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Grado Opus3 review

Andre Garcia said:
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.
Click to expand...
A Micro ridge will still last 3x longer.
Chris
 
Redd House said:
Totally agree. From what I gather though from Joseph is that the HE remains closer to the Grado sound. Both opinions are valid IMO. :)
Click to expand...
As much as I respect Joseph I disagree. A stylus itself does not really change the sound. If it is a new record an elliptical and a Micro Ridge will sound similar apart the elliptical wont track as well due to the minor radius especially when things get modulated. When the record is worn however the bit of the groove an elliptical touches (about a quarter down) becomes smeared and worn this is when things change. The Micro ridge on a worn record will read the parts of the groove that is undamaged and miss the damaged section as it is lower so the worn record will sound new again. Also elliptical wear much faster and the mintor radius get bigger as the wear patch forms so tracking gets worse and distortion increases. On the Micro ridge the minor radius stays the same till the end of stylus life so you get the same clean detailed sound right to the end.
A new Micro ridge will sound a little thinner till the rounded edge wears off which takes 50-100 hours. When it has there is very little difference in sound to a Shibata or indeed a 0.2x0.7 elliptical on fresh vinyl apart the obvious better tracking modulation with the Micro ridge. It is worth noting that as much as a 0.2x0.7 can sound really good 1.7g is REALLY heavy for that stylus, wear both on the vinyl and the stylus will be very quick. If he is using the black diamond 0.35x0.7 life is better but flats will still get significant quite quickly at that tracking force.
Chris
 
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Andre Garcia said:
Howdy!
Any input regarding your Opus3?
thanks in advance
AG.
Click to expand...
This is one of the most common mods after doing the same to Denon 103.
The Opus 3 stock has extended highs, lovely mids and great bass. Retipped with boron and a nude micro ridge the extended highs clean up as they are a bit muddled stock. The viron seems faster and the presentation is very wide. Retipped they are stunning.
Chris
 
cafe latte said:
This is one of the most common mods after doing the same to Denon 103.
The Opus 3 stock has extended highs, lovely mids and great bass. Retipped with boron and a nude micro ridge the extended highs clean up as they are a bit muddled stock. The viron seems faster and the presentation is very wide. Retipped they are stunning.
Chris
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip. Soon i will press the trigger for the Opus 3.
AG.
 
After this thread. I'm ordering a high output. My Blue 3 is getting worn. I don't log the hours on carts.
Should be here early next week.

Plan is for SL1200 MKII with fluid damping. EAR834 MM clone pre. To Bryston amps or Cronus Magnum tubes.
 
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Hi Chris, I'm in the UK. Is it possible to buy new cartridges from yourself with upgraded cantilever (boron) and stylus?
I've got a Dynavector XX2 Mii (expert stylus paratrace) which probably needs retipping but still sounds great. I'm debating whether to get it retipped again, or getting the XX-2A (although I don't really want to spend that much as I'm no Rockerfeller).

I was thinking of the Opus High Output or Denon 103 with upgraded cantilever and stylus. I think the Opus LO would be too much for my MC gain stage.

I've got a Gyrodec with Schroder Model 2 Pertinax tonearm (12 or 14 g off.weight) Phono stage gain : MC 62 dB; MM 48 dB

Forgot to say: I love my bass. Listen to a lot of reggae.
 
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