Well, I’m back to the old grind in a couple of days, and I’ve got a confession to make. I’ve been cheating on my Grados. Yep, they’ve been sitting next to the Beast, totally ignored.
The reasons for this are two fold: first, the stylus on my Gold3 is getting long in the tooth. Second, I’ve been waiting for a couple of factory Technics headshells to arrive. I’ve already got the upgraded headshell wires on hand.
In their stead, I’ve been using my IPT RigB 500- think A/T 540ML in a treaded aluminum housing. No cursed nuts! Yay! It’s a completely different presentation. Bass is tighter. Highs are extended. Vocals are noticeably different. Listening to my MoFi “Dark Side of the Moon” the spoken parts near the end of Side 2- Linda McCartney speaking “he was cruising for a bruising”- out in front of the mix with the Grado. With the A/T, much more recessed- her voice is even with the instruments. Which is correct? I don’t know- I wasn’t there. The RigB kicks serious ass. But if you know and love the Grado sound, the magic, it’s not there.
So, the G has taught me that spending big bucks on a cartridge isn’t necessary to get phenomenal sound. But I’d be lying if I said I haven’t looked at other options, including the four figure ones.
Looking at Grado, I have to say as I give it some thought (actually quite a lot of thought) I’m disappointed. The value proposition is off kilter. In some instances, it’s not existent. I know- the Grado faithful want to spit on me. Stick with me for a bit. There’s an idea I have at the end. No skipping ahead.
Let’s look at the Prestige series first. Black and Green go together. 3 piece cantilevers and bonded elliptical styli. Blue, Red, Silver and Gold all have 4 piece cantilevers with bonded elliptical styli. For the price of the Gold ($175) you can get the same bonded elliptical stylus with- from what I’ve read straight from Grado- a “different generator”- the 8MZ. I’m thinking they mean the little moving iron tip at the opposite end of the cantilever from the stylus. To me, the 8MZ sounds the best. I’m not convinced there’s any difference at all between the others in their respective groups.
If you want a more advanced stylus profile or even nude mounting, you have to go to a Woody. But even the first two models don’t have a nude mounted stylus: you have to go to the Sonata3 priced at $600 for a nude elliptical. And you have to exchange cartridges when the stylus is worn. A/T sells the 540ML with a replaceable MicroRidge/MicroLine stylus for $249. The RigB was $320 shipped from the UK.
One more thing- Grado shows frequency response extension to 55-60kHz with the Prestige series. First there’s no tolerance given, so the spec is completely meaningless. A/T is guilty too, but their spec isn’t over the top imaginary. Kudos, by the way to Ortofon who actually publish tolerance: that + or - however many dB after the frequency response. Why do I say “imaginary”? Because it’s impossible to get to 50 kHz with an elliptical stylus. That’s why the Shibata stylus was invented- to detect the ultra high carrier frequency necessary for Quadraphonic LP playback. Elliptical styli are incapable.
Let’s look at the Woodies a bit further. Want a Boron cantilever? Sure you do- it’s lighter and stiffer than aluminum. You can get that with a nude elliptical stylus for $3500. Yes $3500. In fact, to get (quoting 4ourEars website) a “specially designed diamond stylus” will set you back $6000. What’s so special about it? No one but Grado knows.
Knowing all this. I still love my Grados and recommend them often. But I’d like to up my game a bit. Spending $3500 isn’t in the cards. If I won the lottery, it still isn’t going to happen. I’d be too concerned about how much each side of a record costs to listen to- I wouldn’t be able to enjoy myself.
So, meet Joseph Long. He’s the answer to a question that I’ve wondered for a while.
A calling does not always ring clearly through time and space. Many struggle through life trying on jobs or careers which turn out to be a poor fit for their unique dimensions. Joseph Long followed a circuitous employment path before finding himself behind a high-powered microscope intuiting the...
www.resistormag.com
Here’s the plan: I’ll send Mr. Long my Gold3 with a worn stylus (and $475). In return he sends me back the cartridge with a rebuilt stylus with a new Boron cantilever and a MicroRidge stylus- something you can’t get from Grado for $3500. I’ll get longer stylus life and fingers crossed, better highs and better tracking. And the stylus is still user replaceable. Mr. Long told me that other customers have had awesome results upgrading Grados. He even provides photos along with separation and crosstalk readings of the finished product so you know exactly what you have.
I’ll follow up in a few weeks when it comes back.
