Joseph Grado, Inventor, businessman and friend.. some memories

Mikem53

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Oct 1, 2020
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I was a friend of Joe Grado for many years.. I was his IT consultant and managed his personal computers. I spent much time with him talking about
everything.. he was quite an opinionated fellow, but always had something worth listening to. I learned much from Joe, some through osmosis by just
hanging around in his basement workshop. All the tools of yesteryear and current gadgets were abundant. I snapped a few pictures along the way I have more and will post them if anyone is interested. I once to noticed a violin Sitting in the corner of his office, I asked him if he played the violin and he responded no, I make them. He was also an opera singer for the Met. An airplane pilot and many other things. I watched him cook up some ear pads for the Grado headphones on his kitchen stove. Was a great cook too..
here is a picture of his music stack that he had set up in his living room not far from the piano where he had people come over and play so he could record it on his microphone and then listen to it on his headphones. Very interesting fellow indeed.
A8B050E4-137A-4E7D-B20C-76F3FD25685E.jpeg A8B050E4-137A-4E7D-B20C-76F3FD25685E.jpeg 963464E1-8546-4009-98CD-5E7218F1ED53.jpeg 6871367C-8607-48AF-AB47-402FD57872D9.jpeg
 

Lee

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Feb 3, 2011
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His headphones and microphones were stellar.
 
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WLVCA

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Nov 2, 2012
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Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

I don't own any Grado products now but I do remember having a Grado phono cartridge many years ago.

My daughter had a boyfriend when she was in college who loved Grado headphones and he always tried to convince me to buy them.
 

DasguteOhr

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Sep 26, 2013
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Thanks fo sharing.
I bought a couple of his cartridges voices a great with it,
I also love his packaging design very creative
20210215_195505.jpg
 

Lee

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Feb 3, 2011
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Grado makes some of the best headphones on the market and I have owned the ps2000
I have the PS1000e which are superb. I just received the 325X and they are a big step up over prior generations. Can't wait to hear what the X drivers in the pro series lines sound like.
 

Addicted to hifi

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Sep 8, 2020
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I have the PS1000e which are superb. I just received the 325X and they are a big step up over prior generations. Can't wait to hear what the X drivers in the pro series lines sound like.
I haven’t heard anything about the x series,but I will check it out. Thanks
 
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audioguy1958

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Feb 8, 2015
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That's a pretty unusual collection of audio gear, the Nagra digital tape deck is a surprise. You would think there be a stack of analog gear, not a turntable in site!
 

CSG

Well-Known Member
Oct 30, 2012
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In 1973, I worked for a shop in LA called Delphi Custom Stereo and the owner, Marco Karpodinnes, was a big fan of Joe Grado, particularly his carts and I remember placing phone orders for them with Joe. I was all of 22 at the time. Just a few days ago I talked to his nephew about the new X series of headphones and am anxious to audition the upcoming Rs2x versions. Never did buy any of their carts, only headphones.
 

curbfeeler

Well-Known Member
Apr 19, 2012
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Might you know what the Joseph Grado Signature 3A Phono Cartridge sold for when new, and what it might fetch today? Any other info regarding this model would be appreciated.
 

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