Sgt Shultz
Addicted Member
I have a blue and a gold, both fitted with an 8MZ stylus, also a Platinum wood body and it blew them away until the maidinator took out it's cantilever.
One of these days it might get re-tipped, I'm using LOMC more now.
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Wood body Grado cartridges ?
- Thread starter MisterDK
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- grado grado woody
I have a blue and a gold, both fitted with an 8MZ stylus, also a Platinum wood body and it blew them away until the maidinator took out it's cantilever.
One of these days it might get re-tipped, I'm using LOMC more now.
FauxHall
Super Member
I'm thinking of giving a mid-level Grado woodie Platinum 3 a whirl but the electrical specs confuse me.
My integrated amp's phono has either a conventional MM setting or a MC with 50 ohm impedance. Supposedly, per Stereophile test, the chain is rather higher gain than standard.
But Grado offers a low output MI version with 1 mV output and 70 Ohm impedance with a recommended load of 10k to 47k Ohm. That suggests to me two things if I get the low output version. First, I'd need the MM amp setting and second, I'd have to crank up the volume knob.
Is that really the better choice for my amp? I'm a nut for tonality - chamber music and small jazz are my favorite types of music.
gradolabs.com
www.stereophile.com
My integrated amp's phono has either a conventional MM setting or a MC with 50 ohm impedance. Supposedly, per Stereophile test, the chain is rather higher gain than standard.
But Grado offers a low output MI version with 1 mV output and 70 Ohm impedance with a recommended load of 10k to 47k Ohm. That suggests to me two things if I get the low output version. First, I'd need the MM amp setting and second, I'd have to crank up the volume knob.
Is that really the better choice for my amp? I'm a nut for tonality - chamber music and small jazz are my favorite types of music.
Platinum4
GradoLabs.com is place to find all Grado Labs headphones, phono cartridges, and genuine accessories at unbeatable prices. Free domestic shipping on all headphones. Full USA warranty.
gradolabs.com
Yamaha A-S3200 integrated amplifier Measurements | Stereophile.com
Sidebar 3: Measurements I tested the Yamaha A-S3200 with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). I first preconditioned the amplifier by following the CEA's recommendation of operating it at one-eighth the specified power into 8 ohms for 30 minutes. At the end of...
CrSens
Super Member
I'm thinking of giving a mid-level Grado woodie Platinum 3 a whirl but the electrical specs confuse me.
My integrated amp's phono has either a conventional MM setting or a MC with 50 ohm impedance. Supposedly, per Stereophile test, the chain is rather higher gain than standard.
But Grado offers a low output MI version with 1 mV output and 70 Ohm impedance with a recommended load of 10k to 47k Ohm. That suggests to me two things if I get the low output version. First, I'd need the MM amp setting and second, I'd have to crank up the volume knob.
Is that really the better choice for my amp? I'm a nut for tonality - chamber music and small jazz are my favorite types of music.
Platinum4
GradoLabs.com is place to find all Grado Labs headphones, phono cartridges, and genuine accessories at unbeatable prices. Free domestic shipping on all headphones. Full USA warranty.
Yamaha A-S3200 integrated amplifier Measurements | Stereophile.com
Sidebar 3: Measurements I tested the Yamaha A-S3200 with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). I first preconditioned the amplifier by following the CEA's recommendation of operating it at one-eighth the specified power into 8 ohms for 30 minutes. At the end of...
CrSens
Super Member
Your amp has enough gain in MM mode for the Sonata low output, in respect to power output of the amp, but as the amp overall has very high gain it likely means you will have to turn the volume considerably higher up compared to other sources. So yes, there is more than enough gain in absolute sense, but you will have to be careful to remember to back down the volume control when switching to digital or other source.
cafe latte
Addicted Member
The Platinum 3 is essentially identical to the Opus 3 with a different type of wood body. The damping is excellent with both. My advice is get the cheaper Opus and put the money you save towards a retip.I'm thinking of giving a mid-level Grado woodie Platinum 3 a whirl but the electrical specs confuse me.
My integrated amp's phono has either a conventional MM setting or a MC with 50 ohm impedance. Supposedly, per Stereophile test, the chain is rather higher gain than standard.
But Grado offers a low output MI version with 1 mV output and 70 Ohm impedance with a recommended load of 10k to 47k Ohm. That suggests to me two things if I get the low output version. First, I'd need the MM amp setting and second, I'd have to crank up the volume knob.
Is that really the better choice for my amp? I'm a nut for tonality - chamber music and small jazz are my favorite types of music.
Platinum4
GradoLabs.com is place to find all Grado Labs headphones, phono cartridges, and genuine accessories at unbeatable prices. Free domestic shipping on all headphones. Full USA warranty.
Yamaha A-S3200 integrated amplifier Measurements | Stereophile.com
Sidebar 3: Measurements I tested the Yamaha A-S3200 with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). I first preconditioned the amplifier by following the CEA's recommendation of operating it at one-eighth the specified power into 8 ohms for 30 minutes. At the end of...
Chris
cafe latte
Addicted Member
I have heard both and I don't agree. On a well damped arm they sound identical. The only reason I can think for the Platinum to sound darker is either it is faulty, or you are comparing high and low outputs, using different loadings maybe..? The Platinum with be slightly better damped but both carts have good damping. The only thing that may account for a different sound is the heavier body of the Platinum. Grado like a light ish arm is light medium compliance and with the heavier Platinum this is even harder to achieve for many of today's arms. When I tried the Platinum I used a VERY light headshell and happily the counterweight was close to the pivot point which helps effective mass be as low as possible. Maybe a compliance issue?
If we are talking Platinum 2 then I agree it is darker, but not 3, at least not the ones I have heard.
Chris
cafe latte
Addicted Member
I have had both Platinum and Opus out of their bodies which few or possibly nobody else has here, they are identical inside.
Chris
Chris
cafe latte
Addicted Member
What is your system?
Chris
CrSens
Super Member
You are essentially claiming (and this is not the first time), that all Grado wood bodies sound the same, except the Reference and Statement, and that it is a waste of money going for the more expensive versions. You claim the same for the Prestige bodies. In doing so, you aim to be smarter than the established manufacturer making them, one of the few independent ones with the great tradition and experience and still surviving after so many years in business. I don't know is this the result of arrogance (know it all), you are really a scientific minded genius, or just a business model "buy a cheaper model and send it for retip, and I (or somebody else) will make it better than the manufacturer is trying to get the money for from you". If you can't hear a difference between various Grado models as the price goes up, I can't help you, it does not mean that the difference is not there. And i am certainly not going to debate it further, it is what it is and we will have to agree to disagree.
lsipes1965
Member
I don’t have a dog in the fight. But I think people do need to be aware of what is possible with the brilliant design Joe Grado pulled from his brain. Once you put a nude mount diamond on even a stock cantilever it changes the sound. Whether you like that or not is up to you. It will not only track better, but as a result resolution goes up a notch, even with an elliptical. Once you put a fine line or contact line on one you’re talking about a VAST jump in track ability and resolution. I’ve got 2 G1’s a G2, a Signature XTZ and a Sonata2. The G series with a contact line mounted betters the XTZ, and that was a $800 cart when sold. They are not embarrassed by a Soundsmith Voice.
CrSens
Super Member
I have several complicated systems with many turntables and various amps, but the "reference" one would be Rega P6 with Grado Statement 2 and optional Tungsten counterweight, Clearaudio Nano V2 phono, and quadraphonic setup of Sansui QRX-6001 for processing and rear channels, Sansui G-901 driving the fronts (Rogers Studio 1a), and Exposure 2010S as buffer and volume control. Rega has some additional tweaks (as the rest of my turntables), but they are somewhat controversial and I would prefer not to go into that.
cafe latte
Addicted Member
I have no deisire to argue and I will not return your rudness. I have opened up various wood bodies and the engine stays the same on the ones I opened. If you want to believe otnerwise that is fine, it is your choice. The cheaper red blue siver gold are the same. Grado says the best of the red become a blue and the best of the blue become a gold. If this was true you would always fine better channel balance and separation on the higher models and better stylus alignment too. Reality is I have measured far better channel balance and separation on a blue than a gold with better stylus alignment too. The gold and silver have better stylus dampig but I am not sure I like the change it makes. Grado are lovely carts, few carts at any price compare re separation and the independant Grado family should be celibrated for this achievement. That said they are famous for smoke and mirrors in the specs and not very forthcoming when asked what the real differences between models are. If you buy any other cart, maybe a Koetsu or Dynavector for example in the description and specs the differences are highlighted. With Grado there is only inference as to differences, reading the description for the Platinum for example it reads as if it is a step up for the Opus and it has dual magnets but the opus does not. But the Opus too does have dual magnets also, they are not lying but it is clever wording.
What do you think they can possibly change between the Opus and the Platinum? The coils are identical as is the stylus assembly (I have had them both apart). The glue is the same and the wood is different, the only difference.. I am no genuis, but I do know carts and unlike you I have totally stripped down both out of interest so I know what the differences or lack of are. As you have not I can not really see how you can claim the carts are so different in construction.
If someone has a light lively arm maybe the wood in the Platinum is worthwhile, otherwise I cant recommend the Platinum. Other models with better cantilever and stylus are of course different in that respect.
Chris
CrSens
Super Member
I did not claim carts are different in construction, I said in sound. If you think you know better about construction and what is reponsible for the final sound of the cartridge better than Joseph and John Grado, good for you. It is a big loss for the audio world you did not start your own cartridge making business.
cafe latte
Addicted Member
The Statement 2 is dark sounding, I prefer my Opus 3 to my Statement Reference 2.
Cart wise I have over 100 and I have heard thousands and I still rate the Opus very highly.
Main system is ATC SCM 100's DNM Pre AMP various power amps I use a lovely Mosfet one mostly but also swap out when I feel the need for valve and slot in my Conrad Pemier 4. Been using a Sutherland 20 20 phono stage recently lovely, but auditioning a Aesthetix Rhea 13k Australian but lovley.
I am not against Grado or their business model, I love Grado carts as you do, I am just pointing out what differences actually exist and what do not.
The Grado black is one of the biggest bargins in this hobby, how many other carts at that price can deliver 38dB separation, non I can think of?
Chris
Grado does seem to be a little less than forthcoming when it comes to describing what is different about each cartridge. It’s that confusion which is the reason I asked the differences between the conventional blue/gold series vs the wood. I’m not sure I am much enlightened though. Think I might just have to buy a blue or an opus and see how much of a difference there really is in sound.
cafe latte
Addicted Member
Any difference is sound is not from the engine they are exactly the same. Maybe the wood (I already siad this) on your arm is making a suptle change or maybe it is slight engine to engine variations making the difference (mayne one has more damping glue..
I did....
Chris
lsipes1965
Member
To be honest, I’d buy the basic Black3……if you find you like the house sound….wear it out and then send it to either Cafe above or Joseph Long for a nude mount elliptical or contact line. Or there is always eBay. You can find vintage bodies for pennys on the dollar and have one of them retipped.
cafe latte
Addicted Member
My feeling is the low output Opus is worth the extra (blue only high output) Also the glue and the wood adds postive sound due to damping, but the blue , actually the black too sound very good indeed especially for the price paid.
Chris
lsipes1965
Member
Been meaning to ask you….how do you describe the difference in sound between the Black3 and Opus. I’ve got a Black3, so know what it sounds like with the stock stylus.