i was specifically thinking about maybe moving from a grado black to an ortofon red (as the red seems to get higher reviews)
Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice
- Thread starter Joe Mac
- Start date
The Red is a barking dog. That's not an upgrade.
The Blue would be an upgrade, but you'd be better off with an an Audio Technica VM95ML.
displayname
Well-Known Member
I agree, I wouldn't make that move. Reviews aren't everything. Who's reviewing and how their taste align with yours is what matters most.
I've heard the red, I've had the Blue, and I've had a Grado black. The Grado still resides on my GF's turn table. None of the 2M Series are still around.
just to echo the above I’ve had the red/blue and a Grado Gold. The only good thing I can say about the red is that it has needle and transmits sound. The blue is good, the gold is better again, I won’t be going back to Ortofon.
apholden
Active Member
If you want to upgrade the black, check out the 8mz stylus. That was the first upgrade I made to my U-Turn, and it was a huge improvement. You shouldn't need to adjust your tonearm after swapping styli, but it wouldn't hurt to check just to make sure.
apholden
Active Member
As for the higher reviews of the Ortofon, I suspect it more that Ortofon didn't take any chances. Ortofon generally tries to accurately transmit the original sound as accurately as possible--a good, safe plan.
Grado, however, amplifies the midrange and bass more. Some people love it, thinking it sounds "warmer" or similar, while others say it's distortion and "ruins" the music.
I don't think either method is wrong, per se. It's just a matter of finding one that matches your taste. By all means experiment. Just make sure your store has a generous return policy!
Grado, however, amplifies the midrange and bass more. Some people love it, thinking it sounds "warmer" or similar, while others say it's distortion and "ruins" the music.
I don't think either method is wrong, per se. It's just a matter of finding one that matches your taste. By all means experiment. Just make sure your store has a generous return policy!
Grados to me sound more natural and lifelike. The Red to me sounds cold and sterile.
I tried a Red on my Uturn and went to the Grado Black for the same reason HiFi said above. No need really to upgrade from the Grado unless you want the 8mz stylus. I don't have one but people love them.
Slimwhit33
Well-Known Member
The guy who bought my PLX is using a Grado on it without issue..
Dylanfan253
Active Member
Dylanfan253
Active Member
On a tangent with carts from someone new to this hobby but my experience in other areas when someone suggest product a is better then product b it’s important if possible to discover why it is even if it is subjective and not inherently quantifiable. There’s nothing wrong but if someone says a like product a over b and the reason doesn’t appeal or it’s not an attribute you really want or need then it can help lead to a more “informed” decision so to speak.
Agreed.
Looking at the suggestion for @duke86fan I suggested the A/T for the following reasons:
It's got the most advanced stylus profile
It's less expensive than the Ortofon Blue
It's going to sound way better than the Red
I also like the suggestion of putting an 8MZ stylus on the Grado.
@HiFi Guy drops the mic...
tbh i dont even know what an 8MZ stylus is....
i only cared because i fell into upgradeitis and the audiophile rabbit hole of "well fremer says the ortofon is one of the best for the price and its higher priced than the grado so it must be good"
Speakers are the toughest recommendations. What you like and what I like may or may not be similar.
Is there a particular reason you want bookshelf speakers? Once you put them on stands, they become top heavy and are easier to topple as opposed to floor standing speakers.
yeah, my initial, maybe not so smart, though was that i could put em in the actual shelf i got.
the elac floor standing speakers i have are fine. no kid ran them over yet or gave them more than a slight touch
im not ruling out floor standing speakers
Which Elacs do you have? What is your whole system?
I'm not familiar with the amp. I take it Monsta Island isn't a US state or territory?
europe
yeah, the amp cost me around 40 in your freedom currency , so i dont think its anything good
You have lots of different options as opposed to what we have here. I'm going to page @Ed Selley for you. I'm sure he will have great relevant options for you.
displayname
Well-Known Member
Grado 8MZ V Replacement Stylus
Grado 8MZ V Replacement Stylus for vintage and modern Prestige cartridges
www.needledoctor.com
If you want to try the red, go for it! Honestly one of the best ways to start to form an opinion is to try stuff. Don't feel rushed about it though, you have your entire life for upgrades. Stuff will come and go. But if you're ready now, plenty of options exist. If it was my money, I'd be upgrading the Grado stylus. But I also know I prefer the Grado sound vs the 2M series because I've been lucky enough to hear both in my home.