Thorens 160MKII BC Grace 707 + F9????

Grace 707 owner of 48 (!) years here. I owned a Grace F9E and F9 Ruby back in the early 1980’s.

The Grace F9E most definitely works with this tonearm. I could never get the ruby version to no sound bright and hard in my system (bi amplified Dahlquist DQ10’s at the time with AR SP6B and C-J MV75A and Ampzilla amps with double subs). I think the ruby cantilever has kess compliance than the aluminium F9E.

If you look up the compliance data for the F9E vs the F9Ruby, I really do not think you would find much if any difference in compliance. Your finding that the Ruby was bright and hard in your system does not at all gibe with my experience in my system, but that just goes to show the importance of ancillary equipment in determining one’s impression of any cartridge. In fact, one of the things I like better about the SoundSmith OCL stylus vs the stock Ruby stylus is the fact that the former does have a better more extended top end and with greater transparency. (I own two Grace Ruby cartridges, one still with its original stylus and the other with the SS max upgrade, so I have been able to compare them straight across.)

@lewm @jallan 

Thank you both for the information and insights. 

My basic system currently is a naim nait 50th running out to some martin logans. 

The naim is incredibly clear. I am worried that with the wrong choice it may shrill at the top end. 

I will give soundsmith a call and see what is available to me and any suggestions.

On a slight tangent, how do you deal with azimuth on a none removable head???

@chridabs The answer regarding azimuth on the Grace 707 is simple- you can’t adjust azimuth. Mine was correctly set at the factory. I just worried about getting the tracking angle correct, which with the Grace F9E was forgiving with its elliptical stylus. Not so true with fancy Van den Hul or Shibata styli!

My friend and I got lucky, his azimuth was good as normally mounted.

old days, you needed to improvise a strip of thin plastic or paper on one side between top of cartridge and bottom of headshell until correct, total pita.

I found this

"Just realized azimuth is adjustable on the 707! Fine-tuned it and it has made a bit of a difference, especially at the inner grooves. Unfortunately the set screw at the rear of the headshell, underneath, is a bit of a pain to access. But what an arm!"

however, another discussion says it is not adjustable and to be careful not to overtighten that screw or the plastic headshell will crack. glue was found, and it might have been factory original glue or subsequent repair glue.

I haven't seen the manual, surely IF it was a feature, it would be mentioned.

The Micro-Seiki 505 headshell fitting is adjustable, access with simple small flat screwdriver from the side while mounted. Wonderful, ought to be an industry standard.