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Grado Sonata1 Ref Vs. Audio Technica AT33EV

I've been using a Grado Sonata1 Reference cart for the past 1.5 years, and recently upgraded my speakers from monitors to floor standers. Now with the more pronounced bass, I'm noticing the Grado is a bit washy in the bass. The quantity if there, and it goes deep, but it's a bit soft. This is with a PS Audio GCPH and a Clearaudio Emotion TT. I'm considering making the switch to a more budget-friendly MC cart, particularly the AT33EV. Has anyone heard both the AT33EV and the Grado Sonata1 and can make a fair comparison?

Things I love about the Grado are: absolutely beautiful midrange, delicate treble, great harmonic detail, timbre, and lushness, soundstage. Really the only things I can think of that would need improving might be the bass "cleanliness", and perhaps a tad more extension in the treble. Maybe the AT33EV can't live up to all that?
jwglista

Showing 5 responses by jwglista

jwglista OP
206 posts
 
Speakers are Golden Ear Triton 3. I don't notice the flabbiness when using my DAC, which is why it seems specific to the analog front end.
jwglista OP
206 posts
 
Stringreen: Can I ask what you upgraded to? Also, I have the Sonata1, which is the improved version of the original Sonata. I don't notice much grain at all, and that's coming from what I used to have, a Clearaudio Virtuoso.
jwglista OP
206 posts
 
Davide256: It's strange that you say that, cause to my ears, it seems to do well with surface noise. The TT is on a wall mount shelf far enough away from the speakers, so I don't think that's an issue. Maybe I can experiment with the VTA a bit, raise the back end of the tone arm a bit. I'm hesitant to do that because I know that will mess up the cartridge alignment a bit, which is spot on right now.

Stringreen: Wow that's quite an upgrade. I bet it sounds fantastic. I was thinking of moving up to the Ace someday.
jwglista OP
206 posts
 
Davide256: I have not played with the loading at all, and have just had it at 47k. It's something to try though.

Heyraz: I still don't quite know why, but when I bought my Sonata1, I went with the high output instead of the low output, even though I have the PS Audio GCPH which is capable of providing the necessary gain. I think it was because I read about the infamous "Grado Hum", and was worried that the low output version would require extra gain that would amplify this possible hum. I suppose that was a mistake on my part.

Knownothing: I think you might be right about the TT. And to explore this, I actually ordered a Dynavector 20x2L (low output), which is being delivered today. I chose to take this step first to find out which is at fault. If I'm still experiencing dissatisfaction with the bass, then I'll know it's time to start saving up for that VPI Classic.
jwglista OP
206 posts
 
Fourwnds: I actually upgraded both my cartridge and turntable. For the cartridge, I went with a Dynavector 20X2L. My turntable was upgraded to a VPI Classic 1. Bass has improved substantially. It was first improved with just upgrading to the 20X2L with my old turntable, but the VPI Classic 1 took it to a new level. However, I also mounted my Grado Sonata1 onto the VPI for a few days, and the bass did sound better than on my old Clearaudio Emotion, but still was comparatively weak against the Dyna.
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