Cartridge recommendation for the working class?

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by EmmEff, Dec 29, 2016.

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  1. patient_ot

    patient_ot Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    The arm mass is still important when matching any cartridge. Many people incorrectly assume that all S-arm turntables have around the same arm mass. Some are heavier or lighter than others. My old JVC has a 21g mass tonearm (more with an aftermarket headshell), much heavier than an old Technics. One of the reasons the last cart I bought for it was a Goldring 1042 is because that cart has lower compliance and is a better match for a heavier arm than others.
     
  2. awizard

    awizard Forum Resident

    Location:
    Massacusetts
    This is the correct answer in my experience! The other suggestions trend too expensive. Then if you want to upgrade later when the Green stylus wears out add an 8MZ stylus and you will be in audiophile heaven.
     
    bluemooze likes this.
  3. patient_ot

    patient_ot Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    Just be aware that the current 8MZ like all the other current Grado Prestige styli are just bonded ellipticals like you get with the stock styli. Grado doesn't do nude styli for these anymore even though they did once upon a time. Even the very expensive XTZ, TLZ, et. al are nothing more than bonded jobs nowadays. So think about that before you throw down $ for them. You'd be better off just buying a different cart IMHO.
     
    missan likes this.
  4. awizard

    awizard Forum Resident

    Location:
    Massacusetts
    Yes just bonded ellipticals that sound fantastic! I have it mounted on my Thorens TD 160 and the owner of the shop that I ordered it through was so impressed that he purchased one himself!

    Another plus is that Grado is one of the few US companies still in the audio game if that means anything to you. Believe me the Green without the upgrade will make you happy!
     
    Roycer likes this.
  5. Chris Schoen

    Chris Schoen Rock 'n Roll !!!

    Location:
    Maryland, U.S.A.
    Ya, the AT7V is made in Japan. Looks like a nice little cart actually.
     
    c-eling likes this.
  6. patient_ot

    patient_ot Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    That is for the Japanese market only. LPG imports it as a grey market item. It's not part of the "LPG" brand of carts and LPG did not spec it.

    Agree that it looks decent for those maybe looking for a slightly lower compliance AT option that don't mind an elliptical stylus. I wonder if that is the same tip AT puts on the AT-F7 LOMC cartridge.
     
  7. missan

    missan Forum Resident

    Location:
    Stockholm
    It´s the same needle AT have had for many years, it´s a rectangular shank nude 0,2x0,7 mil. It´s top quality.
     
    patient_ot likes this.
  8. Catcher10

    Catcher10 I like records, and Prog...duh

    Well, I suspect if you call LPG and tell them you are ready to buy they will play with pricing.......Plus you have a local warranty source buying from them.
     
    macster likes this.
  9. c-eling

    c-eling They're made of light,We never would have guessed

    On a week with it. Nice midrange as stated before, if someone is looking for a 'warm' variation of an AT cart, this is probably it.
    Helped reduce some baked in sibilance issues i've had with previous styli- 150MLX, Orto Blue.
    Mates well with the Lounge and my Technics 1900. So far so good :)
    [​IMG]
     
  10. patient_ot

    patient_ot Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    You might want to read some stories about LPG and how they treat customers when things go wrong.

    Fortunately my dealings have been limited and I've never bought any high dollar item from them.
     
  11. nolazep

    nolazep Burrito Enthusiast

    I love the Nagoaka MP-110.
     
    Cyclone Ranger likes this.
  12. patient_ot

    patient_ot Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    I'm happy to support American companies when they put out a competitive product. I don't see Grado as being competitive with the European and Japanese cartridge companies, sorry. The fact that they have downgraded their product over time says it all.
     
  13. Catcher10

    Catcher10 I like records, and Prog...duh

    I have bought 2 Nags and an OC9ML/II from them....the AT had to go in for service and they treated me really well about it. I have no complaints about LPG......
     
    macster likes this.
  14. awizard

    awizard Forum Resident

    Location:
    Massacusetts
    Have you actually heard the combination that I am referencing? If you are passing judgement without having heard what I am speaking of then I am afraid that "says it all". I prefer that my ears influence my audio likes and dislikes. Specs don't move me so we will have to agree to disagree.
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2018
    macster likes this.
  15. allied333

    allied333 Audiophile

    Location:
    nowhere
    I read an article Grado makes their cartridges identical to 30-40 years ago. So, I do not get the 'downgraded their product over time' statement.
    All I know is as of this year the current Grado Green outperformed an AT-95, AT-120e and MP-110 cartridge on my high-end tube system using a rebuilt Luxman PD-272. The AT-95 and AT-120e was sibilant on female voices and that was totally unacceptable. The MP-110 did nothing wrong, but did not have that 'wow' factor of the Grado Green, The VM540ML outperformed the Grado Green at 3x the cost of the Grado.
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2018
    awizard likes this.
  16. patient_ot

    patient_ot Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    Simply not true. There were models in the Prestige range that used to have nude styli, now you can't get nude styli in the range at all. The only way to get a nude stylus is to go to one of the wood bodied ranges and pay $600 or more. That or send your cart to an aftermarket retipping specialist. I'd call that a downgrade.

    The basic moving iron design of the generator is the same, with a few minor tweaks here and there. People have measured the inductance and resistance of Grados of various vintages and they are not the same. So not identical on that front either. Not necessarily a downgrade, just different.
     
  17. patient_ot

    patient_ot Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    Perhaps they changed their approach or you just got lucky.
     
  18. patient_ot

    patient_ot Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    I have heard some of the lower-end Grado cartridges. They didn't impress me.
     
  19. allied333

    allied333 Audiophile

    Location:
    nowhere
    I think the lowest acceptable quality starts at the Grado Green.
     
  20. awizard

    awizard Forum Resident

    Location:
    Massacusetts
    So you haven't heard the Prestige body with the current 8Z. We can see clearly that you are not impressed but you should refrain from commentating on the quality of the current 8Z stylus without having heard it. I will not engage you further on this subject.
     
  21. patient_ot

    patient_ot Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    I realize there are people out there that are 100% subjectivists and refuse to put any faith in technical specs, but a cheap bonded elliptical is a cheap bonded elliptical at the end of the day. Not worth the money in the current market IMHO. Way too many other choices out there. Hitting the ignore button now.
     
    missan likes this.
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