Has anyone listened to the Grado Statement ?

I'm starting out with the straight DL-103. Not sure where I'm going...

I have VERY pleased with the Grado Reference ($1200, 4.5 mV output version). Many of my friends get fooled into thinking it's a very pricey moving coil cartridge. I have heard the Statement, and in comparison to the Reference I don't think it's worth twice the money. Just a personal opinion, but before I'd spend the money for the Statement, there are other cartridges I'd consider (Shelter 90x, Lyra Helicon, etc.).

Thanks sdcampbell for your input.I'm certain I will be buying the Ref. Ref. High output with my CJ PV-5.
I have the Wally Tracker to get the Azmith and overhang
dead on the spot with my Morch UP-4 Arm and VPI MK3 Table.
I'm sure I'll be spinnig many records once I get the cartridge after the first of July.
My front end system should be really singing then.I'm currently using the Grado Prestidge Silver Cartridge with a
high input of 5Mv. and it works just fine with the CJ PV-5.
I don't think my preamp can even handle a 2.5 Mv. output.

Hey Doublebass,

I'll start out by saying that so much of this stuff is personal preference that it's hard to make an informed decision, especially on cartridges that you can't "take home for an audition". Having said that, I recently went from a Grado Statement/Reference (.5mv) to a ZYX Airy3-S. For me there was a pretty big leap in performance (OK, the ZYX does list for almost 3 times as much as the Grado).

You might want to consider an Airy 2 from Sorasound (Mehran). I think you can get one for roughly the same price as a Grado Ref. and they have a .45mv output version.

Just a thought..............

Chris

Chris thanks for your helpful advise,But I'm not sure if I
made myself clear or not on my post. I need a cartridge with an output
of(5 Millivolts) NOT .5 Millivolts,or .45 Millivolts.
my preamp probably can't even handle a 2.5 Mv. output
from the Sumiko Blackbird which I almost bought but Conrad
Johnson told me that it would be marginal to even use
the Blackbird with my CJ PV-5.
I realized to begin with that the Grado Statement output wise was not compatible with my preamp,and that I would need to buy additional hardware to get it to work for me.
I was just curious about the sonic difference between the Ref. Ref. and the Statement Ref. which cost 2.5k
SDCAMPBELL answered the question I was wondering about on this post.
But the ZYX Top of the line for 7K must be one honey of a cartridge!If I get a huge rebate in the mail I'll buy one.
Take Care Happy Listening
Don