My search for the perfect cartridge has been a long, arduous path filled with money pits, lots of highs and lows, and frustration. It has been so very difficult to find that elusive cartridge that won't destroy my bank account while still supplying the satisfaction that I so desperately seek. Is the Prestige 3 Gold the end of my journey? Who knows, but for now, it holds the place of honor on my headshell.It's been tough to find a cart that blends firm, defined bass while also delivering a lush and detailed midrange. Add in the desire for a sweet, articulate top end without sizzling my ears off while not spending an arm and a leg, and it seems like an impossible task. The Prestige Gold comes as close as anything I've tried that was not an MC and did not cost more than 350 dollars. The other cart I have in my system is an AT 740ML. Absolutely gorgeous, detailed cartridge, but so bright at times that I struggle listening to it (I'm sure part of the issue was capacitance loading). It lacks the lush midrange I'd like, and really exaggerates the highs, and with some types of music I just don't care for it. It was the best cartridge in my collection up until I bought the Gold.My first foray into Grado cartridges was the Prestige 3 Black. I found that I rather enjoyed listening to the Black, even though the highs are rolled off and the bass is slightly bloated. But the midrange, man it was nice! But I could only use it for a little while before I missed the brightness of the AT 740ML and I would swap it out. I'd looked at the Gold for several months, debating whether I wanted to spend the money on a cart I wasn't sure I'd like. The Black was nice and all, but was the Gold worth the extra 200-ish dollars? Finally, I bit the bullet and bought the Gold. After about 25 hours of listening, I am super impressed. The Gold takes the bass of the Black and firms it up, providing heft and definition. The Gold uses this greater bass definition to really add detail and warmth to the midrange. And the highs? Nicely tamed as compared to the 740ML, but not as rolled off as the Black. It's almost like Goldilocks and the Three Bears... everything is just right.I've owned Denon MC carts and been very impressed with them. If my system was set up for a MC cart, I'd probably have one of them on my tonearm. But the Grado Prestige 3 Gold reminds me alot of those sweet Denon MC carts, and is quite a bit cheaper than them. I highly recommend this cart. It sits on an Audio Technica AT LP3XBT table, although I did try it on my Pioneer PLX-1000 table too. It sounds amazing on both. I have it run into a Schiit Mani preamp and Arcam AVR5 receiver feeding Kef R7s.The sound is sublime and I could listen for hours. Highly recommended.

Suono perfetto, come si puo' aspettare da una testina Grado Labs

Excellent sound produced from my records, it is now fitted to my Project carbon DC turntable where the DC motor does not cause any hum, just produces wonerful clean sound. There is a little bit of hum from the steel platter so i would suggest an aluminum one instead. or if like me purchase the Fluance turntable, it has an aluminium platter already fitted, and is very quiet.

Montata su un giradischi Clearaudio Solution con braccio Satisfy: molto gradevole e poco affaticante. L'imballo molto ben fatto e consegna nei tempi previsti (1 giorno di ritardo ma con consegna il 23 dicembre è assolutamente normale)

Des spécialistes reconnus se sont demandés à propos de cette cellule s'il ne vaut pas mieux une excellente cellule MM comme la Grado Gold 3 plutôt qu'une "bonne" cellule MC ..En tous cas, après un montage et des réglages soigneux, c'est ce j'ai écouté de mieux !Attention à l'état du disque, elle ne laisse rien passer! Attention aussi aux réglages. La force d'appui notamment. Le réglage préconisé est de 1,6 g à 1,9. Pour faire simple avec des bras ultra légers (par ex en carbone) on pourra se contenter sans doute de 1,6 g. Par contre avec des bras plus conventionnels ou en S ne pas hésiter à régler à 1,9 ou même 2 g.Car pour chaque réglage même minime on entend la différence ! Étonnant..Vraiment très satisfait malgré un niveau de sortie tout juste moyen, bravo Grado !