2. analog
  3. 159648-46

Tweaking the new Grado Timbre Sonata 3

I have about 10 hours on my new Grado Sonata 3.

relevant system:

VPI Prime > Sonata 3> ARC PH3se (phono pre) > Herron 1A (preamp) > ARC Classic 60 (amp) > Thiel CS 2.4’s (speakers)

My old cart was a Nagaoka MP 500.  While good, the Grado is better overall. But the highs are a bit more extended than the Nagaoka, which seems to be a bit excessive, but just a bit, almost, but not quite sibilant.  
Alignment was done with my trusty AS Smartractor, though difficult to use on the Grado due to the long wood body overhang on the Grado. 

Raising and lowering VTA has little effect. 
My question, before I get too worried about this prior to complete break in, is will the highs “soften” up once broke in. Is that typical with Grados? Or, is it I gots what I got. 
last_lemming

Showing 5 responses by last_lemming

last_lemming OP
639 posts
 
Mijo,

I got the low output 1mv. The Nagaoka was 2.5mv and it was more than plenty, almost too much, so I went with the low output Grado. Works great from a volume aspect.

Frogman,

I will wait. It seems the prudent advice. 
last_lemming OP
639 posts
 
Not sure how I can adjust this. The unit is fixed at 47k. There are no toggles on the unit to adjust.
It does come with some resistors to attach to the rca connector and ground, then you have to solder them in. But that appears to be for MC carts. That’s why I bought the DB set of rca plug in resistors so I would have to fool with that. 
Grado says the cart is not sensitive to capacitance loading. 
Not sure that’s relevant though. 
last_lemming OP
639 posts
 
I have a kit from DB that is rca plugs with different loading values, I think up to 200 or 800 ohms, but it’s meant for MC carts, not MM. 

Would these even be worth a try?
last_lemming OP
639 posts
 
Well that is certainly what Grado recommends 
last_lemming OP
639 posts
 
Accidentally posted this in my Hum thread but it should have been posted here:

Ok. Update.
It’s not the TT, cart, stand, motor, and it’s not the phono preamp (since I changed phono pre and it still did it).

i just hooked up a different TT with a different cart set on the concrete floor, and ran it to the same preamp / amp and I’m STILL getting the pumping.
So it must have something to do with the amp or preamp.
They are both tube components, so what could be happening here? They are both old in the tooth, but what’s odd is they don’t do it with the CD player, just when the TT.
More to discover