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Grado 8mz, Silver or Gold Stylus?

Old Guy8

Old Guy8

Cliff & Cleo
Subscriber
One of my systems has a Denon DP37F with a Grado M+. I bought used and don't know hours on it. I'm looked to replace stylus. Want your opinions, experiences.
Turntable drives Sony integrated TA-AX520 to New Large Advents , stacked. Listen to jazz, blues, rock in a fairly live large room. I use decreased tweeter level position on Adven crossovers. I boost base a little on amp, which I usually do on all amps with tone controls.
The question:
Which stylus replacement is a prefered from your experience? Silver ($20 cheaper) Gold (cherry picked from silver production)or 8mz?
 
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the 8MZ for the same money is the better stylus. You might want to check R value of the M+ body. 800ohm range, and you'll want the loading to be 24K area, 480ohm range, and 35K.
 
arcmorin said:
the 8MZ for the same money is the better stylus. You might want to check R value of the M+ body. 800ohm range, and you'll want the loading to be 24K area, 480ohm range, and 35K.
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Marc,
I've never checked one. Which color cartridge posts do I check across? Thanks for response. Have noticed this cart is lower volume output than my other carts.
 
Old Guy did you have the present M+ stylus checked for damage/wear/condition? I'm sure either another AK member or an audio shop could examine it with a proper stylus scope and let you know if it really needs replacing. Not all but a good number of these decent vintage cartridge/stylus might only require a good cleaning.
 
majick47 said:
Old Guy did you have the preeyepiecestylus checked for damage/wear/condition? I'm sure either another AK member or an audio shop could examine it with a proper stylus scope and let you know if it really needs replacing. Not all but a good number of these decent vintage cartridge/stylus might only require a good cleaning.
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majick47,

I bought a nice college microscope at a garage sale. Should buy eyepieces, and lights to check it out. Know there are threads to recommend power needed and pictures to compare to. thanks for response.
That M+ sounds very nice. Seams like a nice middle ground between an AT440mla brightness and Shure M91 with LA Gear microline stylus more reserve sound on other TT's.
edit: Found Sparky's DIY microscope sticky thread here in turntables.
 
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Old Guy8 said:
Marc,
I've never checked one. Which color cartridge posts do I check across? Thanks for response. Have noticed this cart is lower volume output than my other carts.
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top to bottom on both sides, grado doesn't color their pins. Output is low compared to Shure or (most) ATs ( 3.5mv vs 5mv generally)
 
marcmorin said:
top to bottom on both sides, grado doesn't color their pins. Output is low compared to Shure or (most) ATs ( 3.5mv vs 5mv generally)
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Marc,
Thanks for info. Think I will order 5x and 20x eyepieces for my microscope. Try inspecting. See if I can determine state of stylus wear. I used to inspect drill bit facets using a lower power microscope when I was working.
 
Old Guy I have an 8mz stylus and it is excellent as Marcmorin suggested for a new stylus. If the M+ sounds very nice after you listening to it then it may still have many hours left, as I suggested after you check it with an appropriate scope clean it if needed, I'v had excellent results with Last stylus cleaner, a one time application/cleaning since all my records are cleaned on a RCM and the stylus stays spotless.
 
majick47 said:
Old Guy I have an 8mz stylus and it is excellent as Marcmorin suggested for a new stylus. If the M+ sounds very nice after you listening to it then it may still have many hours left, as I suggested after you check it with an appropriate scope clean it if needed, I'v had excellent results with Last stylus cleaner, a one time application/cleaning since all my records are cleaned on a RCM and the stylus stays spotless.
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majick,
Yes, my M+ sound pretty nice. I due hear some sibilance on a few albums though. Maybe I should check its alignment, also.
I just ordered 5x and 20x eyepieces for my lab microscope today. Will give 50x and 200x views. Will see if I can recognize a good vs worn/replace condition. Because of depth of field making photos difficult to recognize what your looking at in the microscope thread on thissite, there is some mystery to me.
My past work experience in measuring drill bit point geometry showed how critical lighting position is for seeing what you want.
I have diy record cleaning process. Currently a Spinclean then rinse and vac on an old grounded turntable. Then new jacket liners.
Only heard positives on 8mz.
thanks for comments.
 
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