Enhanced Tracking, Improved Imaging, and More!

Grado's Statement Sonata1 MM cartridge has a sound that is wide open and uncolored. It also boasts better definition, more transparency, and increased dynamics when compared to Grado's highly respected Reference series.

"Musically Natural Sound"

"I suspect that few 'affordable' combinations in anything like the price range are as free of listening fatigue, and offer as musically natural sound," notes Anthony Cordesman in The Audiophile Voice, Volume 9, Issue 2. "Very nice indeed!"

Newly Redesigned Statement Sonata1

The newly redesigned Statement Sonata1 cartridges has had its coil design reconfigured, and the effective moving mass of the generating system has been reduced by 17%. This decrease in stylus mass allows for enhanced tracking with improved imaging, giving a quicker, more accurate reproduction of the music. All this is hand-assembled within a machined, new processed, Australian Jarrah wood housing.

The Sonata1 uses a modified four piece OTL cantilever technology achieving a 10% tip mass reduction over the Prestige series and ultra-high purity long crystal (UHPLC) oxygen free copper wire in the coils.

The Sonata1 uses Grado's specially designed nude elliptical diamond.

The Statement Sonata1 offers enhanced tracking with improved imaging and more musical information. All of this comes with Grado's usual warm, smooth, full-bodied, non-fatiguing and rich sound qualities.

• Moving iron type phono cartridge
• Australian Jarrah wood housing
• 4-piece OTL cantilever technology
• Elliptical diamond stylus
• New enhanced design with 17% less moving mass in generating system
• Ultra-high purity long crystal (UHPLC) oxygen-free copper wire in the coils and elliptical diamond stylus

• Frequency Response: 10-60
• Principal: MI
• Channel Separation at 1KHz: 40
• Input Load: 47K
• Output at 1KHz 5CM/sec. : 0.5mv
• Recommended Tracking Force: 1.5
• Stylus Type: E
• Inductance: 2mH
• Resistance: 2
• Compliance CUs: 20
• Mounting: S
• Weight: 6.5

"I was surprised, however, by the improvement in sonic nuances that the Statement Sonata cartridge made over the Grados I've auditioned in the past."

"The Sonata does a great job in reproducing the bass with classical jazz, bass guitar, and ordinary symphonic music. ...you get very, very good bass for the money."

"Yes, the midrange was excellent. It was more detailed than was the case with my older Grado cartridges, but was till rich, sweet, and compelling. Maybe still just a touch warm, but just a touch."

"If you like live music -- which has an amazing lack of the high frequency energy common on virtually all modern recordings -- you will find the Grado's upper octaves do a very good job of matching musical realty."

"I suspect that few 'affordable' combinations in anything like their price range [$1,000 for both*] are as free of listening fatigue, and offer as musically natural sound. Very nice indeed!"

* Note Grado Sonata was reviewed with the Grado PH-1 phono preamp.

- Anthony Cordesman in The Audiophile Voice, Volume 9, Issue 2.