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Grado Timbre Series Opus3

cratz2

cratz2

Addicted Member
So what do we think about the new-ish Grado Opus3 cartridge? Has anyone heard it?

I have an itch for one more $200-$300 cartridge and this one is looking pretty tempting.

It would be on an S arm table. I already have the 2M Blue, VM95 ML, a Shure V15 II with the Jico non-SAS and an AT12Sa with a newer Shibata.

Short of moving north of $400, what else should I be considering. I don't think I'm looking at MC this time.
 
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The Opus 3 is flat out the best buy a that price and quite a bit above. Back story, I am a retipper and customer sent me an Opus 3 to retip with boron and Micro ridge which I did and tested it. I was frankly stunned how this modded cart sounded highs like no other Grado (I have about 100 carts and a few Grado too). Anyway I was curious enough to buy a low output version for myself and I of course this time tried it stock standard as first time I only tested the retip. Yes the reip is much better, yes faster yes more fine detail BUT the stock standard stopped me in my tracks, mouth open thinking is this cart really a 300 dollar cart!!? The off the shelf Opus 3 is really really good, very wide with lovely MC mids and highs with huge bass (it is a MI not a MC) and really extended highs unlike any other Grado, only beaten by finer detail on the retip, but not taking anything away from the stock version which has to be heard to be believed.
Chris
 
cratz2 said:
So what do we think about the new-ish Grado Opus3 cartridge? Has anyone heard it?

I have an itch for one more $200-$300 cartridge and this one is looking pretty tempting.

It would be on an S arm table. I already have the 2M Blue, VM95 ML, a Shure V15 II with the Jico non-SAS and an AT12Sa with a newer Shibata.

Short of moving north of $400, what else should I be considering. I don't think I'm looking at MC this time.
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If you are looking for a warmer more full bodied sound than the ML on your VM95 try the SH. I have both and the SH is more full bodied and warmer.
 
ghamilton said:
If you are looking for a warmer more full bodied sound than the ML on your VM95 try the SH. I have both and the SH is more full bodied and warmer.
Click to expand...

I'll definitely consider that when I need a new stylus but the ML only has maybe 80 hours on it at this point.

Comparing the 2M Blue to the VM95 ML, I prefer the silkiness of upper mids and the highs of the ML but I also really like the larger presentation of the Blue. The ML sounds more mature but I'm honestly not sure which one I prefer overall.
 
cafe latte said:
The Opus 3 is flat out the best buy a that price and quite a bit above. Back story, I am a retipper and customer sent me an Opus 3 to retip with boron and Micro ridge which I did and tested it. I was frankly stunned how this modded cart sounded highs like no other Grado (I have about 100 carts and a few Grado too). Anyway I was curious enough to buy a low output version for myself and I of course this time tried it stock standard as first time I only tested the retip. Yes the reip is much better, yes faster yes more fine detail BUT the stock standard stopped me in my tracks, mouth open thinking is this cart really a 300 dollar cart!!? The off the shelf Opus 3 is really really good, very wide with lovely MC mids and highs with huge bass (it is a MI not a MC) and really extended highs unlike any other Grado, only beaten by finer detail on the retip, but not taking anything away from the stock version which has to be heard to be believed.
Chris
Click to expand...

I had seen one of your posts talking about retipping. That's what initially got me interested.
 
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So I received the cartridge today. Got it mounted and the initial adjustments complete. It will eventually go on a table with adjustable VTA but I'm not using that table just yet so I'm having to use two mats to offset.

MAN this is a big cartridge!

I've only been listening for about 45 minutes. I'm not sure how blown away I am, but impressions are very favorable. I'm doing a couple clips in effort to try to capture any break-in, which I do believe in.

I'm using Aja and Michel LeGrand's Le Grand Jazz and the two initial discs.
 
cratz2 said:
So I received the cartridge today. Got it mounted and the initial adjustments complete. It will eventually go on a table with adjustable VTA but I'm not using that table just yet so I'm having to use two mats to offset.

MAN this is a big cartridge!

I've only been listening for about 45 minutes. I'm not sure how blown away I am, but impressions are very favorable. I'm doing a couple clips in effort to try to capture any break-in, which I do believe in.

I'm using Aja and Michel LeGrand's Le Grand Jazz and the two initial discs.
Click to expand...
Please tell us more and YT videos are welcome too!
AG.
 
Andre Garcia said:
Please tell us more and YT videos are welcome too!
AG.
Click to expand...

I'll type up some more of my thoughts later tonight.

I'm not really set up to do videos but I can do pretty decent comparison clips and I'll post some tomorrow via Clyp.it.

Definitely not a bad cartridge so far I'm just not sure that, stock for stock, it's better than the $100 cheaper VM95 ML or the 2M Blue though they each have their strengths. Easily my favorite Grado. Very different than their Black/Blue series.
 
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cratz2 said:
I'll type up some more of my thoughts later tonight.

I'm both really set up to do videos but I can do pretty decent clips and I'll post some shortly via Clyp.it.

Definitely not a bad cartridge so far I'm just not sure that, stock for stock, it's better than the $100 cheaper VM95 ML or the 2M Blue though they each have their strengths.
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Thank you.
Grado’s had a sui generis sound, I would like to hear one of them. Grado 3 are really good so far.
AG.
 
OK... here are the clips for now. Anyone that sees that can get the clips closer to identical volumes please have at it.

Table is an AT LP1240 with the preamp removed into an iFi Zen preamp on the MM setting into a Zoom handheld recorder.

First cart is the Grado Opus3, then the Audio Technica VM95 ML then the Ortofon 2M Blue.

I still don't know that I'm in love with the Grado. I'll give it several more hours and possibly tweak the setup but I think it's as close as I can get it.

The VM95 ML sounds better to my ears in pretty much every single way. The 2M Blue sounds bigger, but with a slightly more brash top end. I wouldn't call it harsh but in comparison... it isn't as smooth but I love how it just sounds bigger and more energetic!

https://clyp.it/uaaspbn3
 
And here is a clip of the Grado with about 10 minutes on it vs 13 hours on it. There is definitely a subtle difference but I doubt anyone would hate the fresh version then be head over heels on the more broken in one. To me, it sounds like it has a hair more bottom end and a hair more top end but it sounds more lively, as if it's responding more quickly.

https://clyp.it/kbpm1dlf
 
cratz2 said:
OK... here are the clips for now. Anyone that sees that can get the clips closer to identical volumes please have at it.

Table is an AT LP1240 with the preamp removed into an iFi Zen preamp on the MM setting into a Zoom handheld recorder.

First cart is the Grado Opus3, then the Audio Technica VM95 ML then the Ortofon 2M Blue.

I still don't know that I'm in love with the Grado. I'll give it several more hours and possibly tweak the setup but I think it's as close as I can get it.

The VM95 ML sounds better to my ears in pretty much every single way. The 2M Blue sounds bigger, but with a slightly more brash top end. I wouldn't call it harsh but in comparison... it isn't as smooth but I love how it just sounds bigger and more energetic!

https://clyp.it/uaaspbn3
Click to expand...

Send the crummy Grado off to me for 50 cents on the dollar and I will properly dispose of it. :thumbsup:
 
Do the Grado woodies (especially the new series) have the same reputation for hum on Rega turntables as the Prestige series? I'm looking at the new Opus to go on a Planar 3 or 6 but worry about the hum.
 
DavidTT said:
Do the Grado woodies (especially the new series) have the same reputation for hum on Rega turntables as the Prestige series? I'm looking at the new Opus to go on a Planar 3 or 6 but worry about the hum.
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I've read that the new ones are much less likely to have an issue with hum but definitely seek other opinions as I haven't had a Rega for over 10 years.
 
Grbluen said:
I had a wood bodied Grado once and Man, was it easy to listen to!
I should get another one!
Click to expand...

This one is definitely easy to listen to. I've mostly been using the VM95 ML on one table and the 2M Blue on another table. When I first put the Grado on it was pleasing but hearing them back to back... I don't know.

Of course, the 2M Blue has been in my big boy rig for a while. The system is bright and The cart is bright so trying to give The Grado the benefit of doubt, maybe my ears need to become accustomed to a less bright cartridge.

Overall I'd say it sounds similar to the LP/AT Gear CF3600 but with a bigger bottom end and a bit more refined midrange. Problem is, I paid $39 for the CF3600 and $270 for the Grado.

I'll also try swapping a UTurn Pluto 2 in place of the iFi and I'll try the high output MC setting on the iFi. I'll definitely work with it.
 
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