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Grado Cartridge questions.....

I drive me Vandersteen 1C's with a Rogue Audio Cronus integrated amp (EL-34 tubes) and an NAD 533/Goldring Elektra (basically, a Rega Planar 2) front end. The table is plugged directly into the amp's phono input (built-in MM phono stage). The music sounds lovely, but..... I want to improve my analog set-up (the usual "upgrade itch").

I have heard that the Grado wood body cartridges match very well with my Vandy's and my amplifier. Most of my LP listening is "classic acoustic small ensemble" jazz (Miles, 'Trane, Rollins, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, Brubeck, Peterson, Lester Young, Hawkins, Messengers, Horace Silver, MJQ, etc.) So, finally, here are my questions :

1. Grado Platinum vs. Grado Sonata ?? The $200 difference is affordable.....is it worth it ?

2. Platnum/Sonata Reference vs. Platinum/Sonata Statement ??........The higher output Reference series would allow me to use my current built-in phono stage, whereas I would need an outboard phono stage (and the necessary issues of stage and interconnect decisions) for the Statement series. What's your opinion ??

3. What $ 1000 - $1500 table/arm combo to drive the cartridge ??... Rega ?, Project ?, SOTA ?, Music Hall ?....

I'd really appreciate your feelings and advice. Thanks, and Happy Listening !!
adam18
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
The higher level wood bady Grados can sound quite lovely, particulary on acoustic music. The Sonata is a material improvement over the Platinum, and each step up from the Sonata offers improvements in resolution, soundstaging, and extension at both ends of the frequency spectrum.

If you can use and can acquire the 1.5mv output versions of these cartridges, they will provide better sonics than the 4.5mv output versions.

A Grado Sonata or Reference would be a nice match with a VPI Scout and it's tonearm. An alternative cartidge that works well with the VPI Scout, and would provide greater resolution and transparency, is the Shelter 501. But its 0.4mv output will require a competent phono stage and it is yet another jump higher in cost.
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stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,475 posts
 
..just my 2cents... I had a Grado Sonata low output on a Rega P-25. I always had a hum problem. The hum was very low, and listeners could kind of blank it out, but it always bothered me. By the way...the hum did not increase as I moved the tonearm to the area around the end of the record...it was just constantly there. I don't think that a Grado cartridge and any Vandersteen is a good match. Grado have a kind of a "tube" sound...that is, the highs seems a bit rolled off. Vandersteen's corporate sound is again, a bit rolled off in the highs. I think the combination of the 2 would be too rolled off...for me, anyway. Personally, I'd put in a Dynavektor or Benz cartridge.
fruff1976
103 posts
 
I have a Music Hall MMF-7 with a Grado Reference and it sounds great.
photon46
1,086 posts
 
I think Stringreen is giving good advice. The Grado/Vandersteen combo has the potential to be a bit too polite and rolled off. Another cartridge I happen to like would be a Goldring 1042, or even better, a Reson Reca. TNT-Audio.com has reviews of these two and I share the reviewer's opinions.
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