That Grado Opus3 Cartridge

[MisterDK]

Just ordered an Opus3 today, been wanting to try one for over a year... A stereo, high output version should be here in a week.
I’’ll let you-all know how wonderful it is after I get a few hours on the tip..
If I love it, maybe I’ll order another in low output to compare.

 

[warrjon]

I have a low output Opus 3 with Chris's @cafe latte Boron/MR upgrade and it's a fantastic cartridge, exceptional micro detail. it's also very quiet into the MC input at 64dB.

 

[DavidTT]

I guess it's better for everybody the number is 300, I understand.
Guys, don't listen to me.....

Roofers will ALWAYS tell you that you need a new roof.

 

[soundmig]

I'm running an Opus 3 Low Output version with an Ogura Stylus/Cantilever. It sounds GREAT on my Well Tempered Classic.

 

[MisterDK]

I'm running an Opus 3 Low Output version with an Ogura Stylus/Cantilever. It sounds GREAT on my Well Tempered Classic.

Who did the re-tip on it?

 

[HamboneF18]

The old Shure studies examined the wear products found in the grooves. Diamond dust was the main contaminant. They played the same record without cleaning it. Playing a record (on repeat) for hundreds of hours, until the stylus is beyond worn, is not a real world test. Because: No one plays records that way; Diamond dust accelerates wear to a Diamond tip way beyond just vinyl/diamond contact.

 

[soundmig]

Who did the re-tip on it?

I believe it was Joseph. I bought it second hand, as the previous owner only had a few hours on it before deciding to go a different direction. Anyway, he said that Joseph Long installed the Qgura.

 

[cafe latte]

The old Shure studies examined the wear products found in the grooves. Diamond dust was the main contaminant. They played the same record without cleaning it. Playing a record (on repeat) for hundreds of hours, until the stylus is beyond worn, is not a real world test. Because: No one plays records that way; Diamond dust accelerates wear to a Diamond tip way beyond just vinyl/diamond contact.

Yet Ray's wear study the stlus lasted longer on the repeat play than it did on real use. The real use was stuffed at 500 hours, the repeat play was not bad at 500 hours both were 1.25g tracking
Chris

 

[jrtrent]

Roofers will ALWAYS tell you that you need a new roof.

Maybe it depends on the roofer. When I had my roof inspected (older home, lower-grade roofing material, and already 20+ years since it was installed), the two companies I got estimates from both told me it should be good for several more years.

Back when I had local dealers who offered microscopic inspection of styli, I would bring it in after six months' use (a bit under 400 hours) and was never told that it needed replacement at that point. They said that diamonds could differ in wear, and customers don't always have a good idea about the actual hours of use, so the six month inspection (free of charge) was cautionary. I typically got nine to twelve months from a stylus, and once got fourteen months. This was with elliptical styli having about a 0.75-1.5 gram tracking force range and a recommended vtf of 1.0 to 1.25 grams.

These days, I use cheap conicals with heavier tracking forces and have no ready access to examination, so I just follow the manufacturer's suggested 400 hour service life. With replacement styli costing just $24 to $39, I'm happy to do that, and my records show no indication of suffering from it.

 

[Ilikevinyl]

Opus3 playing the Bangles. High output version.

 

[Lorenzo47]

The woody series all have basically the same engine high and low output. The top two Epoch models have gold coils which results in them having higher resistance and higher inductance which is not really a good thing. Anyway apart those two the rest of the range is the same apart wood type and stylus and cantilever. The glue inside the body is quite rubbery so the glue itself is helping with damping.
Previous Grado sounded nice, but highs were rolled off not so with the new 3 series. Separation too is nuts, I measured an Opus 3 a few days ago with 39dB Separation!!!
Chris

I really like my Opus 3. Currently running on my Marc Morin updated AR XA. Agree that separation is the best I've heard. Mainly a jazz listener and the highs are fine.

 

[cafe latte]

Roofers will ALWAYS tell you that you need a new roof.

David, that is simply not true of fair. If asked to check something if what you are checking is fine decent people will say it is fine and not carry out work some of us need to look at ourselves in the mirror in the morning.
300 hours is the finish point for an elliptical tracking so heavy. Long stylus life ideas came from numbers quoted back in the 80's when high compliance and very low tracking forces were common. Yes you can get 800 hours from an elliptical but tracking at 1g not tracking at 1.7g. Wear is exponentially more after 1.25g.
Chris

 

[MisterDK]

Tracking shows that my Opus3 should be here tomorrow. Just pulled of the previous cartridge, an AT PRO14S (nude Shibata), not because it was too worn but ‘cause I’ve been wanting to try the Grado. That AT cartridge still sounds pretty decent, though…

 

[cafe latte]

Tracking shows that my Opus3 should be here tomorrow. Just pulled of the previous cartridge, an AT PRO14S (nude Shibata), not because it was too worn but ‘cause I’ve been wanting to try the Grado. That AT cartridge still sounds pretty decent, though…

Looking forward to hearing your opinion.
Be careful removing the stylus cover. If it is stuck get a small screw driver at the rear and prise up. People have broke the cantilever when it releases suddenly and it rolls in your fingers and cantilever is gone.
Chris

 

[MisterDK]

Looking forward to hearing your opinion.
Be careful removing the stylus cover. If it is stuck get a small screw driver at the rear and prise up. People have broke the cantilever when it releases suddenly and it rolls in your fingers and cantilever is gone.
Chris

Thanks, Chris.

Yes, I’ll certainly comment on how it sounds after a few hours run in.

Reading as much about these as I could find, I see that VTA is fairly critical, run the lowest anti-skate possible and get the alignment as perfect as I can. Will be using a Baerwald alignment. I’ll probably start out @ 1.8 grams tracking force and go up or down for best sound.. I’ll be setting this up on an Audiomods Series Six arm, BTW.

After seeing some videos I knew the cover could be a snug fit.. I’ll use a wooden popsicle stick to gently pry the cover, if needed.

Duane

 

[Lorenzo47]

I really like my Opus 3. Currently running on my Marc Morin updated AR XA. Agree that separation is the best I've heard. Mainly a jazz listener and the highs are fine.

I should add that I run my Opus 3 on my marcmorinized AR XA that I bought new in 1969. It's not possible to fit the woody with the stock counterweight because of the weight of the cartridge. I have 3 heavier counterweights, 2 of which were made by Larry Spence. You can also attach small lead weights that have adhesive backing. I don't recall where they can be bought. Larry Spence also makes beautiful wooden plinths. https://vintageanalogrestoration.com/

 

[cafe latte]

Thanks, Chris.

Yes, I’ll certainly comment on how it sounds after a few hours run in.

Reading as much about these as I could find, I see that VTA is fairly critical, run the lowest anti-skate possible and get the alignment as perfect as I can. Will be using a Baerwald alignment. I’ll probably start out @ 1.8 grams tracking force and go up or down for best sound.. I’ll be setting this up on an Audiomods Series Six arm, BTW.

After seeing some videos I knew the cover could be a snug fit.. I’ll use a wooden popsicle stick to gently pry the cover, if needed.

Duane

Stock ut us an elliptical so don't worry too much about stylus rake angle as changing angle does not affect contact patch much with elliptical.
Re skate some arms like SME 3009 send the Grado into a wobble probably due to bearings, but others there are no issues. Grado don't mind correct anti skate but arm dependant.
All the best
Chris

 

[Sgt Shultz]

I should add that I run my Opus 3 on my marcmorinized AR XA that I bought new in 1969. It's not possible to fit the woody with the stock counterweight because of the weight of the cartridge. I have 3 heavier counterweights, 2 of which were made by Larry Spence. You can also attach small lead weights that have adhesive backing. I don't recall where they can be bought. Larry Spence also makes beautiful wooden plinths. https://vintageanalogrestoration.com/

So the Opus 3 must be considerably heavier than the Platinum, had no issues with it on the AR XA original arm. Or maybe your headshell is heavier than the OEM headshell.

Ok so did a little research and the Platinum is 6.5g and the Opus 8g, so ya those added corners of wood do add up.

 

[Lorenzo47]

So the Opus 3 must be considerably heavier than the Platinum, had no issues with it on the AR XA original arm. Or maybe your headshell is heavier than the OEM headshell.

Ok so did a little research and the Platinum is 6.5g and the Opus 8g, so ya those added corners of wood do add up.

I'm sure you are right. My XA that was modified has a Technics wand and a heavier head shell. Didn't realize the stock wand and head shell could accommodate the Opus. I have another XA that I modified some time ago that sports a Jelco 9 inch arm. The counterweight on it does accomodate the Opus (barely) Thanks!

 

[DavidTT]

Styluses are a consumable, hence we should be careful with info source.
AG.

+100. If ellipticals are shot at 300 hours there are a LOT of hobbyists' records being chiseled right now. I don't buy it.