ILavLA Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Legendary audio engineer Joseph Grado died on Friday at age 90. The second-generation Italian immigrant founded Grado Labs — which is now known for its headphones — but when Joseph Grado ran the company it was about one thing: phonograph cartridges. Grado is credited with inventing the stereo moving-coil cartridge, and he held over 48 patents. To turntable laymen, the cartridge is the "needle" assembly — it's responsible for converting the analog grooves in the vinyl into an electric signal, and is key to the sound quality. Legendary headphones made on a quiet Brooklyn street Before entering the high-end audio business, Grado was a watchmaker who worked for Tiffany & Co. In 1953, he started making phono cartridges on the kitchen table, and two years later he took over his father's Brooklyn grocery store and turned it into a factory. That modest three-story building on a quiet street in Sunset Park is still the company's home today — many of its products are handmade under that roof. While Joseph Grado spent most of his life creating devices that could reproduce music, in 1981 his dream to sing Italian opera on the big stage came true. He performed as a tenor at the prestigious Lincoln Center in New York City, and was quite good at it, according to The New York Times. "There was a grace and delicacy in the quieter moments of Mr. Grado's singing," reads a review from the time, "and an attractive richness when he ventured to sing out." In the late ‘80s, towards the end of his run at the company, Grado and his nephew, John, produced some of the very first high-end headphones to hit the market. Joseph retired in 1990 when he sold Grado Labs to John Grado. He and his son, Jonathan, run the company today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 I knew Joe back when I lived in Brooklyn many, many years ago. I had the honor & priviledge of testing various versions of his moving coil stereo cartridge prototypes. Thanks for the faith & trust in my judgement Joe, RIP my friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Visser Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 I've sold quite a few of his headphones and MM (moving magnet) cartridges back when I sold hi-fi. He will be missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Anderson Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 I didn't know him but I love his headphones. The first time I heard them was when a DP put a pair on my head, blasting death metal. I wasn't a fan of the music, but it was best sounding death metal I'd ever heard. His pair was one of the higher (and more expensive) models, with wood ear cups. You could really hear the wood and the texture in the music. I've only purchased the lower end headphone models, and I use their phono preamp for my turntable, but I've been pleased with those just the same. Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Todd Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Love my Grado reference headphones and a big fan of their company. Sorry for your loss, Eric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Gilchrist Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 I've owned Grado cartridges and headsets over the years and when I needed help or parts and called the factory, the person on the other end of the line's last name was always Grado. Customer service doesn't get any better or more personal than that. Best regards, Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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