Grado Lineage Statement3 MI Cartridge (Low Output)

The Grado Statement3 is Grado's Lineage cartridge in Australian jarrah wood – a Moving-Iron system with boron cantilever, described by Grado itself as one of the best cartridges it has ever built. It is available exclusively as a Low Output version at 1.0 mV.

Final assembly of every Statement3 is carried out personally by John Grado at his workbench in Brooklyn.

Why the Statement3?

Grado builds according to the Moving-Iron principle with a dual-magnet system. The Statement3 uses a precisely engineered generator system with extremely low moving mass – lower, according to Grado, than any moving-coil cartridge – for exceptionally stable tracking.

Four newly configured coils made from 6N OFC copper and a four-stage shielding process ensure a clean, quiet signal path. The jarrah body distributes mass evenly and makes the Statement3 one of the most stable-tracking cartridges around.

What you hear

A seemingly endless, finely resolved treble, a rich, complex midband and a firm, powerful bass. The imaging is precise and enveloping – a big-screen experience for vinyl.

Who is the Statement3 for?

For vinyl enthusiasts with a high-quality turntable and a low-noise phono stage with enough gain. Straight talk: the low 1.0 mV output needs a powerful, low-noise phono stage – on a weak standard input, you'll waste its potential.

Our verdict

The Statement3 is Grado's wood-bodied cartridge craft in its purest form: hand-assembled by John Grado personally, uncompromisingly tuned for tracking stability and resolution. The pinnacle of the Grado range below the absolute Lineage flagships.

Technical data

• Type: Moving-Iron cartridge (MI), Low Output, replaceable stylus
• Series: Grado Lineage
• Body: Australian jarrah wood
• Cantilever: Boron, elliptical diamond (Grado cut)
• Output voltage: 1.0 mV (5 cm/s)
• Inductance: 8 mH
• Resistance: 74 Ω
• Recommended load: 10–47 kΩ
• Frequency response: 5–65,000 Hz
• Channel separation: approx. 35 dB (10–30 kHz)
• Compliance: 20 µm/mN
• Recommended tracking force: 1.6–1.9 g
• Weight: 10 g
• Magnet system: Dual magnet, 6N OFC copper coils
• Manufacturing: Final assembly by hand by John Grado, Brooklyn, NY

Frequently asked questions

What phono stage does the Statement3 need?

Because of its low 1.0 mV output, a low-noise phono stage with sufficient gain. The load is 47 kΩ (as with MM). We're happy to work out with you which stage suits your setup.

Is the Statement3 also available as High Output?

No. The Statement3 is deliberately designed only as a Low Output version at 1.0 mV – this shortens the signal path and maximises dynamics on today's low-noise phono stages. If you need to feed a standard MM input, take a look at the Timbre models in their High Output variant.

Why buy the Grado Statement3 from HD Zürisee?

Because a cartridge in this class demands precise fitting and the right phono stage. HD Zürisee in Wädenswil is an authorised Grado dealer; we align the Statement3 exactly (tracking force, anti-skate, azimuth, VTA) and advise you on gain. Free shipping from CHF 190.

Goes well with

The right turntable, more cartridges, and the matching phono preamp.