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Post by stereophile on Feb 1, 2005 12:16:51 GMT 7
Mounted the ORANGE Elektra-like cart onto a headshell and tried it out in my Technics. I tried first 1.5gms TF, it was noisy and didn't seem to track well in the groove. Increased it to 1.8 gms, somewhat better. I finally settled on 2.0gms. It seems quieter in this setting... Does anyone know the recommended TF for this cart and the AT cart? Compared to the Shure M44-7, it has more reach into the upper frequencies and less bottom(bass) & a sharper edge. It's somewhat leaner than the M44-7 and seems to pick up more surface noise. It's kinda like (pardon the analogy) a Maria Sharapova( tall and lean and always screaming) vs. the M44-7 w/c is like Serena Williams (robust, big in the bottom, works hard, but quietly). ;D I haven't tried out the AT cart. Will do in the next few days. After receiving info from johnlen about the ideal TF of the OEM Elektra cart, I decided to re-set the whole cart/headshell complex using the OEM Elektra cart. I am familiar w/ the Elektra cart mounted on GR1s having set-up a couple. I had been wondering about the disparity of performance between the two carts. I disengaged everything, and started from scratch. Mounted the cart. Attached the lead wires. Aligned it with the plastic overhang tool. Mounted the headshell to the tonearm. Set the TF to 1.7gms as per instructions of johnlen. Double checked this with my Shure stylus force gauge. Checked the cartridge alignment w/ a Shure protractor. With a blank groove track, set the anti-skate dead even. The results? MAGIC. Gone were the ticks n pops(T&Ps). The cartridge tracked better, quieter. The leaness was gone. There was now more body to the image. There was more bass, but not as much as the Shure M44-7. The midrange was now warmer--the way I remember the Elektra carts in the GR1s to be. There was nice extension into the upper frequencies, giving more detail than that of an M44-7. This was not bright, mind you. Over-all, there was a better balance to the tonality. I like this cart very much now. So what happened? Why the sudden turn around? Why was the difference like nite N day? The answer: It was all in the HEADSHELL! This is what happened. In my previous post regarding the Orange Elektra cart, I mounted it on an old, well-used, beat original Technics headshell. We are counting 20+ years of use. I then posted my feedback w/c wasn't so cheerful. This time around, I mounted the same cart on an OUT-OF-THE-BLISTER PACK BNEW AT headshell. GEEZ! What a difference a headshell makes. The results speak for themselves. I surmise, corrosion had set into the contacts of the old headshell, despite changing to bnew leads. This lead to it's erratic handling of the electrical data from the cart to the phonostage. Actually I was relieved and smiling as I auditioned the Elektra cart the 2nd time around. I will give both the cart and the headshell to break-in some more. The way it is right now, I'm a very happy camper for the price of the cart! I apologize for the angst and heartache my previous post gave those who bought the Elektra cart. I can't stop pulling LP after LP from my collection to try it out. Next stop, the AT cart. I will definitely use a BNEW AT headshell for this one. I will use the old Technics headshell for mounting a cart w/c will serve Gunk Removal from the Grooves Duty on dirty/noisy LPs. Mailyn-SORRY! SORRY! SORRY! Do accept my sincere apology!
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s2kov
Critical Listener
Posts: 353
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Post by s2kov on Feb 1, 2005 13:11:14 GMT 7
Nice try doc! So, it is indeed a Low Cost Cartridge That Sounds Good! ;D BTW, is it the Universal AT Headshell that you used?
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Post by stereophile on Feb 1, 2005 22:23:36 GMT 7
s2kov- Yes, the P300 AT universal headshell.
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Post by pican on Feb 2, 2005 9:45:58 GMT 7
mga master, pwede ba ang Grado Black sa Technics? nabasa ko sa kabila may hum daw yun combination, pwede ba madala sa adjustment yun? The hum could be caused by inadequate grounding. If it is inherent in the Black, then, all Black installations hum. They do not. Be sure that the phono cable does not cross any power cord in a T fashion. That's a sure fire way of producing hum. Isolate the phono cable as far as possible from power cords. Pican
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Post by pican on Feb 2, 2005 10:11:20 GMT 7
An important matter to consider when buying a cartridge is the its weight vis-a-vis the cartridge weigth range that your tonearm can handle. Be sure to check this out because it can severely affect the tracking capability of your cartridge.
When balancing your tonearm (after mounting the cartridge, of course), the counterweight should sit as close to the tonearm fulcrum as possible for best tracking. I mentioned this also in another forum that if the counterweight sits too far back from the fulcrum, tracking is severely compromised to the point that your cartridge may even jiggle or wiggle. This was experienced by one Grado Sonata user. He solved the problem by replacing the counterweight with a heavier one.
So, if the cartridge weight range of your tonearm is, say, 5-7 grams and the cartridge you are considering is 7 grams, that spells trouble. Unless, you can add weight to your counterweight.
Pican
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Post by jetok on Feb 4, 2005 16:20:03 GMT 7
pican,
thanks. very helpful insights.
may i ask what is the weight of grado green? is the weight of it in the range of stock tonearm and counterweight of the goldring gr1?
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Post by kimpao on Feb 4, 2005 16:47:11 GMT 7
pican, thanks. very helpful insights. may i ask what is the weight of grado green? is the weight of it in the range of stock tonearm and counterweight of the goldring gr1? Pre! mauna ka! Sunod ako! ;D ;D ;D
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Post by pican on Feb 5, 2005 7:46:07 GMT 7
The weight of Grado Black to Gold is 5.5 grams. I'm sorry but I don't know the weight range of the GR1. Let me ask someone who has one. I will get back to you shortly.
Pican
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Post by jetok on Feb 5, 2005 17:49:13 GMT 7
The weight of Grado Black to Gold is 5.5 grams. I'm sorry but I don't know the weight range of the GR1. Let me ask someone who has one. I will get back to you shortly. Pican thanks.
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Post by akyatbundok on Mar 9, 2005 11:44:49 GMT 7
Grado Green on GR1 ganda ng tunog with Basie preamp and ST70 amp -- lalim ng bass, taba ng mids, refined highs.
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Post by audioslave on Mar 9, 2005 15:53:10 GMT 7
Grado Green on GR1 ganda ng tunog with Basie preamp and ST70 amp -- lalim ng bass, taba ng mids, refined highs. i second the motion!! the moment i entered the room last saturday, i knew it sounded much better than what i've been hearing from my system... so Grado Green must be a better cart than what i have right now!!
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Post by pican on Mar 9, 2005 19:58:04 GMT 7
Glad you like it, guys. Thanks akyatbundok, Superman, and audioslave for the favorable comments. Of course, the higher you go, the better it gets. So, start saving na!
Pican
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Post by kimpao on Mar 9, 2005 21:33:50 GMT 7
Based on experience, it's night and day. From the onset, as you cue and lower the grado equipped tonearm on the lp, you can really hear the difference. Costwise, you won't go wrong with it. Makes me want to save-up for a Prestige Gold. Thanks Pic!
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Post by iceman90a on Mar 9, 2005 22:15:48 GMT 7
pwede ba ma test yang green sa sl1200? baka malakas ang hum eh...
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Post by bayonic on Mar 11, 2005 6:29:01 GMT 7
Based on experience, it's night and day. From the onset, as you cue and lower the grado equipped tonearm on the lp, you can really hear the difference. Costwise, you won't go wrong with it. Makes me want to save-up for a Prestige Gold. Thanks Pic! convincing! tanong lang sir kung pwede ... madali lang ba ang pagpalit at pag-adjust ? wala pa kasi akong test record ... force gauge ... etc. tsaka , pwede din ba ang grado sa project Debut ? and from where did you buy the grado? thanks
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s2kov
Critical Listener
Posts: 353
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Post by s2kov on Mar 11, 2005 7:12:09 GMT 7
Grado cart is available with Pican.
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Post by kimpao on Mar 11, 2005 10:19:06 GMT 7
convincing! tanong lang sir kung pwede ... madali lang ba ang pagpalit at pag-adjust ? wala pa kasi akong test record ... force gauge ... etc. tsaka , pwede din ba ang grado sa project Debut ? and from where did you buy the grado? thanks if this would be the first time you'll be changing your cart, medyo hassle, but once you get the hang of it, smooth sailing ka na. Adjustments and alignment, used those free downloadable tools offered by enjoythemusic.com for tracking force, i purchased a stylus gauge. test records, never used one since these are quite expense and hard to find, i used a cd to test for bias. haven't heard a project debut using a grado cart, yet. got mine from pican, you might want to contact him or audioden for stocks. what i know right now is they ran out of stocks for the prestige black.
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Post by audioslave on Mar 11, 2005 11:23:10 GMT 7
Grado carts are more popular with Pro-Ject TTs. so fitting your Debut with a Grado cart would likely exceed the performance of a GR1 fitted with the same cart. ;D
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Post by pican on Mar 11, 2005 17:53:29 GMT 7
pwede ba ma test yang green sa sl1200? baka malakas ang hum eh... Sorry for the late reply, Iceman. I'm afraid we can't open a new unbit for trial. Anyway, I suspect there will be a slight hum at 11o'clock with the Technics TT. Our suspicion is that because the motor of the Technics is mounted directly underneath the platter, it is inducing hum in a magnetic iron type cartridge. Regards, Pican
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Post by pican on Mar 11, 2005 18:02:20 GMT 7
Hi Bayonic,
Here are the answers to your questions:
1. tanong lang sir kung pwede ... madali lang ba ang pagpalit at pag-adjust ? wala pa kasi akong test record ... force gauge ... etc.
A. Maybe it will not be too easy for a novice but the learning experience is nice. Mandatory, though, that you have the right tools to mount/align it properly.
tsaka , pwede din ba ang grado sa project Debut ?
A. Yes, puedeng peude and Black to Gold sa Debut model. Incidentally, we will have stocks of Debut III next week. I willquote the price when they arrive. The Debut III comes fitted with an Ortofon MM cartrridge.
and from where did you buy the grado?
A. Where else but from Audio Den. As well as Project turntables and Cambridge Audio Int. Amps, CD Players.
Regards,
Pican
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