The Grado is a safe bet! You will have to buy it and try it in your own system. Too many variables in other users’ systems to depend upon anecdotal opinions. Cartridges, like speakers, vary widely in sound quality. What pleases someone else may not please you!
MM or MI Cartridge?
Currently using an SPU Royal N with a Viv Labs 9" and Kuzma Stabi R, and I am looking for a great Moving Magnet or Moving Iron Cartridge that I won't feel short changed by.
A couple of options I am looking at are the Grado Reference "The Reference" Wood 2 and the Audio Note IQ3, has anyone had the opportunity to compare these cartridges, and any other options I should consider that you have heard against either of these cartridges?
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@jasonbourne52 so is there an unsafe bet you would recommend? |
Way back in the Days of Yore (late 70's) I had to choose between two cartridges - an MC and an MI type. The GAS Sleeping Beauty and the Grado Signature One. Both cost the same - $240. I went with the Sleeping Beauty mc cartridge - though I had to put it aside for a few months until I could afford a Mitchell Cotter SUT. The Sleeping Beauty gave much pleasure, though the Signature One would have probably served just as well! I just didn't want to pay so much for a Grado cartridge. The lowly Grado FTE ($15!) was praised by Harry Pearson. The Signature One ($240) was Grado's premium - and most expensive! - cartridge. I shake my head in disbelief when I read of a Grado Epoch costing $12K! |
I went through that phase just recently. I have owned Grados and Clearaudios, but the best so far overall was the Soundsmith Voice. It punches way above it's price point with exceptional tracking and remarkable neutrality. I gave it to a friend for his birthday and he greatly prefers it to his old Spectral (really a Lyra) cartridge. My current phono stage will not handle a high output cartridge. |
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