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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
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@jaf36

I bought the 8mz stylus and installed in the Gold body. The stylus is a significant upgrade over the stock stylus. The Gold stylus doesn’t present as much treble resolution as the 8mz.

next time you can upgrade with XTZ stylus for the same cartridge, that was the best stylus in this series. 
pryso
1,927 posts
 
Not to hijack this now older discussion, but I have a related Grado question.

Among a few cartridges I got from a dealer friend when he could no longer handle vinyl playback was a Grado 8MX.  I don't recall ever seeing anything on that, only the 8MZ as mentioned here.  That collection, along with purchases from Raul's post, means I've not listened to everything yet.

So Grado experts, what about the 8MX?  Was that simply the earlier version of the MZ as the alphabetic progression would suggest?  If so, is there performance similar?
best-groove's avatar
best-groove
842 posts
 
Hi, where can I find a new replacement stylus for my MCZ and which stylus is compatible?

@pryso

The 8 MX is start of sale in the year 87/88
these specifications:

output: 3.5 mv at 3.54 cm / sec
response 10-50,000 Hz
separation channels 25db
compliance 25
tracking force 1.5 gr.
stylus twin tip
impedance preamp 47,000 Ohms
stylus replacement 8mx/s

boxer12
8,656 posts
 
Best-Groove / LP Gear or Needle Doctor. I've purchased from both of them in the past without any issues. 
jrpnde OP
271 posts
 
chakster....I am most interested in your statement about removing the existing stylus. When I bought the Grado Gold cartridge from my local dealer and their turntable expert installed it on my table I asked him the question about removing and reinstalling the stylus. He demonstrated by removing and replacing the stock stylus in a matter of about 3 seconds, Would any of these stylus upgrades be any more difficult to install?Thanks for all advice.
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