Signature 8MR

About the Signature 8MR

The Grado Signature 8MR is a moving-iron phono cartridge that combines the smoothness of the best moving magnet cartridges with the detail and excitement of moving coil designs. It features a twin-tip elliptical diamond stylus and improved magnet and wire materials for smoother impedance and better sound quality. The cartridge excels in midrange sweetness, harmonic detail, and imaging resolution, with a treble response that is slightly soft compared to most moving coils but extends fully into the upper octaves without grain or hardness. Bass response is deep, natural, and better controlled than previous Grado models. The cartridge requires careful setup, including attention to azimuth and vertical tracking angle, and performs best with low to medium-mass tonearms and non-resonant headshells. It is somewhat less tonearm tolerant than other cartridges and sensitive to floor vibrations. Overall, the Signature 8MR is regarded as a special character cartridge that extracts detailed information musically and is compatible with a wide range of electronics and speakers. It is considered one of the best buys in high-end audio cartridges.