Vinyl records have made a comeback in recent years, and with it, the demand for high-quality turntables and cartridges.
Grado Labs is a well-known name in the world of audio equipment, and their wooden tonearms are a popular choice among audiophiles. But have you ever wondered how the tracking force is achieved on these tonearms?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the intricate design of Grado’s wooden cartridges and explore how they achieve optimal sonic quality.
So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of Grado’s wood tonearms.
How Is The Tracking Force Achieved On The Grado Wood Tonearm
The tracking force on the Grado wood tonearm is achieved through a combination of design and precision manufacturing.
The wooden cartridges are hand-crafted from a specially selected species of mahogany, and an intricate procedure of curing is done between production steps to achieve optimal sonic quality. The fixed coil design of these cartridges allows for a one-piece magnetic circuit, which reduces chassis resonances and improves overall sound quality.
Unlike the Prestige series, the generator/stylus module on these cartridges is not replaceable. This allows for a simpler design with fewer parts, which in turn reduces the chance of tracking errors and improves overall performance.
To achieve the recommended tracking force of 3/4 to 2 grams, the Grado wood tonearm utilizes manufacturing and assembly techniques of fantastic accuracy and precision. This ensures that the cartridge is held securely perpendicular to the record and can move freely at the preferred stylus force.
The simplicity of the design also means that the Grado wood tonearm is able to handle a wide range of vinyl discs, from modern stereo LPs to nearly century-old records. The signal on the vinyl is transmitted in the same way as it was a hundred years ago, and Grado’s cartridges are designed to provide optimal fidelity regardless of the age or condition of the record.
Introduction To Grado’s Wooden Tonearms
Grado is a renowned audio company that has been in business for over 60 years. They are known for their high-quality cartridges and headphones, but they also offer wooden tonearms that are a popular choice among audiophiles. The Grado wood tonearm is made from a specially selected species of mahogany and is designed to provide optimal sonic quality.
The use of wood in the tonearm provides several benefits, including reduced chassis resonances and improved overall sound quality. The fixed coil design of the cartridges allows for a one-piece magnetic circuit, which further enhances the performance of the tonearm.
The Grado wood tonearm is designed to achieve a recommended tracking force of 3/4 to 2 grams. This is achieved through precision manufacturing and assembly techniques that ensure the cartridge is held securely perpendicular to the record and can move freely at the preferred stylus force.
One of the unique features of the Grado wood tonearm is its ability to handle a wide range of vinyl discs. This includes modern stereo LPs as well as nearly century-old records. The simplicity of the design means that the signal on the vinyl is transmitted in the same way as it was a hundred years ago, providing optimal fidelity regardless of the age or condition of the record.
The Importance Of Tracking Force In Turntables
Tracking force is a crucial element in achieving the best sound quality and prolonging the life of your vinyl records. It refers to the weight at which the stylus sits on the record, and it needs to be set correctly to prevent damage to the record and ensure that the stylus creates the best sound quality possible.
If the tracking force is too heavy, it can cause distortion and potentially damage the record. Conversely, if it’s too light, the needle can skip across the grooves, potentially scratching the record and causing unnecessary damage to the stylus. This is why it’s essential to optimize the tracking force for the best sound quality and to protect your vinyl.
The Grado wood tonearm achieves optimal tracking force through precision manufacturing and assembly techniques. It ensures that the cartridge is held securely perpendicular to the record and can move freely at the preferred stylus force. This attention to detail ensures that your records will sound their best and last for years to come.
The Design Of Grado’s Wooden Cartridges
Grado’s wooden cartridges are a testament to the company’s dedication to sound quality and precision manufacturing. The Epoch3 cartridge, for example, combines sapphire, gold, diamond, and cocobolo wood to create the finest hand-built cartridge ever. The cartridge is wound with the finest properly sized and annealed 24-karat solid gold wire, which is the ultimate conductor for the transmission of the music from your record.
The specially designed diamond stylus is mounted on a sapphire cantilever that connects to the stylus generating system. Grado’s patented Flux-Bridger generator design creates a superior balance throughout the full frequency spectrum with superb resolution and clarity, which produces an overall truer picture of the music. All of the internal magnetic circuit parts are Swiss screw machined or molded metal, which have tolerances on the order of the best Swiss-made watches.
The wooden cartridges are designed with a fixed coil design, which allows for a one-piece magnetic circuit and reduces chassis resonances. This design also eliminates the need for a replaceable generator/stylus module, resulting in fewer parts and fewer chances of tracking errors.
The Grado family has been in business for over 60 years and was the first to offer a stereo moving coil cartridge. The Epoch3 cartridge sees final assembly by John Grado himself on his workbench in Brooklyn. It offers exceptional reproduction of vocals and instruments, with superlative tonal balance, dynamics, imaging, and realism.
Achieving Optimal Sonic Quality With Grado’s Wood Tonearms
Grado’s wood tonearms are designed to deliver optimal sonic quality, thanks to their unique construction and precision manufacturing techniques. The hand-selected species of mahogany used in the construction of these tonearms undergoes an intricate curing process between production steps to ensure that the resulting product is of the highest possible quality.
The fixed coil design of the wooden cartridges used in these tonearms allows for a one-piece magnetic circuit, which reduces chassis resonances and improves overall sound quality. This design also eliminates the need for a replaceable generator/stylus module, resulting in a simpler design with fewer parts that is less prone to tracking errors.
To achieve optimal sonic quality, Grado employs manufacturing and assembly techniques of fantastic accuracy and precision. This ensures that each component of the tonearm is perfectly aligned and securely held in place, allowing for smooth movement and accurate tracking.
The result is a tonearm that delivers exceptional audio fidelity, with a warm, natural sound that is highly sought after by audiophiles around the world. Whether you’re listening to modern stereo LPs or vintage records from decades past, Grado’s wood tonearms are designed to provide the highest possible level of sonic quality and fidelity.
Conclusion: Why Grado’s Wood Tonearms Are A Popular Choice For Audiophiles
Grado’s wood tonearms are a popular choice for audiophiles because of their unique design and precision manufacturing. The hand-crafted wooden cartridges are made from specially selected mahogany and undergo a meticulous curing process to achieve optimal sonic quality. The fixed coil design reduces chassis resonances and improves overall sound quality.
Additionally, the simplicity of the design means that the Grado wood tonearm can handle a wide range of vinyl discs, from modern stereo LPs to nearly century-old records. The recommended tracking force of 3/4 to 2 grams is achieved through manufacturing and assembly techniques of fantastic accuracy and precision, ensuring that the cartridge is held securely perpendicular to the record and can move freely at the preferred stylus force.
Overall, Grado’s wood tonearms provide an exceptional listening experience with optimal fidelity regardless of the age or condition of the record. Their unique design and precision manufacturing make them a popular choice among audiophiles who value high-quality sound and performance.
