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From: greg@olivee.UUCP (Greg Paley)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: My damn (new) cartridge don`t work! (Grado carts)
Message-ID: <505@olivee.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 8-Oct-85 13:37:51 EDT
Article-I.D.: olivee.505
Posted: Tue Oct  8 13:37:51 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 11-Oct-85 07:07:49 EDT
References: <3900004@uiucdcsp> <518@moncol.UUCP> <5220@allegra.UUCP>
Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino, Ca
Lines: 34

> <>
> 
> About the Grado cartridge - not the cheap one.  First, there are Grado
> cartridges listed over $200.  I got the one listed for $200 for about
> $180.  It is only very slightly used should anyone wish to make me an offer.
> 
> 1.  It is poorly shielded:  I had a hum that went away when I moved the 
>     moved the turn table a further foot away from one of my mono amps
>     (it was already 2.5 feet from the amp)
> 
> 2.  It did not track worth beans on a Janet Baker recording of Mendelsson
>     songs.  Now granted, it may well have been the fault of the tone arm
>     as well (a Grace 707 - a mismatch for the cartridge, but the three
>     dealers that were willing to sell the Grado as the latest-greatest
>     did not mention anything about a mismatch with my tonearm).
> 
> Any buyers?  Dewayne

The shielding problem with Grado cartridges is one I've heard of from a
number of sources, and something prospective buyers should be warned
about.  I've heard of it being a particular problem when used with the
AR turntable and its indiginous arm.

I find it interesting that Dewayne mentioned the problem with a
Janet Baker record.  I've found several of her records with piano
accompaniment to be something of an acid test for cartridges and
speakers.  Although one might not think offhand of a solo voice
(not even a high soprano at that) and piano record as a "demo", the
fact is that her voice has a very complex timbre as well as a unique,
delicate shimmer when heard live.  Only top-notch equipment can
reproduce these - on less accurate equipment her voice can easily
sound dull and opaque.

	- Greg Paley