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Grado Stylus Upgrade

I currently am using a Grado Gold cartridge from the Prestige line. The cartridge was bought new about a year ago and has not seen heavy use. Basically, still like new. Although the Gold is not anywhere near the top of Grado's line of cartridges it is still decent with my system. I have read numerous forums and almost all Grado users recommend upgrading the standard Gold stylus to the 8MZ stylus for superior performance. That stylus goes for $150 which is more than half of what the Gold cartridge with standard stylus costs. I am not interested in a complete cartridge upgrade at this time but am curious if the 8MZ stylus upgrade is worth the expense? I guess that any users that have this cartridge and have done the stylus upgrade consider it a worthwhile upgrade.
  
jrpnde
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,306 posts
 
FWIW - some additional info I finally recalled having.  Excerpts from a Jan 2017 personal email exchange w/Rich Grado about differences between Grado Gold vs 8MZ stylus.

Me: I’ve read conflicting info on line about whether the 8MZ V is superior to the Gold or just a relabel of the Gold stylus. Would appreciate any clarifying info you can provide.

RG: The Gold and 8MZ are not the same stylus, they use different generators. The 8MZ is meant for a JG Signature cartridge, but of course will work in any [ ]. Diamond shapes are the same. Preference is in the ear of the listener.

On the strength of that reply, I tend to agree with Yogiboy to go "up line" stylus-wise or cartridge-wise if seeking a significant improvement over the stock Gold cartridge.

boxer12
8,656 posts
 
Just ordered the XTZ today. Should be a couple days before I receive it. Any recommendations on switching the stylus's out? I can't seem to find the nifty tool that came with the signature cartridge (for this purpose) when new.  
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Great! Yep, you must be careful when you will try to pull out the old stylus assembly from the Grado. But i hope you will get the manual with new stylus and you can check the direction. They are sitting tightly, but if you will apply force in the righ direction you can pull it out manually, slowly (without that nifty tool). 
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
Thank you chakster & frogman for the advice on this stylus. I've got about 9 hours on the XTZ stylus right now & can tell you I'm really digging it. This does not sound like the same cartridge. Cleaner top to bottom with much better focus & a wider/deeper stage. Vocals are also beautiful. One question; What are you guys using to clean the stylus? I read somewhere on this forum that Grado doesn't recommend any fluid for cleaning... Just wondering. 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I use Onzow Zerodust after normal stylus cleaning brush. Not sure why this device is expensive now, i think i paid $25 including delivery. I always use ultrasonic Cardas LP for "clening" and sometime for burn-in process. 
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