Since i want to keep my money for a real high end cartridge (may or june 2005) i bought a grado black as a replacement for my grace.
The setup was really easy ( but i was lucky).
the sound out from the box:
less define bass, less bass, same for the high.
Sweeter mid.
String are sweeter but less fast.
Soundstage: deeper but less large. doesn't fill the room like the grace used to.
As an analogy, the shape of the soundstage was like a circle with the grace, but is more like an egg with the black.
i also notice just a touch of surface noise.( there was none with the grace).
Still i'm surprised how that cheap cartridge sound.
follow up soon when i feel the cartridge have enough "brake in"
Daniel
The setup was really easy ( but i was lucky).
the sound out from the box:
less define bass, less bass, same for the high.
Sweeter mid.
String are sweeter but less fast.
Soundstage: deeper but less large. doesn't fill the room like the grace used to.
As an analogy, the shape of the soundstage was like a circle with the grace, but is more like an egg with the black.
i also notice just a touch of surface noise.( there was none with the grace).
Still i'm surprised how that cheap cartridge sound.
follow up soon when i feel the cartridge have enough "brake in"
Daniel
I've said it before but if you like the tonal balance of the Grado Black
it is a bargain ($35) in the States. In the UK its £40, so it has a lot
more competition, specifically the more neutral Ortofon 510 and the
cheaper and brighter side of neutral Audio Technica AT95E and AT110E.
Compared to neutrality (IMO) the Black has good, almost warm
bass, its not fast sounding, more like supple, a bit like tape
and sounds great on old reggae records for example.
The midrange is slightly laid back and sweet, focus and imaging
is good for a budget cartridge and there's much more than a
hint of a sweet sounding expensive cartridge here.
Treble end is probably very arm / turntable / system dependent
matching IMO, but compared to other budget cartridges IMO its
definetely on the reticent side of neutral.
Here also is where tip quality really affects levels of detail
(if the arm doesn't mess things up up in the first place).
The top end and ultimate extension may be too dull for some,
but can work very well in some arm / turntable / systems.
IMO at $35 in the States nothing comes close to it.
🙂 sreten.
it is a bargain ($35) in the States. In the UK its £40, so it has a lot
more competition, specifically the more neutral Ortofon 510 and the
cheaper and brighter side of neutral Audio Technica AT95E and AT110E.
Compared to neutrality (IMO) the Black has good, almost warm
bass, its not fast sounding, more like supple, a bit like tape
and sounds great on old reggae records for example.
The midrange is slightly laid back and sweet, focus and imaging
is good for a budget cartridge and there's much more than a
hint of a sweet sounding expensive cartridge here.
Treble end is probably very arm / turntable / system dependent
matching IMO, but compared to other budget cartridges IMO its
definetely on the reticent side of neutral.
Here also is where tip quality really affects levels of detail
(if the arm doesn't mess things up up in the first place).
The top end and ultimate extension may be too dull for some,
but can work very well in some arm / turntable / systems.
IMO at $35 in the States nothing comes close to it.
🙂 sreten.
here in Canada, i paid 70$. There's not much competition cause there'S not much cartridge choice. As i said i bought it cause it was cheap not because i was expecting a great cartridge. But i'm still surprised for what i got. i will listen to that cartridge until i have enough money to buy a van den hul , a benz micro or other with the same quality.
Daniel
Daniel
The comments above vis a vis the Grado sound are spot on. I've used a Grado F1+ since the late 1970's and still think it has a nice, smooth, warm presentation that I like. IMO the whole Grado line has a similar "tone" and thus the cheaper models represent remarkable bargains.
Grados are notorious in some circles for shielding/hum problems (presumably with AC tt motors) and 'the Grado dance'. I've never experienced the latter, and I presume that appropriate matching of arm and cartridge would prevent it.
Grados are notorious in some circles for shielding/hum problems (presumably with AC tt motors) and 'the Grado dance'. I've never experienced the latter, and I presume that appropriate matching of arm and cartridge would prevent it.
I use a Grace F 9 Ruby and I have heard different Grados.
Sorry but the Grace is very precise and plays in defferent league.
Its quality is on the level of a Supex MC cart!
Probably the F9 E stylus was worn.
Best
René
Sorry but the Grace is very precise and plays in defferent league.
Its quality is on the level of a Supex MC cart!
Probably the F9 E stylus was worn.
Best
René
I agree, I have used a Grace Ruby with a Welltempered Classic with awsame soundstage.
It outperformed the Denon DL-103, Goldring Electro ll and other MC:s.
I was very surprised indeed with this "oldie".
It outperformed the Denon DL-103, Goldring Electro ll and other MC:s.
I was very surprised indeed with this "oldie".
the Grace f9 cartridge and F-8s
Well,
i have to agree about the grace F-9 ruby !!! did they make a ruby cantilever for the F9 but i heard that the F8 ruby was similarly stunning in sound.
This doesn't surprise me I had a F-8 retipped with a Garrot Micro scanner and it sounded lush, warm and extremely detailed, and tracked like a leach in a Grace 707 arm. It compared with the sound of an ENTRE moving coil retipped with a micro scanner
Here is a question can you get stylus for grace cartridges or heaven forbid even an F-8 ruby
that would fit my F-8 body??????
Regards
Fantasia
Well,
i have to agree about the grace F-9 ruby !!! did they make a ruby cantilever for the F9 but i heard that the F8 ruby was similarly stunning in sound.
This doesn't surprise me I had a F-8 retipped with a Garrot Micro scanner and it sounded lush, warm and extremely detailed, and tracked like a leach in a Grace 707 arm. It compared with the sound of an ENTRE moving coil retipped with a micro scanner
Here is a question can you get stylus for grace cartridges or heaven forbid even an F-8 ruby
that would fit my F-8 body??????
Regards
Fantasia
My experience with the Grados has been consistant for the last 20+ years. Every model sounds like twice as much money. I just (finally!) went from a Gold up to the Wood Platinum. Now I can often hear print through from the master tapes and rumble in in the cutting lathe motors. Stop me before i go too far!!javascript:smilie('
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