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Grado ME+ Mono Cartridge

Ilikevinyl

Ilikevinyl

Cool Breeze
Purchased the new Grado ME+ mono cartridge a few weeks ago. The new Grado MC+ & ME+ mono cartridges are "True" mono, where your only hearing the horizontal (lateral) movement of the stylus. First I bought the new Audio Technica VM610 mono cartridge. Found out after reading about this cartridge that the two channels are wired together. It's just like pushing in the mono button on your amp. So I returned it after reading about the new Grado "True" mono cartridges. Listening to the Grado ME+ for the first time, I noticed how clear sounding the recordings are. Your hearing much less groove noise! Was listening to June Christy and Chris Connor mono albums, more up and close (intimate) vocals! Bass is full and rich sounding. The mono sound stage now has layers to each sound, more front to back depth to the recording. Only have about 8 hours on the cartridge, sounds better every time I listen to it! High frequencies seem to be getting more airy.

If you have a large mono record collection and your turntable won't hum with a Grado, then I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Grado ME+ cartridge! :music: Grado will also make any of the "Woody" cartridges for mono too! Those should sound even better! Much more money too! ;)

The difference between the MC+ & ME+:

ME+ = 1 mil elliptical tip. Upgraded generating system. Four piece cantilever. Gold color body.

MC+ = 1 mil conical tip. Three piece cantilever. Silver color body.

Both cartridge specs:

Frequency Response: 10-50
Principal: MI
Input Load: 47K
Output at 1KHz 5CM/sec. 5mV
Recommended Tracking Force: 1.5
Stylus Type E
Inductance 45mH
Resistance 475
Stylus Replacement: Yes
Weight: 5.5 grams

Here's the Grado Hum Database. To see if your turntable model will hum.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1k_Wr5zx-hcJ0as6wub8wIqsMu2a67DyLhzE8grJp9mc/htmlview

Grado-ME-Mono-Cartridge_Main-1.jpg
 
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Ilikevinyl said:
Purchased the new Grado ME+ mono cartridge a few weeks ago. The new Grado MC+ & ME+ mono cartridges are "True" mono, where your only hearing the horizontal (lateral) movement of the stylus. First I bought the new Audio Technica VM610 mono cartridge. Found out after reading about this cartridge that the two channels are wired together. It's just like pushing in the mono button on your amp. So I returned it after reading about the new Grado "True" mono cartridges. Listening to the Grado ME+ for the first time, I noticed how clear sounding the recordings are. Your hearing much less groove noise! Was listening to June Christy and Chris Connor mono albums, more up and close (intimate) vocals! Bass is full and rich sounding. The mono sound stage now has layers to each sound, more front to back depth to the recording. Only have about 8 hours on the cartridge, sounds better every time I listen to it! High frequencies seem to be getting more airy.

If you have a large mono record collection and your turntable won't hum with a Grado, then I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Grado ME+ cartridge! :music: Grado will also make any of the "Woody" cartridges for mono too! Those should sound even better! Much more money too! ;)

The difference between the MC+ & ME+:

ME+ = 1 mil elliptical tip. Upgraded generating system. Four piece cantilever. Gold color body.

MC+ = 1 conical tip. Three piece cantilever. Silver color body.

Both cartridge specs:

Frequency Response: 10-50
Principal: MI
Input Load: 47K
Output at 1KHz 5CM/sec. 5mV
Recommended Tracking Force: 1.5
Stylus Type E
Inductance 45mH
Resistance 475
Stylus Replacement U=user U
Weight: 5.5 grams

Here's the Grado Hum Database. To see if your turntable model will hum.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1k_Wr5zx-hcJ0as6wub8wIqsMu2a67DyLhzE8grJp9mc/htmlview

Grado-ME-Mono-Cartridge_Main-1.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting this. I have a couple hundred classical LPs and have begun thinking about the ME+ and the Ortofon 2M Mono.
Jim
 
jameslauffer said:
Thanks for posting this. I have a couple hundred classical LPs and have begun thinking about the ME+ and the Ortofon 2M Mono.
Jim
Click to expand...

The 2M Ortofon mono cartridge is much more expensive! Don't know if that's a "True" mono cartridge where your only hearing the horizontal groove sound. You definitely can't go wrong with the Grado ME+! Just make sure your turntable won't hum.
 
Ilikevinyl said:
The 2M Ortofon mono cartridge is much more expensive! Don't know if that's a "True" mono cartridge where your only hearing the horizontal groove sound. You definitely can't go wrong with the Grado ME+! Just make sure your turntable won't hum.
Click to expand...

I own a Rega RP6 turntable and an unrestored AR-XA. Based on my reading, quite a few AK folks use Grados on their AR tables. I’ll probably follow in their footsteps. Thanks again.
 
If you listen to a decent amount of mono it is definitely worth putting as much money as you can stand on the cart and you will be rewarded with happy sounds. The one I’m running is AT33 mono, even the modern mono pressings sound better with it. I had a thread similar to this one about that cart when I first got it. Only warning is once you spoil your ears it’s hard to go back!
 
ConfuciusSay said:
If you listen to a decent amount of mono it is definitely worth putting as much money as you can stand on the cart and you will be rewarded with happy sounds. The one I’m running is AT33 mono, even the modern mono pressings sound better with it. I had a thread similar to this one about that cart when I first got it. Only warning is once you spoil your ears it’s hard to go back!
Click to expand...

Yes, my ears are spoiled with the Grado mono cartridge! Your AT33 mono is much more money! Is it a "True" mono cartridge, where your only hearing the lateral movement of the stylus? Many so called mono cartridges aren't really "True" mono. The cheap Audio Technica VM610 mono cartridge, the two channels are wired together. The new Grado mono cartridges, the coils are positioned so they only pickup horizontal movements, no vertical movement is heard. You can tell by how much less groove noise your hearing. My mono albums almost sound brand new! Just can't get over how different they sound now. With the Grado ME+ and it's 1 mil elliptical stylus tip, I wouldn't play any new reissue mono albums with it. Just using it with my old mono albums from the '50's & '60's.
 
Ilikevinyl said:
Yes, my ears are spoiled with the Grado mono cartridge! Your AT33 mono is much more money! Is it a "True" mono cartridge, where your only hearing the lateral movement of the stylus? Many so called mono cartridges aren't really "True" mono. The cheap Audio Technica VM610 mono cartridge, the two channels are wired together. The new Grado mono cartridges, the coils are positioned so they only pickup horizontal movements, no vertical movement is heard. You can tell by how much less groove noise your hearing. My mono albums almost sound brand new! Just can't get over how different they sound now. With the Grado ME+ and it's 1 mil elliptical stylus tip, I wouldn't play any new reissue mono albums with it. Just using it with my old mono albums from the '50's & '60's.
Click to expand...

Yes it is true mono in that it only has a horizontal coil so only that information is transmitted. I agree that the other scenario is not great and I never used the mono button on my mono records because it made them sound odd. Because these modern mono carts have vertical movement they are safe to use on things pressed at any time in history and they reward you with great sound. I too held off because it shouldn’t matter but hearing is believing
 
I'm using an AT MONO3/LP and am very pleased with its performance. A little over a Benjamin, and it's a high output MC so you can get away with using a MM preamp. I'd love to try a MONO33. but that's a bit spendy for my budget. If I didn't already have the MONO3/LP I'd want to give that Grado ME+ a spin...
 
Redd House said:
I'm using an AT MONO3/LP and am very pleased with its performance. A little over a Benjamin, and it's a high output MC so you can get away with using a MM preamp. I'd love to try a MONO33. but that's a bit spendy for my budget. If I didn't already have the MONO3/LP I'd want to give that Grado ME+ a spin...
Click to expand...

Yes, the AT-Mono3/LP is another "True" mono cartridge. Many like that mono cartridge too. Was thinking about getting that one when I returned the AT VM610Mono. Read that someone had the AT-Mono3/LP, tried the Grado ME+ mono, liked the Grado better. The good thing about the Grado, you can replace the stylus! I didn't want the AT-Mono3/LP because it's a moving coil with no replacement stylus. So glad I purchased the Grado! You just have to make sure the Grado won't hum on your turntable!

Yes, when your AT needs to be replaced, definitely try the Grado ME+! :thumbsup:
 
ConfuciusSay said:
Yes it is true mono in that it only has a horizontal coil so only that information is transmitted. I agree that the other scenario is not great and I never used the mono button on my mono records because it made them sound odd. Because these modern mono carts have vertical movement they are safe to use on things pressed at any time in history and they reward you with great sound. I too held off because it shouldn’t matter but hearing is believing
Click to expand...

Yes, you can use your AT-33 mono for brand new mono releases. It uses a .65 conical stylus that's ideal for today's new vinyl. With the Grado, the 1 mil elliptical tip wouldn't be such a good idea with the new mono stuff, best for the vintage wide mono groove.

Yeah, I always thought that pushing in the mono button would be the same. I'm a believer now that it's not the same thing! It's great that we have these "True" mono cartridges to enjoy our classic mono albums, the way they should be heard.
 
Ilikevinyl said:
Yes, the AT-Mono3/LP is another "True" mono cartridge. Many like that mono cartridge too. Was thinking about getting that one when I returned the AT VM610Mono. Read that someone had the AT-Mono3/LP, tried the Grado ME+ mono, liked the Grado better. The good thing about the Grado, you can replace the stylus! I didn't want the AT-Mono3/LP because it's a moving coil with no replacement stylus. So glad I purchased the Grado! You just have to make sure the Grado won't hum on your turntable!

Yes, when your AT needs to be replaced, definitely try the Grado ME+! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
The AT website says that when my stylus wears out I can return the cartridge to an AT service center and they'll give me an entire new cartridge for the price of a stylus (whatever that is). I paid about $120 for the cartridge so I think it should be less than a C note, but who knows.
Anyway, I've been a Grado user since the 80's so eventually I will get the ME+ as funds become available. I almost got the Grado initially but after reading reviews from many different sources I opted for the MONO3/LP for $30 less than the Grado.
Thanks for starting the thread! :beerchug:
 
Another factor to consider with the MONO3/LP is the compliance is rather low so you need to make sure your tonearm mass is in the proper range. For my modified XB tt it means adding mass to the headshell and CW. I use a Technics headshell with the 4 gram weight attached and a heavier than stock CW that a member here manufactures.
 
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Redd House said:
The AT website says that when my stylus wears out I can return the cartridge to an AT service center and they'll give me an entire new cartridge for the price of a stylus (whatever that is). I paid about $120 for the cartridge so I think it should be less than a C note, but who knows.
Anyway, I've been a Grado user since the 80's so eventually I will get the ME+ as funds become available. I almost got the Grado initially but after reading reviews from many different sources I opted for the MONO3/LP for $30 less than the Grado.
Thanks for starting the thread! :beerchug:
Click to expand...

Nice, that you don't have to pay full price for another one. :thumbsup:

This is my first Grado cartridge and I'm very satisfied! :music: There's not many reviews on these two new Grado mono cartridges. Glad I could provide some info. :)
 
Paul K said:
Really! Not even the C is a conical?
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On Mon, Oct 14, 2019 at 9:32 AM gradoservice <inquiries.gl@gradolabs.com> wrote:
Hi Glenn

the MC+ and the ME+ both use a .2x.7 mil elliptical diamond

the ME+ use a better performing generator

the Black v2 uses the same diamond, however the coil components are much different that the MC and Me chassis



any questions,let us know , happy to help


Thanks for Enjoying Grado Products

Grado Labs
4614 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY11220

So, I was wrong - it's .2 x .7mil, not .3 x .7.
 
beatcomber said:
On Mon, Oct 14, 2019 at 9:32 AM gradoservice <inquiries.gl@gradolabs.com> wrote:
Hi Glenn

the MC+ and the ME+ both use a .2x.7 mil elliptical diamond

the ME+ use a better performing generator

the Black v2 uses the same diamond, however the coil components are much different that the MC and Me chassis



any questions,let us know , happy to help


Thanks for Enjoying Grado Products

Grado Labs
4614 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY11220

So, I was wrong - it's .2 x .7mil, not .3 x .7.
Click to expand...

Wow!!!
Thanks for the clarification!
 
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