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Will a GRACE F-9 crush a SHURE M91ED?

bobbyonions

bobbyonions

AK Member
I acquired a NOS Grace RS-9E stylus. I put it on Bartertown for sale, but also to consider instead buying a F-9 cartridge and using it.

A gentleman responded and is willing to either purchase the stylus OR sell me his F-9 cartridge. Now I can't decide which way to go.

I am quite happy with my Shure M91-ED with original high track stylus. I am using a dual 1229 with restored vintage tube gear.

Do you think the Grace would be a huge upgrade in my system? If I sold the Grace, I could buy a jico for my shure 91 or 97 instead. Any recommendations from Shure/Grace users?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Buy the cartridge those are rare and if you don't like it you can make back your investment and then some. So run don't walk and get the Grace....... I'd say the Grace was way better than the Shure but don't get me wrong the M91ED equipped with the older thin cantilever are very nice cartridges and at one time were second in the Shure lineup.

I'm curious did you get the F9E stylus off of ebay?
 
^^^

Do as Stanton suggests. I'm pissed I haven't been on BT lately and seen your listing. I would buy the F9. I do have two F-9's. One needs a stylus retip the other has a later vintage excellent 'E' stylus.

I do have a M91ED body with multiple different styli (no Jico yet) and would easily give up the M91ED if a Grace was the other option.
 
Petspective

You should take the gentleman's offer and buy the cartridge.
It will present your music as if it were a beautiful landscape but each Instrument and performer will be presented as a fine portrait painted by a master.
Really
(I read your profile)
And I'm already over-hoarding
Phil
 
Buy the Grace, it was one of the finest MM cartridges ever made. Many devotees cherish them. And your music will really shine playing it with this legend.
 
Get the Grace. I have one with the E stylus and love it. If you don't like it you can always sell them both back to the person that sold you the cart.
 
Stanton681EEES said:
Buy the cartridge those are rare and if you don't like it you can make back your investment and then some. So run don't walk and get the Grace....... I'd say the Grace was way better than the Shure but don't get me wrong the M91ED equipped with the older thin cantilever are very nice cartridges and at one time were second in the Shure lineup.

I'm curious did you get the F9E stylus off of ebay?
Click to expand...

No, it was from craigslist.
 
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Thanks everyone for the kind advice, but I think I'm selling the stylus instead.

I am happy with my set-up and I have a buyer that I think will especially appreciate the Grace needle.
 
I have a Grace F9 and I once owned a M91ED. The F9 stomps all over the M91 for sound quality.
 
What is enough?

I too am (very) satisfied with my sytem and find it in the music.
So why am I buying this???
Strange dysfunction, eh?
Oh well
 
If you read Rauls list of the best MM cartridges the F9E rates high in the top 10 and the M91, no offence, doesn't even rate a mention. Whoever bought the Grace stylus is the winner in this contest.
 
I'd put the F9E right up there, and probably a little ahead of the V15VMR, but it ain't an AT-ML170. I think Raul underrates the Shure, although I haven't been following his MM adventure for a while so am unaware of his current thoughts.
 
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majick47 said:
If you read Rauls list of the best MM cartridges the F9E rates high in the top 10 and the M91, no offence, doesn't even rate a mention. Whoever bought the Grace stylus is the winner in this contest.
Click to expand...

I would be interested in seeing that list. :yes:
 
Apples and Oranges. The Shure will need different loading than the Grace. With the right phono stage, the Shure is quite engaging. The Grace is a known fine cartridge. But it's sound depends on which Grace styli ...
 
It's all there on Audiogon, Raul may of changed the ranking over time. So far looks like the majority here are in agreement that the F9E is superior to the M91 never mind where eitther one stands on Rauls list.
 
I'm a little concerned about the output. I think the reason I've always been drawn back the the M91 is it's high output (5.5mV). I do have a stock new shure M97xe that doesn't compare well to the 91 IMO. The 97 has 4mV output, 1.5mV less than the 91 and it is noticeable. I can see how the 97 could be perceived as more refined sounding, but I find it less engaging. The old 91ed just has a life and energy that I like. The F-9 has even less output at 3mV.

Does anyone have a good idea of how well the f-9 would mate with the dual 1229 tonearm? Is that like kind of like putting a gold ring in a pig's nose?
 
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bobbyonions said:
I'm a little concerned about the output. I think the reason I've always been drawn back the the M91 is it's high output (5.5ma). I do have a stock new shure M97xe that doesn't compare well to the 91 IMO. The 97 has 4ma output, 1.5ma less than the 91 and it is noticeable. I can see how the 97 could be perceived as more refined sounding, but I find it less engaging. The old 91ed just has a life and energy that I like. The F-9 has even less output at 3ma.

Does anyone have a good idea of how well the f-9 would mate with the dual 1229 tonearm? Is that like kind of like putting a gold ring in a pig's nose?
Click to expand...

That should be mV, not ma output.
 
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