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Grado Opus3 review

I know that the Opus3 is the first Grado that I have really enjoyed out of the Sonata, the Platinum, the Gold, Red, and Blue, G1 and XTZ cartridges that I have had on my Linns.
 
RickB said:
I know that the Opus3 is the first Grado that I have really enjoyed out of the Sonata, the Platinum, the Gold, Red, and Blue, G1 and XTZ cartridges that I have had on my Linns.
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Rick, question for you or anyone else.
I have LP12 with Basik LVX arm (removable headshell version). Any experience with Opus3 on this arm? My concern is whether that Opus3 big block would fit?
I currently have Gold2 on it. Using EAR834 clone MM phono, at 48 dbs of gain.

Edit: Got my answer from Grado. Opus3 does fit Basik LVX arm.
 
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Gave the Opus3 a try. Put 60 hours on it and returned for refund.

I read a couple nice reviews and thought why not give it a go. I've used various Grado's over the years. For the last couple years I've been using the AT VM540ML.

Extremely disappointed in the tracking. Nothing in the tone or musical involvement categories made me want to keep it. It sounded 'cheap' and very coarse compared to the AT. I was surprised as I was hoping for much better.

Glad you all love it, but not for me.

Rega P3/Neo, AT VM540ML, PS Audio GCPH, Luxman SQ-N150, Zu Dirty Weekend
 
Okay, I'm convinced and have chosen to buy the high output version. I told Joseph no need to send me his two for a taste test so my previous post about posting test results is moot.
Blewpernt's points swayed my decision, and even though my system has plenty of gain for MC and low output carts it just makes sense to not have to gain up if you don't have to.
 
Old Guy8 said:
Rick, question for you or anyone else.
I have LP12 with Basik LVX arm (removable headshell version). Any experience with Opus3 on this arm? My concern is whether that Opus3 big block would fit?
I currently have Gold2 on it. Using EAR834 clone MM phono, at 48 dbs of gain.
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While I do have the later, non removable headshell Basik for my Axis, it is not on my LP12, I have a black Ittok on it, so sorry I can't give you the answer.

Blewpernt said:
Right. Low output must be good for some people—maybe those with better equipment or younger ears. But I run tubes which do hum somewhat and low S/N highlights the hum. As much as I want to be a moving coil guy, they just don’t really work for me. Maybe I’m an example of why MC sales didn’t take off until solid state was the norm? For me the whole low output thing is a step backwards. It’s like taking your big motor out of your car, installing a much smaller one, and then making it work somehow by installing a transmission with 27 speeds.

I bought the low because it showed up on eBay right when the Opus 3 was released for a crazy low price so I grabbed it. I wanted an Opus 3 but I was too cheap to buy it at retail because I’ve had a lot of Grados and the latest ones have been just so/so. I really like the old Fs and Gs.

My thoughts were that I’d never see another one at this price and then the next week the high output version showed up for the same price as the one I just bought and described as an unused Christmas present. I snatched it and ran.

Once I tried it, I thought that the Opus 3 was an outrageous deal at the listed price. They could easily charge double for it based on how it sounds, IMHO. Also: Grado kind of screwed themselves with it because I think it sounds as good as their $600 and $1000 cartridges, so why spend the extra?
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I use the low output in my setup, and hum that might have been evident at the innermost grooves due to the AC motor on the Sondek with earlier higher output Grados is greatly, greatly reduced...the normal MM linestage in my Audible Illusions has plenty of gain without undue noise, all tubes and no phono hum here. I also think whatever this new shielding scheme Grado is using in this cartridge is working.

The detail and articulation of this cartridge is what impressed me the most, I've had Grados for 35 years and the Opus3 surpasses my previous Sonata...it makes me wonder what the upper echelon of Grados using the Opus' technology sound like...

.
 
struttincool said:
Gave the Opus3 a try. Put 60 hours on it and returned for refund.

I read a couple nice reviews and thought why not give it a go. I've used various Grado's over the years. For the last couple years I've been using the AT VM540ML.

Extremely disappointed in the tracking. Nothing in the tone or musical involvement categories made me want to keep it. It sounded 'cheap' and very coarse compared to the AT. I was surprised as I was hoping for much better.

Glad you all love it, but not for me.

Rega P3/Neo, AT VM540ML, PS Audio GCPH, Luxman SQ-N150, Zu Dirty Weekend
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The Opus 3 tracks well for a bonded elliptical but its tracking and high end retrieval is limited by its stylus. I said in my first post when I revived this thread that the highs were a little confused and detail was not perfect. Then I retipped with boron and Micro ridge (like your ML) and the confusion was gone and superb detail and also things became faster and cleaner too which is expected with a better cantilever and a nude Micro ridge. The basics though are there even with the bonded elliptical there is a very wide clean rather MC fluid sound that the AT VM540ml does not have, it cant as the AT it is too high inductance, the AT will always have that rather MM sound due to its square wave and capacitance, the Opus does not, but the Opus is not perfect either not with its stock stylus.
My feeling for what it is worth the AT VM540ml, is what it is, it is a really nice MM, but it is a very MM sounding MM due to reasons mentioned. The Opus 3 even stock you hear the wide fluid MC like sound which is due both to low moving mass and low inductance like MC have, this shines through. There is stunning bass and very realistic mids again clean and good high extension but a tad confused which considering the price of the cart is more than acceptable. Listening to stock Opus 3 I hear its downfalls but I also hear things only very expensive MC's can do this is what impressed me so much. The retip makes the Opus 3 into a really serious cart, but nothing can improve the AT540 as it already has a good stylus..
Chris
 
Blewpernt said:
That’s interesting and goes to show perhaps how much these observations are system dependent. I have the VM540ML and while I can’t fault it for any reason, it also doesn’t draw me in and so I don’t use it. I do have the AT150MLX and I love it.
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Have a VM540ML that I'm liking even more! Have it mounted on a new Jelco TS-550S MKII arm with the Fluid Dampen feature. Using 6K weight silicone fluid. Jelco fluid is only 500. The VM540ML comes alive with the 6K fluid!
 
Ilikevinyl said:
Have a VM540ML that I'm liking even more! Have it mounted on a new Jelco TS-550S MKII arm with the Fluid Dampen feature. Using 6K weight silicone fluid. Jelco fluid is only 500. The VM540ML comes alive with the 6K fluid!
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The reason the VM540ML cant compete with a MC or the Opus 3 is the AT has very high coil inductance which is 460 mH compared to the Opus 3 high output version which is 55mH and the low output version which is 6mH. The VM540ML may well be a nice MM but it will have a distorted square wave due to the inductance, even slightly corrected with capacitance there will always be issues remaining, this is one of the two big arguments for MC's ie MC have low moving mass and they are low inductance so they have a clean square wave. The VM540 is not particularly low moving mass and it is high inductance, the Opus 3 however has very low moving mass even stock and it has really low inductance even the high output version so it ticks the MC boxes even if it is not a MC, the VM540 does not. The square wave is why MM's sound like a MM..
Chris
 
It's been said that the best moving coil is a single turn of wire in air. Virtually no inductance. Also virtually no output.
 
cafe latte said:
The reason the VM540ML cant compete with a MC or the Opus 3 is the AT has very high coil inductance which is 460 mH compared to the Opus 3 high output version which is 55mH and the low output version which is 6mH. The VM540ML may well be a nice MM but it will have a distorted square wave due to the inductance, even slightly corrected with capacitance there will always be issues remaining, this is one of the two big arguments for MC's ie MC have low moving mass and they are low inductance so they have a clean square wave. The VM540 is not particularly low moving mass and it is high inductance, the Opus 3 however has very low moving mass even stock and it has really low inductance even the high output version so it ticks the MC boxes even if it is not a MC, the VM540 does not. The square wave is why MM's sound like a MM..
Chris
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Grado elliptical stylus definitely holding those cartridges back. Which is why I like the VM540ML better with vocals and Jazz.
 
Just finished a retip so testing against stock, difference is bass booms on stock, good but booms, retip it is controlled. Highs and mids again stock good but almost vibrates notes swelling out everything, retip this is gone. The stock is very good indeed but this is the change.
Chris
 
cafe latte said:
Just finished a retip so testing against stock, difference is bass booms on stock, good but booms, retip it is controlled. Highs and mids again stock good but almost vibrates notes swelling out everything, retip this is gone. The stock is very good indeed but this is the change.
Chris
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Boron/microridge I'm assuming. Going to have to wear my stock tip out quickly so I can get a retip. :bigok:
 
Redd House said:
I consider the Blue3 to be my workhorse cartridge. Just an amazing bargain at $125 U.S.
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I have several Grados, including a Blue 3 and and Opus 3. The Blue 3 is great but the Opus 3 gets all the play. The tech stuff is great and good reading but I listen to music. My preference is the Opus.
 
Lorenzo47 said:
I have several Grados, including a Blue 3 and and Opus 3. The Blue 3 is great but the Opus 3 gets all the play. The tech stuff is great and good reading but I listen to music. My preference is the Opus.
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I'm with you there, brother! Since I got my Opus3 I haven't even used any other cartridges on this tt. Honestly? I'm trying wear it out as fast as possible so I can have a far superior stone installed. :thumbsup:
 
Redd House said:
I'm with you there, brother! Since I got my Opus3 I haven't even used any other cartridges on this tt. Honestly? I'm trying wear it out as fast as possible so I can have a far superior stone installed. :thumbsup:
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This is the most insane statement, but also so valid!
What stone in mind?
AG.
 
Redd House said:
Thinking ML but Joseph may have some say in the matter. I know he leans more toward HE in Grados.
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Oh for sure, I dont know how many times you talk with him, but I talk for an hour with Joseph and he educated me very well about all the convenient options available.
Not an easy decision and some how could be addictive. Some stones are really intrinsically beautiful.
HE are close to MR with better lifespan than normal Elliptic one. The sound compared with my original d1200 is better, this HE stone is not so sensitive to used records but reveal a lot more details. (Pop corn time, dont know)
AG.
 
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