Grado?

[jackgiff]

I bought a turntable which had a Grado ZT+ cartridge. I had an Ortofon which was relatively new, so didn't even try the Grado. Is it worth trying, and perhaps buying a new stylus for it?

 

[Phototone]

A lot of people really like Grado carts. They are still in business and support their products.

 

[ARJohn]

From what I gather the Zt+ is equal to todays Black , so you could pick up a new stylus , black , green etc as they all fit . If you have removable headshell's table it's nice to have different carts . The grado will sound very different than the Ortofon I think , not better or worse , different .

 

[BrocLuno]

Agree with ARJohn. You should get it running

 

[jackgiff]

Thanks, guys! I appreciate the quick answers.

The turntable is a Marantz 6300, and it didn't come with an extra headshell, but I do have a Pioneer headshell for a model 514. It looks like it will fit, so I will mount the Grado and give it a whirl.

Thanks again.

 

[BrocLuno]

You can get universal headshells off the 'Bay for $15 any day of the week. Keep the Pio for that table. The universal shells are light and that helps with tracking issues.

If you are thinking about testing that cartridge with a VOM, don't - the Ohm scale current will wipe out the windings You can do it with a 100K or better resistor in series with the meter, but never plain probes.

 

[HeadAlign]

I have the Green version on a Technics SL-3200 and it sounds quite good...

 

[TerryO]

I haven't used an extensive number of different cartridges, but I've certainly heard a lot of them in different TTs. I'm using a Grado "Silver" right now and like it a lot, but it's an entirely personal matter of taste. Speakers and cartridges, followed by different brands of tubes (if you have tube gear) have the greatest impact on the overall sound of your system and for that reason are some of the most discussed items of gear in the listening chain.

Grado cartridges are excellent, but may not suit your listening preferences. However, since you already have one, I'd get another headshell and try it out. You may prefer it and if nothing else you'll have a backup available just in case.

Best Regards,
TerryO

 

[BrocLuno]

Yup