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Any Love for the Grace F10 L Moving Coil Cartridge

Just picked up one of these super rare cartridges and wondered if any of our members had ever owned one and if so could offer any feedback on what to expect.

I had convinced myself that I would not buy any more cartridges and had actually being selling some off to pay for a rebuild on one of my most valued cartridges. Unfortunately for me I have a weakness for those very rare vintage cartridges and I simply can't stop myself if one becomes available at the right price.

The model I have coming is the "L" version with hollow Boron cantilever (hollow boron is another weakness of mine). The specs are as follows.

  • Frequency characteristics: 20~30,000Hz±2dB
  • Output voltage: 0.75mV(5cm/sec, 1,000Hz, 45°)
  • Impedance: 23Ω±10%(1,000Hz)
  • Channel balance: within 0.5dB(1,000Hz)
  • Crosstalk: below -25dB(1,000Hz)
  • Stylus tip: 0.2×0.8mil Advanced Luminal Trace
  • Stylus pressure: 1.8gr (±0.5gr)
  • Compliance: 20×10-6cm/dyne
  • Cantilever: Boron composite
Like my other posts, I will report back with my own findings for those who stumble across this thread in the future.

Thanks.
ateal
ateal OP
97 posts
 
Thanks for the additional info Chakster. 

The F10L at 8.6grams in weight plus the included Grace HS-6 headshell at 11grams and a compliance figure of 36, sure make it challenging for tonearm matching. 

Not sure what arm to put it on. 
ateal OP
97 posts
 
Well it arrived and looks like it has had very little use indeed. Cantilever and diamond are super clean under 300x magnification. 

I installed it on my Yamaha GT2000 using the Grace HS-6  headshell it came with, giving a total mass including tonearm, headshell and cartridge is a whopping 31g. 

Measuring the resonant frequency with the HIFI News record it comes in at around 6Hz which is not ideal but it plays great with no adverse effect. 

I set the tracking force to 2.0g which is slightly above the recommended 1.8g. I did this to help with break in. 

Very first impressions were that the detail resolution of the upper frequencies were incredible. So much HF information it was overwhelming. However the sound felt a little shut in and the bass wasn’t really apparent. 

I adjusted the SRA so the tonearm was just a tiny bit tail down and continued to play albums with lots of heavy bass to aid with break in. After a couple of hours the sound stage was widening and the bass was becoming stronger and deeper. 

After a few hours it is sounding very promising albeit a little strident in the higher frequencies. 

I think it needs much more break in as the cantilever seems very stiff. 

Will update after more of a break in. 


ateal OP
97 posts
 
I have put about 15 hrs on it so far and it is starting to mellow out, thank god.

Sounding very very good and bass is getting deeper and HF less fatiguing. 

I needed to switch back to my Fidelity Research FRT 4 SUT as it is a little less revealing than the Audio Interface SUT. Maybe once it is broken in I can try the Audio Interface again.

More to come.


chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Anyone familiar with this Grace HS-7 headshell with treated holes (about 15g, aluminum die cast) ? According to model number it was release after their famous Carbon Fiber HS-6 headshell. But the HS-7 is pretty rare and probably made for grace LOMC cartridges.
ateal OP
97 posts
 
30 hrs on it now and things are getting a little smoother in the higher frequencies.

I think this this is going to take 50+ hours to fully break in.

I am still using the FRT-4 SUT. I will switch back to the Audio Interface SUT once things settle down a little bit more.

The one thing that amazes me with this cart is the expansive frequency range. From super deep bass to very fine high frequency resolution, it covers the entire audible frequency range. I have never heard any other cart like it. It digs everything out of the grooves, whether you want it or not.

It’s like everything is in super high definition, which is not always a good thing, but if that’s what you like then this cartridge gives it in spades.

Will update as I put more hours on it. 


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