Qs about Grace F-9 U cartridge

Excuse me, I tried to insert a link to the pics

but it does not show in the text ... I dont know why

Sorry .... I don't know how to insert pictures otherwises on this forum.

Yes, the Grace F9 is an excellent mm cartridge! The aluminum cantilever type is fine. The price is OK ($500). Let me go take a look on the eBay Japan sellers' sites. I might find you one for less!

There is a Grace F9E for $350 + $10 shipping from eBay seller "meapc" in Los Alamos, NM. This is a very good buy!

All the Japanese sellers want around $500. I recommend buying the F9E from "meapc" !

Thank you .... But

F9E is elliptical, if I don’t make a mistake, and F9U is line contact (or shibata) if I am correct.

I always thought that shibata was a better form for the needle

and more expensive. If I decide to spend money, should not I buy the best available F9U for 500 usd than a cheaper but more ordinary F9E ?

Never heard of the U version but it may not have been exported from Japan. Price is not the only criterion for what constitutes a good deal. In a used cartridge, condition is 99% of the deal, in my book. Does the seller have the original container, and does it read “9U”? That would prove it’s OEM and not a re-tip, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing either. Yes I’d expect a Shibata to outperform an E version, and yes these are great cartridges.

well, the answer to your questions is YES

here the photos.https://wmpics.space/pm-9YCL.html Photo grace F9U

Here you can  learn about F9 different versions including U

https://file.io/VNm1gaE9TbLN

So, you've answered your own question.  If you're satisfied with the story that goes along with any used cartridge, then buy it.  Worst case scenario, if you're not happy, is you can change to a sapphire cantilever + LC stylus per the services of Soundsmith.  I did that with my OEM Grace Ruby, and I found it to be a major upgrade.

Well, thank you, I will think it over ....I have such excellent cartridges with original needles as Victor x-1/II, pioneer pc-600,  shure V-15III, AT 150MLC, sony XL-45, all MM, and only one but very excellent victor mc-5E (MC),

I wonder is Grace F9 U at the same level, and will I hear more wor different of what I hear already with what I have?

Is Your Ruby Grace F9 your best cartridge and what you compare it with?

Completely agree with lewm. I bought a NOS, new in box F9e a few years ago. The Soundsmith replacement stylus was an obvious upgrade even from an used stock stylus.

You name six different cartridges, none of which is "bad", and ask whether the Grace will stand up to them in SQ.  I only know one person who may own all or most of the cartridges you already own, and that is Raul.  So maybe Raul can offer his opinion.  But even Raul can only offer an opinion based on his system and listening acumen, which is considerable.  In the end, you have to decide.  In my partially informed opinion, the Grace has a place in that group.

No, the Grace Ruby, even with the SS upgrade, is not my best cartridge.  It's probably my favorite MM, but I own two MI types and at least one LOMC type that I would rate ahead of it, but we're talking about lofty regions of excellence.  I really don't think in these terms.  The Ruby/SS is among the 6-7 cartridges that I use, while maybe 15 others sit in a drawer.

Dear @serge8  : As lewm said Grace F9 models always has a place in the vintage MM cartridges.

Now, if your JVC is the original named JVC not Victor ( Japan Victor Company. ) the Grace F9 can't competes. JVC and Victor were manufactured by JVC for the reason that still today I don't understand the JVC performs better than the Victor. The other issue is on the overall cantilever/stylus where some of the cartridges for sale on ebasy and other sources came with " fake " replacement  stylus not original.

The other one that outperforms Grace is your AT model.

But as lewm said all those is in my room/system.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.