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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
edgewear
543 posts
 
Chakster, I'm not suggesting there's something wrong with them. I'm well aware this characteristic very much depends on loading and the system as a whole, so I didn't make any value judgment based on that. But the description didn't wet my appetite either.

Actually something else came along and I decided to give the Dyna Ultimo DV-30C a chance. I've always been curious about this one, as it was highly rated by AJ van den Hul back in the day when he was still an audio reviewer. Long time ago!

Perhaps some other day I will give Grace a try.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Yeah, i remember it was hard to resist not to buy Dynavector DV30A, it was the next one after Ultima, headshell integrated, proper design from 1978, my version was High Output. Your "C" has better cantilever and stylus. Good luck
goofyfoot
1,325 posts
 

You might consider the Grace Asakura One MC. Also, I saw a review about Grado’s highest level cartridge and reviewer said it’s the best sounding cartridge he’s ever heard. I believe it sells for around $30,000.00. I’ll take three!

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