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Grado Timbre Series Opus3

Ken Boyd said:
I wonder how the new cart compares to the old Grado Reference Sonata. I paid more for the Reference Sonata then I did my Audio Technic OC9/III, in fact double at the time.
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I have an original Sonata and Platinum, there is no comparison, the LO Opus 3 is better on my Linn Ittok.
 
ghamilton said:
After owning the above Grado wood body (which I loved) I now realize that (for me) it is a waste for me to spend more after discovering the AT-VM95 ML & SH.
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So, which did you prefer; the Opus3 - or the AT?
I presently have on a vintage (bought NOS) AT Pro14S that I like the sound of, especially for what it cost me. It’s getting some miles on it so I’m looking around for good sounding, economical replacements..
 
RickB said:
Grado has had three more steps in the wood body range since the original Platinum, Sonata, Master, etc., I would love to hear a new Sonata 3
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My opinion for what it is worth is the Opus 3 is 2g lighter than the Sonata but the engines are the same compliance. The Grado as a whole are medium/high compliance carts so they need a lightish arm. The wood bodies are quite a bit heavier as a whole than the Prestige series so arm matching so already weight versus compliance is a bit of a challenge but with the Sonata you are adding two more g into the mix with the same engine and stylus but this heavier wood which IMO if arm is well damped wont make a jot of difference.
The retipped Opus 3 is frankly stunning which says quite how good this design really is. Even off the shelf it is a great cart.
Chris
 
MisterDK said:
Chris, please forgive me if this question seems a bit clueless - but with the low output version, can a SUT work well?
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Yes it can. Grado say that above 10k is better, but I have tried much much lower using a head amp which only has low MC loading and it it still sounded great. There is actually enough output that a decent MM phono stage with good output will work fine even with the low output version.
Chris
 
There was mention earlier about using the LO cart with a step up transformer...that kind of nullifies the low inductance theory of the LO cartridge...an active head amp of good quality is different and doesn't impose the same parameters.
 
RickB said:
What are you mounting it on? High or Low output?

I think that knowing to which arms the cartridges are mounted is a big part of the equation on how a cartridge sounds, as much so as the actual turntable.

.
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Have the High output Opus3. Mounting it on a new Jelco TS-550S MKII tonearm. Lighter than the previous SA-750D arm. Will be a perfect match.

Listening now to the Gold3 which sounds excellent! Using the fluid dampening arm feature.
 
MisterDK said:
@Ilikevinyl - Steve, how’s the Opus3 sounding after a couple days of play? Are you liking it more or less than the Nag - and is the background quiet?
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Duane, Opus3 sounds better than the Gold3! Opus3 has more high frequency details. Smoother, velvety, more intimate vocals. More accurate placement of vocals and instruments. Sound stage is beginning to open up more. Better channel separation over the Gold3. Opus3 reminds me of my Denon DL-301 MKII, very MC sounding. Opus3 has a very quiet background! I'm starting to like it better than the Nag MP-200. Both the Gold3 & Opus3 does hum on my Thorens TD-160, but doesn't really interfere with the music.
 
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