Grado ME+ Hi-Fi Cartridge

Mono Phono Cartridge for Dedicated Mono LP Playback

The Grado Prestige ME+ is a moving-iron mono phono cartridge engineered for mono LP playback. Unlike a stereo cartridge on a mono record, a true mono design eliminates vertical tracking artifacts and dramatically reduces surface noise, clicks, and crackle. This model replaces the older MC+ with an upgraded generating system. It suits analog enthusiasts who collect vintage mono LPs, modern mono reissues, or archival classical and jazz pressings and want focused, low-noise playback.

What Sets the ME+ Apart

What sets this model apart is its modified four-piece OTL cantilever technology and oxygen-free wire in the coils. The stylus is a high-polished elliptical diamond mounted in a brass bushing, giving the cartridge a stable, low-mass coupling to the mono groove wall. These details translate into quieter playback, tighter channel focus, and improved tracking on worn or noisy mono pressings compared with using a stereo cartridge.

Key Technical Specifications

Built around a moving-iron generator with a 47 kOhm input load, the ME+ is a drop-in match for any MM phono stage. Its 4 mV output at 3.54 cm/sec gives enough headroom for typical home phono preamps without a step-up transformer. The 1.5 g tracking force and 6 g pickup weight keep it compatible with most standard tonearms.

• Output: 4 mV @ 3.54 cm/sec — comfortable level for standard MM phono inputs
• Frequency Response: 10–55,000 Hz — extended top-end for full mono groove retrieval
• Stylus: Elliptical diamond, .03 x .07, mounted in a brass bushing for stable mono tracing
• Tracking Force: 1.5 g — light, low-wear contact with vintage vinyl that helps preserve fragile mono grooves
• Pickup Weight: 6 g — fits standard tonearm/headshell mass ranges
• Input Load: 47 kOhm — direct compatibility with MM phono stages

Who the Grado ME+ Is For

The Grado ME+ is the right choice for analog listeners who own mono LPs and want a dedicated mono playback chain without moving to flagship-tier designs. It suits collectors of 1950s and 1960s jazz and classical mono pressings, fans of modern mono reissues, and anyone frustrated by the noise a stereo cartridge imposes on a true mono groove. At this tier, it sits well below specialist mono designs, making it a practical entry into serious mono playback.