoriously tricky operation. Time for some more research.

Good post Fret and best of luck if you decide to exchange the stylus

Even I could do that

Been reading up on the Grado stylus variations. The Prestige Black/Green/Blue/Red models all use the same standard cartridge body, for Silver/Gold it is slightly improved.



It would appear that the Signature series 8MZ stylus is very suitable for the basic cartridge case and raises the performance to equal or better than the Gold model.

So there is one now ordered, see what happens when it arrives.