In a MM(moving magnet) cartridge, the coils are in the cartridge body and the magnets are on the end of the cantilever, moving around. In a MC(moving coil) cartridge, the coils are on the end of the cantilever, and the magnets are in the cartridge body.
Generally speaking, in low output MC cartridges, the moving mass is less and the ability to move quickly and respond to low level detail is better. Also, higher gain phono stage is required. |
It will also help to know what your system is. Advice will mean a lot more. Someone has probably had or tried what you have, so, let us know, and we'll see who can help. |
This is what I will be using
Clearaudio EMOTION TURNTABLE W/SATISFY ARM
so want to add either a Grado Reference(MC) or Grado Statement(MM).
Music is: 40% Jazz, 40% Classical, 20% Opera |
Techno, I would imagine that would be a great combination with a Grado MC. Probably very detailed sonically. The sonic characteristics of the Grado in conjunction with the Clearaudio could end up being a very neutral combination.
That is what sucks about turntables. You can only assume what a combination will sound like until you actually hear it synergistically. The Clearaudio arm and bearing structure is extremely rigid. It theoretically will make the most of either of those Grados.
Best of luck., Ed |
None of the Grados are MCs. But many models come in different sensitivities (e.g., the Reference) and some of these sensitivities are down in what's usually considered the MC range. Confusing? Not as much as their nomenclature :-) |
All of the Grado cartridges are versions of moving magnet, not moving coil. Moving magnet cartridges have typically higher output and are sensitive to capacitive loading (capacitance of the tonearm cable + the input of the preamplifier), while moving coils typtically have lower output and are sensitive to impedance loading. That is why a moving magnet input has lower gain and fixed impedance (47k ohms) and perhaps a choice of capacitive loading. The moving coil input may have different options on gain and perhaps a choice of impedance loading (e.g., 100 ohms, 1,000 ohms and 47k ohms).
As far as sound is concerned, my preference is for a good moving coil. There is so much more detail, liveliness and sense of "air" on the top end with a good moving coil. There is a reason why there are not many premium-priced moving magnets offered. As for the really costly Grado's, like the statement, I personally do not like them. I can understand why people like their rich, warm and woody sound, but to me, they are too inarticulate, muffled sounding and shut down on top to justify their cost. The cheaper Grados are another matter. I can see why they would be preferred to some of the cheaper moving coils which can be very thin, brittle and overly bright sounding. |
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Actually, the Grados are Moving Iron (MI) - a variation on the MM theme. A Moving Iron cartridge uses a fixed coil and fixed magnets. The stylus is attached to a small piece of magnetically permeable metal (such as iron) located in the magnetic circuit between the coil and the magnet, but not to the magnets themselves. When the stylus vibrates so does the permeable metal, which in turn disturbs the magnetic field around the cartridge, which in turn generates a voltage in the coil.
The advantage is that the permeable iron can be much lighter than the magnet, yielding many of the same theoretical advantages of the moving coil. |
RE: DOPOGOE
You're not kidding about Grado's nomenclature being confusing.
I called them yesterday to see if they would clear up the descriptions for me and it helped somewhat.
Names like: Statement series Reference & Master,Reference Series, Reference & Master? Elliptical diamond or nude elliptical? High output or low output? Basically they told me that you work your way up their list on their web site to get from their standard to their best. Problem is, eight of their cartridges are listed with two on each line. Unless you know which diamond & output is better you are lost.
Good cartridges, but really confusing part numbering system.
By the way, they told me that the low output is better grade cartridge, do to less wire to travel through and the nude elipitcal diamond is the better of the two. They also told me that I was only about the second one in five years to call up and ask for clarification on their product line.
Maybe since their information email account has been down for a year folks just plain gave up... |
So THAT's why my Grado - in a low-mass tonearm or fuggedaboudid - sounds so detailed and dynamic I haven't touched my expensive MCs in months! No more artificial highlighting of the high frequencies and mucking up the timing! No moe mid-bass suckout! Ah, beautiful music instead of those constant plucked strings...where did that instrumental resonance and decay go? |
I was wondering why Grado MC was becoming such an issue since Grado doesn't make an MC.
Then I went back and read my thread. After calling myself a flaming mistyping idiot, I read the original thread.
Then I decided to say nothing.
I'm sorry for attempting to deceive the public for my own personal gain.
I hold my head in shame. But, I still feel that the Clearaudio would be a great combination with the Grado.
Even if it can't be a Grado MC. |
Busics2 they aren't even next to each other on the keyboard, come on Man! ;)-~ My vote for the Grado Reference/or Statement series. I bought a used Platinum here on the 'Gon and am completely satisfied for now, maybe not later! Need further listening experience, maybe a road trip to Chicago(Music Direct) to hear some good MC's. |
Colitas, keyboard proximity is totally irrelevant when your not thinking about what you're typing. The scary part? I own three different Grados. As a matter of fact, I think you had inquired about a Platinum I had just sold on Agon. But it was already sold.
Jsd, to make things even more confusing, all wooden models are also available in mono versions upon request with stylii options and output options.
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Stop! Please make it STOP! The confusion is killing me! But go-go Grado! If the great Harvey Rosenberg (long will his passing be mourned) devoted a section of his revered writings to the Woodies, you know they're great! |
I have both the similarly priced Grado Reference Sonata MM, and the Benz Ace(L)MC, on a Rega 600 tonearm. I had the Grado for a while, and eventually heard a hum, and realized that the wood body had a crack in it, from the screw hole, down the front of the bodt by the logo (no, I didn't crank down on the screw). I replaced it with a Benz while waiting for the repair/replacement. Luckily my pre-amp has controlable dip switches for both.
Anyway, the Benz has color coded prongs on the cartridge for the headshell wires. When I got back the Grado, I realized that the whole time, I had the left/right channels mixed up, because besides confusing nomenclature, the instructions show the wiring configuration, but has the cartridge upside down, in the picture (needle up). Why does it have to be so confusing?
OTOH, I do like the sound of the Grado better...warmer highs, and deeper bass. |
Scubabiker,
You ain't the 1st one to have criss-crossed the connections of a Grado Ref. cart & you will not be the last one either! My friend owns a Grado Ref. Sonata on his VPI Aries/JMW10 & he did exactly the same thing! Reason: the instructions show the cart. the flipped way compared to the way the user is likely to view it @ the time of mounting!
A friend was visiting & he played an Ella F. LP on my system & the vocals came from the right. We then visited my VPI owner friend & we played the same LP & the vocals came from the left! Our visiting friend said "I can swear that I heard the vocals from the right not 10 minutes ago!!" A HFN Test LP was pulled out & we discovered a criss-crossing of the headshell leads to the cart.!!
Yes, why does it have to be so confusing??? |
Glad I'm not the only one.
On another note, I called Grado after waiting 2 weeks, and they said that they hadn't even looked at my cart yet, and it will be another 2 weeks b4 they send it back, due to the fact that they are "busy". This I find unacceptable.
The next time, I am faced with a choice of products, I know which direction, I will not go in. |
Yup same here. Had the wires crossed on Statement Sonata |
