Grado GF3 vs Gold (both with 8MZ)

[MoPho]

Hi Folks, I am comparing two carts: Grado GF3 (tan 80s) and Grado Gold (previous model) - both have the 8MZ stylus.

I've A/B'ed them with Don Fagen's The Nightfly and really could not tell much difference. Perhaps the GF3 was a bit crisper. The first impression of the Gold was that it was "laid back". Then I went to my problematic sybillant Beatles Mono records: Mono Masters and Revolver. Maybe it was just my ears but I think the Gold was a bit better in the sybilance area, but not by much.

Question is: how much difference should one expect between these two carts? Maybe I will sell one if the consensus is that they are basically similar.

Thanks!

 

[marcmorin]

sibilance should be confined to the stylus, and not the cart body.......however, what you might be hearing in difference comes down to the input loading of the cart. The GF-3 body was designed to play into an input load of 10K or higher. The optimum range was 22-24K . The Gold has a bit different mounting area than the G series body. it's also possible that energy isn't being damped as well in the GF-3 as the Gold. To check for that, play them both without the sound on, listed for "stylus talk" If they both have it, and the GF-3 is louder, that could be perceived as more sibilant during play.

 

[MoPho]

Hi Marc, thanks. I also forgot to mention that I loaded the GF3 a while ago. If I “unload” for the Gold, will both carts be pretty much the same?

 

[beatcomber]

I personally prefer the deeper soundstage presentation of '80s Grados vs. the Prestige1 series.

 

[marcmorin]

Hi Marc, thanks. I also forgot to mention that I loaded the GF3 a while ago. If I “unload” for the Gold, will both carts be pretty much the same?

The gold body should plug into 47K. There will still be a difference in the presented sound stage. The gold should be a bit wider and taller, the GF3 should be a little deeper front to rear. Think of it as your seating position in an auditorium. The closer to the stage, the wider, the farther the deeper. The GF3 to me is a mid-hall perspective.

 

[MoPho]

Thanks - I did some more comparing but still sounded very very close to me. It could be my ears or that the GF3 and Gold are actually very similar. I was hoping the Gold would be a step up. There are also other factors, like my system.

Maybe there better options for a step-up, like Nagaoka MP110 or the Denon DL-110 - or even the Gold2

 

[cafe latte]

Thanks - I did some more comparing but still sounded very very close to me. It could be my ears or that the GF3 and Gold are actually very similar. I was hoping the Gold would be a step up. There are also other factors, like my system.

Maybe there better options for a step-up, like Nagaoka MP110 or the Denon DL-110 - or even the Gold2

The gold is but you need a gold 2 not a gold 1

 

[beatcomber]

Thanks - I did some more comparing but still sounded very very close to me. It could be my ears or that the GF3 and Gold are actually very similar. I was hoping the Gold would be a step up. There are also other factors, like my system.

Maybe there better options for a step-up, like Nagaoka MP110 or the Denon DL-110 - or even the Gold2

I mean no disrespect, but maybe a better use of your money would be an upgrade from the Technics SL-23?

 

[MoPho]

Ha! Thank you, but I’m not there yet. I do like the SL-23, and spent a lot of time getting it in shape. Just curious what cart is best, before I go down that rabbit hole, if ever. While on the subject, what table would be best for these Grado carts? Technics 1200?

 

[cafe latte]

Ha! Thank you, but I’m not there yet. I do like the SL-23, and spent a lot of time getting it in shape. Just curious what cart is best, before I go down that rabbit hole, if ever. While on the subject, what table would be best for these Grado carts? Technics 1200?

The Technics sl1200mk2 are amazing turntables and easily modded and this can take them to another level. What all Grado need is a light arm or something that extends compliance such as oil damping like the Kab damper on a Technics. This basically allows the arm which has an effective mass in the medium range to be used with carts which require a lighter arm such as the Grado. As I said in the post previously, the new Grado gold to is a big step up from the old Gold 1, the new gold 2 has better highs but it retains the sweet mids of the old range.
Chris