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I have a Grace F9 Ruby and Signet TK 10ML on the way

Super excited to have found both of these wonderful MM examples within the space of one week. They should arrive in a week and I can't wait to spend some time comparing their virtues.

Just curious if anyone else has owned either one or both of these carts and can share what there findings were. For example what am I in for, lush smooth yet detailed or super clinical and potentially harsh?  I will be using them on an Oracle Delphi MK3 turntable with Audiomods 5, low mass tonearm.

I did once have a Signet TK 100 which had a replacement ATN 22 berylium stylus assembly and it was wonderful on a low mass arm but unfortunately I let it go as I only had a heavy tonearm at that the time and it didn't suit (still regret that).

I mainly use Moving Coil and my small collection comprises Fidelity Research FR1 MK3 F, Shinon Boron Red and Ortofon SPU GM Classic.

Look forward to hearing from members and also posting my findings once I have them in my possession.



ateal
5 responses Add your response
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Welcome to the club, i like Grace cartridges, F-9F (Shibata) was my favorite before i tried Level II BR/MR, F-12 and F-14 LC-OFC models.

Unfortunately the Ruby F-9 is elliptical, so it make sence to upgrade with SoundSmith’s Line Contact in the future when you need re-tip. The most advanced and affordable Grace is LEVEL II (Boron cantilever / Micro Ridge stylus tip) and it is wonderful cartridge, the F-12 is impossible to find and very expensive, the F-14 LC-OFC is amazing, but also very expensive. 
bimasta's avatar
bimasta
227 posts
 
I think you'll love the Grace. I've had several F9's over the years (sadly, none at present thanks to a burglary), though I should note never a Ruby and that might make a big difference. I also have the FR1Mk3F (and a spare NOS in the drawer) and there's a similarity — both cartridges present a 'big' sound, a sense of scale while preserving subtle tonal shadings, smoothness across the frequency spectrum, and sheer musicality. Both have lots of detail but not spotlighted or in your face. Both the F9 and the FR are legendary, and for good reason.

I've never heard the Signet so won't offer an opinion.
ateal OP
97 posts
 
Bimasta, that is very interesting that the Grace resembles the FR1 MK3F as this is my favorite cart out of all the carts I have owned. 

Lately i have been been using the SPU on the Yamaha GT2000 and the Shinon Boron Red on my Oracle Delphi. Just tonight I switched back to the FR1 on the Yammy and it was like being reacquainted with a dear friend. 

I don't know why I always think the grass will be greener as all roads lead back to the FR1. 

I look forward to comparing the Grace with the FR1. 
lewm
12,526 posts
 
I have two Ruby cartridges. One still has its original elliptical stylus. The other one I purchased with no cantilever at all, at a suitably low price. (OEM stylus/cantilever carrier assembly was included but with no cantilever.) The cartridge body looks new, so I figure that it got de-cantilevered early in its life. I then sent it off to SS for their ruby cantilever/OCL stylus upgrade. The latter definitely sounds "different" from the original elliptical, which is one of the most "musical" cartridges I had ever heard. Over time, I have come to prefer the SS upgrade, but it’s a matter of taste and the rest of the system.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I'm new to Fidelity-Research cartridges, got my PMC-3 on Sony PUA-7 at the moment, need more time to listen to my favorite records with this rare cartridge, but it's completely different from the high compliance Grace MM carts. Since J.Carr said that PMC-3 is the closest to FR-7f design (like no other FR carts), i've been looking for it.  
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