GRADO MASTER 1

Pre owned. Includes original packaging and manual.

The Grado Master 1 represents a refined evolution within the American company’s moving iron cartridge lineup, designed for those who want to approach the sonic excellence of high-end models without compromise. Directly derived from the experience gained with the acclaimed Sonata 1—yet offering a perceptible leap in quality—the Master 1 stands out for an even sweeter, more fluid, and sophisticated sound, with a tonal rendering that combines naturalness and precision in a surprisingly balanced way.

At the core of its superior performance is a complete redesign of the generator system, featuring a newly engineered coil configuration that reduces the effective moving mass by 17%. This allows the cartridge to respond more quickly and sensitively to groove modulations, delivering an exceptional ability to resolve fine detail. It employs a five-piece OTL (Optimized Transmission Line) cantilever design, which further reduces tip mass by 5% compared to the Platinum 1 and Sonata 1 models. The result is enhanced transparency, sharper channel separation, and a soundstage that is deep, open, and three-dimensional.

The stylus is a custom-designed nude elliptical diamond developed by Grado, capable of reproducing every musical nuance with impressive smoothness and detail, bringing even the most complex recordings to life. The coils are hand-wound using UHPLC (Ultra High Purity Long Crystal) oxygen-free copper, ensuring the purest possible signal transmission. Each unit is hand-assembled within a precision-machined housing made of Australian Jarrah wood—not just a visual choice, but one that acoustically benefits from the wood's natural damping properties.

In listening, the Master 1 impresses with its ability to offer a fluid, engaging musical presentation free from harshness. Vocals gain body and texture, instruments are clearly positioned in space, and every dynamic shift is rendered with grace and authority. This is a cartridge capable of turning the listening experience into something genuinely moving and authentic, revealing hidden subtleties even in the most familiar records.

Those familiar with the Grado sound will recognize all the musicality and natural character that define the brand—but here with a clear upgrade in refinement, control, and definition. The Master 1 is, without question, a destination cartridge for the discerning listener who seeks the very best from analog playback, while retaining the warmth and musical soul that make every listen a living experience.

Technical Specifications:

• Output: 4.8 mV @ 5 cm/s (45 rpm); controlled frequency
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 60 kHz
• Channel Separation: average 30 dB from 10 Hz to 30,000 Hz
• Input Load: 47,000 ohms
• Inductance: 45 mH
• Resistance: 475 ohms
• Not sensitive to capacitive load
• Cartridge Weight: 6 grams
• Recommended Tracking Force: 1.5 grams