Grado Reference vs Benz Glider and H2

Kel34, I am using a Hadcock with a Grado Sonata on a Merrill/AR and they work well together.

Sounds like the H2 is worth an audition perhaps I will try it and see if it a suitable replacement for my Grado Reference.

Either the Glider or the H2 will work on a Rega arm.
I've heard them both in the same set-up and the H2 is a superior cartridge. Timbre and detail is fabulous and noticeably better than with the Glider (which is no "slouch" itself!).

For me, the Benz cartridges occupy the middle ground between the fast, highly delineated sound of the uber moving coils favored by most audiophiles, and the rich, smooth textured sound offered by the Grados, Shure V15s, etc. In addition, the Benz cartridges from the wood bodies on up do something special with tonal balance that favors vocal, woodwind, and massed string reproduction in particular. Like the Grados, I find the Benz H2 to be a natural, rather than supernatural sounding cartridge. However, unlike the Grado Ref it is more rhythmically lithe, which shows up particularly well in bass and percussion heavy recordings.

Unfortunately, I can not comment on the suitability of either the Benz H2 or Grado Reference with your arm and table. That is what a trusted dealer is for.

i have an H2 on a vpi scout and love it.

Overall the Morch Up-4 with my Grado is a very magical experience indeed.I also use the Wally Tracker Protracter mirror to get that last bit of retrival off the LP grooves.
It is sensitive too VTA changes,and I try not to fiddle with it to much.I know when its right on,the highs extend way out with incredible ambient retreival and the bass gets deep and powerful.The magical midrange stays the same irregardless of what VTA setting I use.
I would reccommend this arm if you can find one used.The arm wands are interchangable which is nice.I hear some people prefer a slightly higher mass version of this arm,But I have not had any problems with mine at all except on badly warped LP's.

Hi Doublebass;

I get subsonics on every record with the Rega arm. Apparently the Grados excel with low mass arms how do you like your Grado Ref/Moerch combination?

I've also been looking at the Haddock but don't know if its suited for a suspended deck.

I am using the Morch UP-4 Arm with my Grado REF.and used the Cardas test record and was shaking really bad at the 10 Hz signal,But not at the 8 hz or above the 10Hz .I am using the red dot version for the arm,But have not encountered any problems except when I have a somewhat warped LP things can get very bothersome,extreme concave
and things get very bad indeed.Luckly most my LP's used or new are flat and in nice condition.

The formulas are just mathematical models. A good guide but IMO the best way is to use the HFN test record to find out what the resonant frequency actually is. There are always exceptions and assumptions with models and the fact that you're using an aftermarket weight may or may not be effecting resonance like you expect. Even if you are actually within 1/3 hertz as the calculations suggest I can't imaging that in itself is enough to say this is a poor combination. If you don't hear any mistracking then I wouldn't be concerned.

I just did a quick calculation to measure tonearm/cartridge matching with the Rega arm and Grado Reference and got a number of 8.38Hz.

Keeping in mind I use a heavier drop counterweight and therefore effective mass is added upon I believe I'm below the suggested minimum of 8Hz.

I'm wondering if a lighter tonearm would make my Grado perfom better. Which arm would you use?

Any thoughts?

Good point Doublebass your thoughts are similar to my own. Seeing how I don't have 4k for a cartridge perhaps I could get more out of the Grado Reference with a different tonearm.

I do believe the RB300 is not an ideal match for it and could be the cause of all the subsonics I'm getting.

Any ideas anyone on ideal tonearms for this awesome cartridge?

I have the Grado Reference Reference as well,and I would find it very difficult to obtain a higher level of performance unless you spend a great deal more money
on say a Lyra Titan MC for 4K,ourelse the top of the line Grado Statement which is a very low output and would need alot of gain in the phono stage.
The mid band reproduction is just so incredible on this cartridge that I would find it very difficult to part with
IMO.I cannot comment on the other cartridges you have posted above .I have not heard those,But the Titan Lyra does perform much better then the Grado from what I heard from this cartridge at the Audiofest by a wide margin,But it cost much much more as well.
Good Luck
Happy Listening
Don

I use the Grado Reference Reference and I am curious about finding a comparable replacement.

This is a really good cartridge so it's gonna take something exceptional to satisfy me.

I am interested in suggestions

Is you cartridge the Reference Reference or Statement Reference?

I had the Benz Glider and though it was well reviewed, I was generally disappointed with it. It lacked dynamics, and I thought was muted no matter where, or how I set it up. The H2 would be a much better suggestion given the choices you listed.